Sunday Fulham Stuff - 15/09/19...

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Results

Saturday
Fulham	1-1	West Brom
Blackburn	2-0	Millwall
Charlton	0-1	Birmingham
Hull	2-2	Wigan
Middlesborough	1-0	Reading
Preston NE	2-0	Brentford
QPR	3-2	Luton
Stoke	1-2	Bristol City
Swansea	0-1	Nottm Forest

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Fulham 1-2 West Bromwich Albion

Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli complained that he had been fouled by Charlie Austin

West Bromwich Albion maintained their unbeaten Championship record as they came from behind to rescue a point with a draw in the south west London sunshine at Fulham.

Both goals owed a good bit to fortune, as Semi Ajayi's controversial late headed equaliser cancelled out a left-foot attempted chipped cross from Anthony Knockaert which deceived Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in flight and dipped in at the far post.

Knockaert's 49th-minute goal - his second in three home games - looked likely to earn all three points for the hosts at Craven Cottage.

But, from deadline signing Matheus Pereira's 80th-minute corner, home keeper Marcus Bettinelli was distracted by Albion striker Charlie Austin attempting to lay his hands on him on the line.

The indignant Bettinelli and could only parry the ball tamely, allowing Nigerian international Ajayi to nod in at the far post for his first goal for the club.

Slaven Bilic's Baggies have gone behind in six of their seven games and yet still not lost in the league - earning them the most points from losing positions in the Championship this season (12).

But Scott Parker's Fulham, who remain two points behind Albion, were the better side for the first hour and went closest to breaking the deadlock before the break.

Tom Cairney evaded the linesman's flag to get free inside the box and latch onto Harrison Reed's pass, but his left-foot strike was touched onto the bar by the outstretched fingertips of Johnstone.

Reed was then also denied by the alert Baggies keeper, who reacted sharply to keep out his close-range header.

Austin, still to score his first league goal for Albion, volleyed over, then could only direct a tame header straight at Bettinelli.

And the visitors were still second best before the second-half introduction just before the hour of their first two substitutes Filip Krovinovic and Kyle Edwards, followed by Hal Robson-Kanu.

Albion even went close to a winner right on 90 minutes but Darnell Furlong's header flew wide.


Summer loan signing Anthony Knockaert scored his second goal in three home games

Fulham boss Scott Parker:

"I'm disappointed with the result and the way the match ended because for 60 minutes we controlled the game. I don't think anyone would have begrudged us if we had been 2-0 up at half-time.

"But then we stopped doing it. We went from front to back very early and played into the hands of a team that has a lot of pace on the break.

"We kept turning the ball over and, if we turn games into basketball games, we are going to be beaten because we haven't got the players to play like that.

"I want the players to understand the best way was for us to be successful is how we played in the first hour."

West Bromwich Albion head coach Slaven Bilic told BBC WM:

"We knew we would have to defend aggressively with numbers but, for the first hour, we lost the majority of the 50-50 balls.

"Then we change the mindset to what would we wanted it to be at the start and then we could smell that it was only a matter of time before we capitalised.

"They ended up more happy to hear the final whistle, which means something, especially here away, but we have to be that way from the very first minute.

"We were in their box with numbers and Semi was hungry to score. The lad is totally focused. He has been marvellous for us."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49617720

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Head Coach press conference

Scott Parker was ultimately disappointed with the result, after watching his side draw 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion at Craven Cottage.

The Whites had the better of the game throughout and got the breakthrough when Anthony Knockaert's cross dipped in, but the Baggies proved why they are promotion contenders, levelling late on through Semi Ajayi.

"I am disappointed overall with the result," said Fulham's Head Coach.

"I thought in the first-half we were dominant, had some glorious opportunities and if we went into half-time two up nobody could have argued with that.

"In the second half, we came out, played well and after the goal we probably played into West Brom's hands a little bit and go away from what we are about as a team, the way we wanted to play suited them.

"They are a counter attacking team, with a lot of pace in their front line and it turned into a bit of a basketball match very early in the half, and that was the disappointing thing really."

The Whites played out from the back throughout the game, and Fulham's Head Coach is pleased that his side displayed bravery and stuck with his philosophy.

"I feel like it's the only way we can play, and I've told the lads how brave they are with the ball because it takes a lot to do what they do," explained Parker.

"We're playing that way for a reason. West Brom are a team who like to sit back, and we needed to carve out openings.

"The easy option is for Bettinelli to bang it up to [Aleksandar] Mitrović, but for me, these players will not win football matches like that.

"What I want is for the players to believe in what they are doing, have the courage and bravery to keep doing it because, if not, West Brom could probably end up winning the game with the pace they have in their team.

"People were saying that their goal may have been a foul. It dropped under the bar from the corner and then the lad is just free to tap it in.

"It's disappointing to concede like that. I felt that was the point within the game where we had to weather the storm, which eventually proved difficult for us."

Both Harrison Reed and Bobby Decordova-Reid both started, as Parker opted for an attack-minded midfield.

"I thought Harrison was outstanding today, he played last week against Cardiff who were a tough team to face but this afternoon I thought he was immense," Parker stated.

"Bobby was the same. Both players understand what we are trying to do at this Club.

"We need a player like Harrison Reed, he was very good today."

When asked whether Mitrović felt tired, Scott said:

"If Mitro scores, he's not lacking a yard, he's on flames, he's in the form of his life. If he doesn't score, he's lacking a yard.

"On another day the crosses in the first-half fall for him and it's a different story."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/september/14/scott-parker-press conference-west-brom

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Chelsea youngsters denied by Brighton as Fulham thrash Southampton

Chelsea's Under-18 side drew 1-1 at Brighton on Saturday in a clash of two teams that went into the match with 100% records this season.

Armando Broja's close-range finish put the young Blues ahead early in the second half but the hosts responded with Lorent Tolaj's equaliser with 20 minutes remaining.

Chelsea played the final five minutes with 10 men after Xavier Simons was red-carded for a challenge on defender Bobby Copping.


Meanwhile, Sylvester Jasper scored twice for Fulham's Under-18s as they won 5-1 at home to Southampton.

The Whites' other goals were scored by Terry Ablade, Fabio Carvalho and Mika Bierith.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/chelsea/chelsea-youngsters-denied-by-brighton-as-fulham-thrash-southampton

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 Report Late Semi Ajayi equaliser earns West Brom draw at Fulham and extends unbeaten league start

Semi Ajayi's controversial equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw for West Brom against Fulham at Craven Cottage and maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

Ajayi headed in 10 minutes from time, to cancel out Anthony Knockaert's opener, after Charlie Austin appeared to impede Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli at a corner.

It was a cruel blow for Fulham who would have clinched victory long before had it not been for a inspired display of goalkeeping by the visitors' Sam Johnstone.

A game that began in soporific fashion amid shirt sleeves and shades in the mid-September sunshine sprang into life after 10 minutes.

The mood change was prompted by a delightful interchange between Ivan Cavaleiro and Tom Cairney. Cavaleiro flicked the ball cleverly into Cairney's path and then collected the return pass before forcing Johnstone to tip his shot onto the post.

Johnstone excelled himself again when Harrison Reed sent Cairney free with an angled ball. The Fulham captain's shot was firm, true and heading for the top of the net before Johnstone touched it with his finger ends onto the crossbar.

The best was yet to come from the 26-year-old Johnstone. After palming a Knockaert shot away for a corner, he produced a tip-over that was part-instinct, part-reactions but wholly brilliant to help Bobby Decordova-Reid's bouncing close-range header over the bar.

West Brom were being over-run, yet might have taken the lead had Austin not skied a volley from a Darnell Furlong cross when Fulham's marking went awry.

It was brief interruption of Fulham's dominance. Knockaert was the next to go close, scooping a Cavaleiro cross wastefully wide.

Whatever was said by West Brom manager Slaven Bilic at half-time failed to produce an instant change as Fulham continued to lay siege to the Albion goal.

First, Joe Bryan forced Ajayi to slice a clearance onto the roof of his own net. Next, Aleksandar Mitrovic headed straight at Johnstone from a corner.

Finally, Fulham finally went ahead in the 48th minute courtesy of a moment of sublime skill and imagination from Knockaert. The Frenchman curled a lob that was as precise as it was impudent over the stranded Johnstone and into the far corner.

Craven Cottage expected a change in attitude from West Brom. Surprisingly, none came, so Bilic replaced both Jake Livermore and Matt Phillips before the hour mark, replacing them with Filip Krovinovic and and Kyle Edwards, respectively.

Again, the pattern of the match continued with Decordova-Reid forcing Johnstone into another full-length save.



https://talksport.com/football/efl/601379/semi-ajayi-west-brom-fulham/

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Careless Fulham drop points against a second-best West Brom

Fulham 1 West Brom 1

Anthony Knockaert's delicious chip from the edge of the area was only enough for a point as Fulham threw away two points in a match they dominated.

It was the on-loan Brighton winger's second goal of the campaign and was celebrated with a knee slide towards the corner flag in front of adoring home fans at the Hammersmith End.

But rather than provide the springboard for a third home win of the season, the Whites allowed the Baggies to snatch a draw with a soft goal nine minutes from time, when Marcus Bettinelli flapped at a wickedly inswinging corner, allowing defender Semi Ajayi - on loan from Arsenel - to nod in from no distance.

Knockaerts's came four minutes into the second half and made up for a frustrating first half. It allowed Fulham to relax into their flowing style and Bobby Reid forced Johnstone into a save.

It seemed a second goal was only a matter of time.

But the odd Albion breakaways started to cause some concerns. Former QPR defender Darnell Furlong smashed a shot into the side netting.

Another ex-Ranger, Charlie Austin, should have done better with an attempted volley in the first half which sailed miles over but now he began to look a genuine threat.

And with Albion sensing there might be something on for them, they levelled it on 81 minutes when Ajayi profited from Bettinelli's mistake.

It had all looked to be following a different script in the first half.

A sweet exchange of passes almost paved the way for the opening goal during that dominant first half for the Whites. Tom Cairney darted onto a pass from Ivan Cavaleiro before laying the ball back for the Portuguese, whose low shot was deflected behind.

The Fulham skipper came even closer not long after, clipping the ball over the keeper but against the top of the crossbar after a slide-rule pass from Harrison Reed gave him a run on goal.

Cairney was in the thick of all the best Fulham moves as the home side monopolised possession, and his curling cross to the near post was nearly flicked in from close range by Reid.

It needed a superb instinctive save from Johnstone to keep it out and the keeper also had to be alert when Knockaert's snap shot flew low to his right.

Those near-misses would ultimately prove costly.

Fulham: Bettinelli – Sessegnon (Odoi 90), Mawson, Ream, Bryan – Reid (Onomah 85), Reed, Cairney – Knockaert, Mitrovic, Cavaleiro. Subs not used: Rodak, McDonald, Johansen, Le Marchand, Kamara.



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/2019/09/14/Careless-Fulham-drop-points-against-a-second-best-West-Brom

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Fulham 1-1 West Brom: Semi Ajayi's late equaliser punishes wasteful hosts after Anthony Knockaert's lucky strike

    Unbeaten West Brom came from behind to rescue a point at Craven Cottage
    Knockaert's attempted cross dipped in at the far post in the 49th minute
    Ajayi's scored a controversial late equaliser in the 80th minute for the visitors

Fulham's stadium may be being rebuilt but it was their defensive foundations that wobbled as Marcus Bettinelli's error cost them a win against West Brom.

The Riverside Stand will take two years to reconstruct and Scott Parker had a summer of his own renovation work in west London. On the back of this, there's plenty still to be done after Anthony Knockaert's lucky effort was cancelled out by Semi Ajayi's header.

This means Fulham have now gone three league games without a win. Their problem is obvious – with 17 shots leading to just one goal on Saturday. They lack the clinical touch needed to turn possession into points.


Semi Ajayi grabbed an equaliser for West Brom with 10 minutes remaining on Saturday

Parker was not happy: 'I'm disappointed overall with the result. The first-half we were dominant, we had some glorious opportunities.

'I think if we had gone in 2-0 at half-time I don't think anyone would have been begrudging that.

'After the goal really we played into West Brom's hands a bit and went away from how I want to play.

'We turned the game into a bit of a basketball match, going from back to front very early.'


Ajayi leapt highest to head home after Marcus Bettinelli flapped at a Matheus Pereira

The Baggies named an unaltered side while Fulham were forced into one change after Harry Arter's suspension, with Bobby Decordova-Reid taking his place.

It had little impact in the first-half as Fulham dominated. Within 10 minutes Ivan Cavaleiro had a shot blocked wide, while Cairney hit the bar. Johnstone was also equal to a curling effort from Anthony Knockaert.

Knockaert then spurned a glorious chance just before half-time before making amends after re-emerging for the second period, sending a cross-cum-shot over Johnstone's head and into the net.

Then Fulham dipped off and West Brom grew. Darnell Furlong sent the ball crashing into the side netting – an outcome that fooled the Baggies fans behind the goal – while Bettinelli had to be brave to cut out a Kyle Edwards cross.


Anthony Knockaert put Fulham ahead with a mishit cross that flew over Sam Johnstone

By the 80th minute, when Ajayi leapt highest after Bettinelli was caught under his bar, sending a parry into the defender's path, Bilic's side had deserved a goal.

The Croatian was happy with the outcome: 'We've had to come here, we got a point, we deserved a point and there's a feeling from their crowd that they were more happy with the final whistle.

'We were the ones who finished stronger. It's good for us.'

Parker agreed with Bilic's assessment: '[We] have to have the bravery to keep playing even when West Brom are in the ascendancy. If they don't do that, it's 1-1 and to be honest at the end, they could have won it.'

Home will clearly not be rebuilt in a day and Parker will have to keep redrafting his own blueprint after this frustrating draw.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7463639/Fulham-1-1-West-Brom-Ajayis-late-equaliser-punishes-wasteful-hosts-Knockaerts-lucky-strike.html

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FLW reports as West Brom snatch a late point at Fulham to maintain their unbeaten start to the season

It had all the makings of a classic at Craven Cottage with Fulham hosting Slaven Bilic's West Brom side in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Both sides had to settle for a point on the day as it finished 1-1 in the early kick-off in the Championship. Anthony Knockaert's second-half opener was cancelled out by Semi Ajayi's first goal for the Baggies with just 11 minutes remaining of the contest.

Fulham's intent was clear from the very start, with Scott Parker naming an attack-minded side for this one. Bobby Dencordova-Reid was making just his second league start for the Cottagers after signing on loan from Cardiff City in the summer transfer window.

Fulham came into the game without a win in their last three games in all competitions, whilst West Brom hadn't been beaten at all so far in this year's campaign.

Parker's men were on top in the early stages, with the first notable chance of the contest coming through a swift counter-attack, which saw Tom Cairney find Ivan Cavaleiro on the edge of the area, but his effort was blocked before it could reach Sam Johnstone in the West Brom goal.

The hosts threatened again with Harrison Reed's expertly-weighted through ball finding Cairney who beat the onrushing Johnstone, but couldn't find the back of the net as his shot cannoned back off the crossbar.

West Brom grew into the game though, although that was largely due to Fulham attempting to play one pass too many in defence, which almost let the Baggies in on more than one occasion.

But the Cottagers responded with two chances in quick succession, as Anthony Knockaert saw his effort from distance parried by Sam Johnstone, before Bobby Decordova-Reid had his header tipped over the bar from close-range.

Charlie Austin then had a golden chance to open the scoring, but he fired his acrobatic effort over the bar, despite being unmarked from 12 yards out.

Knockaert was again in the thick of the action as he spurned a good opportunity shortly before the half-time whistle, as he fired wide from close-range after great work down the wing from Cairney.

The Whites almost took the lead as Joe Bryan's well-placed cross was almost turned into his own net by Semi Ajayi just minutes after the restart.

Fulham's bright start to the second-half was rewarded on 49 minutes though, as Anthony Knockaert's attempted cross found the back of the net to give the Cottagers a deserved lead on the day.

West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone almost gifted the home side their second on the day as his poor clearance was seized upon by the Whites but Reid's effort from distance well tipped over by the shot-stopper.

The Baggies responded though, with a neat passing move seeing Grady Diangana firing into the side-netting to lift the visiting supporters who will have been disappointed by their lack of attacking intent so far in the contest.

Their pressure late on paid off as well as Matheus Pereira's corner could only be pushed into the path of Semi Ajayi who headed home the equaliser with just 11 minutes remaining to send the visiting supporters into jubilant scenes.

Neither side could find a winner in the remaining minutes, and West Brom are certain to be the happier of the two sets of supporters.

It leaves Fulham without a win in their last four games in all competitions, whilst West Brom retain their unbeaten start to the season under Slaven Bilic.

Scott Parker's side travel to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday next weekend, whilst West Brom host Huddersfield Town at The Hawthorns.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/flw-reports-as-west-brom-snatch-a-late-point-at-fulham-to-maintain-their-unbeaten-start-to-the-season/

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Bettinelli's mistake proves costly for Fulham

Fulham 1 West Brom 1

Fulham were denied what should have been an important three points at Craven Cottage despite a mainly very confident and impressive performance.

Anthony Knockaert opened the scoring for the hosts in the 49th minute, which looked sufficient, but were undone by the concession of a poor equaliser when Semi Ajayi was on hand to head home for Albion from close range.

The Whites made just one change from the side which drew 1-1 at Cardiff City prior to the international break, with Bobby Reid coming in for the suspended Harry Arter.

Albion, who were sitting two places above Fulham in fourth, found the Scott Parker's men in brisk mood early on, with Tom Cairney heavily involved in the pressing and creativity.

In the eighth minute, the Cottagers' captain slipped the ball into the path of in-form Ivan Cavaleiro who side footed against the base of the post. Shortly afterwards, Cairney then stepped up, crashing a left foot effort off the bar after a lovely defence splitting pass by Harrison Reed.

Fulham – with Cairney and Cavaleiro in particular – were full of fire during the bulk of the first half and Albion were extremely fortunate to escape on a number of occasions. Firstly, Baggies' keeper Sam Johnstone, in a panic, parried a Knockaert shot from the edge of the penalty area before tipping a Reid header over from close range just seconds later.

Knockaert really should have done better in 39 minutes however when presented with an open opportunity from twelve yards, only for the winger to miscue his effort wide of the target.

Fortunately for Fulham it took them only a few minutes into the second half before the deserved breakthrough.

Knockaert, driving into the Albion half, calmly interchanged passes with Cavaleiro and what might have appeared as a teasing left foot cross ended up looping over Johnstone and into the net. It was, though, exactly what the Whites merited.

Busy Johnstone then thwarted a fine Reid shot from 20 yards as the west Londoners set about finishing matters off. Chances were rare, conversely, for Slaven Bilic's visitors, apart from Darnell Furlong hitting the side net on an overlapping run.

Nevertheless, Albion persevered – and they got their reward in the 79th minute. Whites keeper Bettinelli could only manage to rather ineffectively palm the ball away from a corner into the path of Ajayi, who had the easiest of tasks to nod home from two yards. It proved to be an afternoon of harsh lessons for Fulham.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Bryan, Ream, Mawson, Sessingnon (Odoi, 89), Reid (Onomah, 84), Reed, Cairney, Cavaleiro, Mitrovic, Knockaert.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-west-brom-championship-report

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Controversial late West Brom equaliser salvages unbeaten record at Fulham
Fulham 1 West Brom 1

Semi Ajayi's controversial equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw for West Brom against Fulham at Craven Cottage and maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

Ajayi headed in 10 minutes from time, to cancel out Anthony Knockaert's opener, after Charlie Austin appeared to impede Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli at a corner.

It was a cruel blow for Fulham who would have clinched victory long before had it not been for a inspired display of goalkeeping by the visitors' Sam Johnstone.

A game that began in soporific fashion amid shirt sleeves and shades in the mid-September sunshine sprang into life after 10 minutes.

The mood change was prompted by a delightful interchange between Ivan Cavaleiro and Tom Cairney. Cavaleiro flicked the ball cleverly into Cairney's path and then collected the return pass before forcing Johnstone to tip his shot onto the post.

Johnstone excelled himself again when Harrison Reed sent Cairney free with an angled ball. The Fulham captain's shot was firm, true and heading for the top of the net before Johnstone touched it with his finger ends onto the crossbar.

The best was yet to come from the 26-year-old Johnstone. After palming a Knockaert shot away for a corner, he produced a tip-over that was part-instinct, part-reactions but wholly brilliant to help Bobby Decordova-Reid's bouncing close-range header over the bar.

West Brom were being over-run, yet might have taken the lead had Austin not skied a volley from a Darnell Furlong cross when Fulham's marking went awry.

It was brief interruption of Fulham's dominance. Knockaert was the next to go close, scooping a Cavaleiro cross wastefully wide.

Whatever was said by West Brom manager Slaven Bilic at half-time failed to produce an instant change as Fulham continued to lay siege to the Albion goal.

First, Joe Bryan forced Ajayi to slice a clearance onto the roof of his own net. Next, Aleksandar Mitrovic headed straight at Johnstone from a corner.

Finally, Fulham finally went ahead in the 48th minute courtesy of a moment of sublime skill and imagination from Knockaert. The Frenchman curled  lob that was as precise as it was impudent over the stranded Johnstone and into the far corner.

Craven Cottage expected a change in attitude from West Brom. Surprisingly, none came, so Bilic replaced both Jake Livermore and Matt Phillips before the hour mark, replacing them with Filip Krovinovic and and Kyle Edwards, respectively.

Again, the pattern of the match continued with Decordova-Reid forcing Johnstone into another full-length save.

Bilic responded with another substitution and Furlong sent a shot into the side-netting, while Hollywood actor Will Ferrell looked on.

Everything changed 10 minutes from time. The previously insipid Matheus Pereira's corner was swung in under the bar. Bettinelli frantically tried to re-adjust his position and may have been impeded by a flailing arm from Austin.

He could do more than paw the ball on to the head of Ajayi who had the simple task of nodding West Brom level and preserving their unbeaten start to the season.



https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/controversial-late-west-brom-equaliser-salvages-unbeaten-record-at-fulham-38497295.html

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Cottage Talk Full Time: Two Points Dropped For Fulham Against West Brom

Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This episode is our initial reactions to Fulham's 1-1 draw against West Brom. Emilio Di Nello was at the match, and gave his views on what he watched at Craven Cottage. Emilio discussed a few negatives which included the Marcus Bettinelli mistake which set up the equalizer for West Brom, and he also shared his thoughts on Scott Parker waiting too long to make substitutions in the second half. With that said, Emilio shared his positives to take away from this game as well.


Lastly, you can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/9/14/20865749/cottage-talk-full-time-two-points-dropped-for-fulham-against-west-brom

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Parker wants end-to-end action to stop after Fulham draw

Fulham manager Scott Parker insisted that Fulham can only gain promotion this season by playing football, not basketball, after a dominant display against West Brom at Craven Cottage only earned them a 1-1 draw.

The deliberate control-based possession that Parker preaches on the training ground saw Fulham create and miss a host of chances in the first hour, apart from an Anthony Knockaert cross that dipped under the bar to give them a deserved lead.

What happened next left Parker a helpless and worried spectator as West Brom forced a draw though a Semi Ajayi goal and might have stolen all three points.

Parker said: "I'm disappointed with the result and the way the match ended because for 60 minutes we controlled the game.

"The players were incredibly brave in the way we were playing because West Brom were wanting us to come onto them quickly and it takes a lot of courage to play out from the back.

"There is a reason we do that, though, especially today. We dominated the first half and had some glorious opportunities. I don't think anyone would have begrudged us if we had been 2-0 up at half-time.

"But then we stopped doing it. We went from front to back very early and played into the hands of a team that has a lot of pace on the break.

"We kept turning the ball over and made it into a basketball, a 50-50. I was standing on the sidelines and I started feeling that we were vulnerable. In the end if West Brom had won the game, we might have had to say they deserved it at that point.

"It just proved the way that I want the players to play. If we turn games into basketball games, we are going to be beaten because we haven't got the players to play like that.

"I want the players to understand the best way was for us to be successful is how we played in the first hour."

Parker insisted that his players have to keep ignoring the pleas of the Fulham fans to move the ball more quickly front to back.

He added: "It would be easy to just have Marcus Bettinelli bang the ball up to Aleksandar Mitrovic. It takes more courage and bravery to play how I want us to play. In a way it makes my job easier for next week because today proves that."

For West Brom manager Slaven Bilic, the worry was the exact opposite – how to ensure his team play with as much passion, commitment and nous in the first 60 minutes of games as they have in the final half-hour.

The point keeps Albion unbeaten after seven games, yet the Croat is adamant his side's start would be even better if they did not have to keep coming from behind in games.

Bilic said: "It was a fair result. Fulham are a good team, one of the favourites to go up and they can take you back to your own box.

"In the first part of the game, we were trying to press them too high on each individual. That's what they want and we had to change it and not press unless you can smell the moment to do it.

"But then we showed again what a good squad we have, what character we have and how resilient we are. By the end of the match, they were more happy to hear the final whistle than we were.

"Being unbeaten after seven games is nice and it gives you that little bit of extra confidence. But I'd rather that we score earlier in games.

"There's never a bad time to score a goal, but I'm not happy that we have to concede a goal in order to play at our top level. Having said that, this is definitely one of the hardest grounds to come to in the Championship."



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/parker-wants-end-end-action-stop-after-fulham-draw#YbLYlKQCvD16FDvI.99

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Scott Parker compares Fulham performance to basketball

Fulham manager Scott Parker insisted that Fulham can only gain promotion this season by playing football, not basketball, after a dominant display against West Brom at Craven Cottage only earned them a 1-1 draw.

The deliberate control-based possession that Parker preaches on the training ground saw Fulham create and miss a host of chances in the first hour, apart from an Anthony Knockaert cross that dipped under the bar to give them a deserved lead.

What happened next left Parker a helpless and worried spectator as West Brom forced a draw though a Semi Ajayi goal and might have stolen all three points.

Parker said: "I'm disappointed with the result and the way the match ended because for 60 minutes we controlled the game.

"The players were incredibly brave in the way we were playing because West Brom were wanting us to come onto them quickly and it takes a lot of courage to play out from the back.

"There is a reason we do that, though, especially today. We dominated the first half and had some glorious opportunities. I don't think anyone would have begrudged us if we had been 2-0 up at half-time.

"But then we stopped doing it. We went from front to back very early and played into the hands of a team that has a lot of pace on the break.

"We kept turning the ball over and made it into a basketball, a 50-50. I was standing on the sidelines and I started feeling that we were vulnerable. In the end if West Brom had won the game, we might have had to say they deserved it at that point.

"It just proved the way that I want the players to play. If we turn games into basketball games, we are going to be beaten because we haven't got the players to play like that.

"I want the players to understand the best way was for us to be successful is how we played in the first hour."

Parker insisted that his players have to keep ignoring the pleas of the Fulham fans to move the ball more quickly front to back.

He added: "It would be easy to just have Marcus Bettinelli bang the ball up to Aleksandar Mitrovic. It takes more courage and bravery to play how I want us to play. In a way it makes my job easier for next week because today proves that."

For West Brom manager Slaven Bilic, the worry was the exact opposite – how to ensure his team play with as much passion, commitment and nous in the first 60 minutes of games as they have in the final half-hour.

The point keeps Albion unbeaten after seven games, yet the Croat is adamant his side's start would be even better if they did not have to keep coming from behind in games.

Bilic said: "It was a fair result. Fulham are a good team, one of the favourites to go up and they can take you back to your own box.

"In the first part of the game, we were trying to press them too high on each individual. That's what they want and we had to change it and not press unless you can smell the moment to do it.

"But then we showed again what a good squad we have, what character we have and how resilient we are. By the end of the match, they were more happy to hear the final whistle than we were.

"Being unbeaten after seven games is nice and it gives you that little bit of extra confidence. But I'd rather that we score earlier in games.

"There's never a bad time to score a goal, but I'm not happy that we have to concede a goal in order to play at our top level. Having said that, this is definitely one of the hardest grounds to come to in the Championship."



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/scott-parker-compares-fulham-performance-to-basketball_371423.html

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'He's swimming' Slaven Bilic explains THAT West Brom decision in Fulham comeback

Zohore, the £8m summer arrival, has two goals to his name this season and impressed from the bench, or Robson-Kanu, the forward who has struggled with injury but who netted a reserve team treble in the week?

Slaven Bilic backed his own judgement as he turned around to assess his own options with 20 minutes to go.

With Albion a goal behind at Fulham, and with only a single substitute left to use up, it was a straight shoot-out between Kenneth Zohore and Hal Robson-Kanu.

Zohore, the £8m summer arrival, has two goals to his name this season and impressed from the bench, or Robson-Kanu, the forward who has struggled with injury but who netted a reserve team treble in the week?

Bilic opted for the latter - and it paid off.

Robson-Kanu joined in seamlessly with Albion's attack as they went in search of an equaliser that eventually arrived via Semi Ajayi.

"Kenneth came on a few times for us and did really good," Bilic explained. "I don't know why but I felt that this is the game for Hal.

"Hal's a good player. He's got the touch between the lines, he's swimming and roaming between the lines. He can turn. That's Fulham's strength, but they don't have an old fashioned holding midfielder that'll sit there and mark a number ten - especially when that number ten is a striker, like Hal.

"For defenders, when you're winning, it's not comfortable to go and mark that player. For Hal, he's perfect for that. He's got that touch, he knows where he is.



"He can play the balls to the wingers, and we are good there, or to Charlie.

"That's why I opted for Hal, and it proved a good decision."

They're still waiting on their first clean sheet of the season, and are still to escape the habit of conceding first, but largely Ajayi and partner Kyle Bartley were excellent.

The pair worked together to silence Aleksandar Mitrovic, the in-form Serb who is widely considered to be the best centre-forward in the division.

Bilic didn't need to warn his back-line of Mitrovic's threat, but he was left pleased with how the duo - potentially slugging it out for a place once Ahmed Hegazi returns - dealt with the imposing striker.

"I know Mitrovic. We're from the same part of Europe. Top player. Makes a difference, strong, a great finisher," Bilic added.

"I told my centre backs that they'd have to take care of him, but they're good centre backs. They're physical, both are good on the ball when they're confident.

"Semi has the pace of a centre forward, which helps us a lot to keep a high line."

Keeper Sam Johnstone, too, offered another accomplished display of shot stopping. The Albion stopper tipped a Tom Cairney strike onto the crossbar, something that the officials didn't pick up on, before he denied both Anthony Knockaert and Bobby Reid with fine reaction stops within the space of ten seconds.

"A couple of good saves. That's why he's there. I expect him to make those saves, but he's a top goalkeeper. Not only with his feet, but with his blocks and hands," Bilic continued.

"I do not hide it - we are happy to have him. He's very important and a big part of our team. He's one of the biggest reasons we're unbeaten after seven games.

"It gives you that little bit of extra confidence."



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hes-swimming-slaven-bilic-explains-16920124

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Bettinelli blunder costs Fulham dear

A terrible goalkeeping error from Marcus Bettinelli cost Fulham the chance of ending West Brom's unbeaten start to the season as Scott Parker's side had to settle for a point having dominated the Championship's early kick off this afternoon.

Bettinelli, who was furious at the award of the goal having felt he had been impeded by Charlie Austin as he tried to reach Matheus Pereira's corner, only managed the tamest of contacts and allowed Semi Ajayi to head home the simplest of equalisers. The tall centre back was delighted to score his first goal for West Bromwich Albion, who were rewarded with a point for their late pressure on the Fulham goal.

The home side looked likely winners once Anthony Knockaert chipped Sam Johnstone from a tight angle outside the penalty area four minutes after half-time, although the on-loan winger later confessed that he was trying to find a team-mate at the far post. The goal was fitting reward for Fulham's first-half dominance, but it would have worried Parker that his side are still labouring fruitlessly in front of goal despite enjoying so much possession.

Slaven Bilic's side were disciplined in defence and set up to try and frustrate Fulham but the home side still fashioned a number of chances as they probed away patiently. Ivan Cavaleiro, who endured a frustrating afternoon out wide as he struggled to find a final ball, had a couple of early shots blocked and then an outstanding tackle from Nathan Ferguson denied Bobby Decordova-Reid as he prepared to pull the trigger.

Fulham should have taken the lead midway through the first half when a brilliant bit of vision by Harrison Reed freed Tom Cairney in behind the Baggies defence. The Fulham skipper opted to go high as he bore down on Sam Johnstone but the West Brom goalkeeper managed to tip his finish onto the bar. The former Aston Villa custodian then produced a couple of excellent reaction saves to deny Knockaert and Decordova-Reid in quick succession.

The pattern persisted into the second period, with a desperate lunge from Ajayi almost ending up in his own net as he tried to deal with a dangerous cross from Joe Bryan. Johnstone gathered a downward header from Mitrovic from a set play but Knockaert's opportunistic finish appeared to set Fulham on the way towards three points – although Parker's side failed to find the killer instinct.

The expected surge of Fulham pressure never really materialised with Johnstone turning over a Decordova-Reid shot on the turn and a long-range effort by Bryan was deflected wide. Instead, Albion were rejuvenated by Bilic's double change midway through the second half when he threw on Kyle Edwards and Filip Krovinovic to inject some life into their attack.

Darnell Furlong flashed a drive into the side netting, but Fulham failed to heed the warning and retreated deeper and deeper. Ajayi nodded in the equaliser and the Baggies might well have nicked a winner as well when Furlong headed agonisingly wide from another Pereira corner. Fulham will need to be much more assertive if they have serious ambitions of joining the automatic promotion race.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Bettinelli; S. Sessegnon (Odoi 90), Bryan, Mawson, Ream; Reed, Decordova-Reid (Onomah 85), Cairney; Knockaert, Cavaleiro, Mitrovic. Subs (not used); Rodak, Le Marchand, McDonald, Johansen, Kamara.

BOOKED: S. Sessegnon, Odoi.

GOAL: Knockaert (49).

WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Ferguson; Livermore (Krovinovic 59), Sawyers; Phillips (Edwards 59), Pereira, Diangana (Robson-Kanu 69); Austin. Subs (not used): Bond, O'Shea, Brunt, Zohore.

BOOKED: Furlong.

GOAL: Ajayi (80).

REFEREE: David Webb (Lancashire).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2019/09/bettinelli-blunder-costs-fulham-dear/

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'Sublime' – These Fulham fans react to summer signing's performance in West Brom draw

Anthony Knockaert helped Fulham draw one-all with promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion at Craven Cottage and many fans of the club have provided their verdict on his performance.

Knockaert opened the scoring for Scott Parker's side just after half-time, lobbing Sam Johnstone with a cross-come-shot from the edge of the box.

The Baggies grabbed an equaliser late on, with centre-back Semi Ajayi popping up to convert a rebound from a corner in the 79th minute.

The result sees Fulham drop out of the top-six and slide down the Championship into tenth, while West Brom fall to sixth in the table.

Knockaert's goal is his second in seven games for the club after he arrived on-loan from Brighton in the summer.

Parker will be hoping the winger can return to the level he reached in his previous season in the Championship, when he scored 15 goals and provided nine assists for the Seagulls in the 2016/17 campaign.

The Craven Cottage faithful appear to have mixed thoughts on the Frenchman's performance against the Baggies, with many praising his goal and others suggesting it papered over the cracks of what was a poor display overall.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sublime-these-fulham-fans-react-to-summer-signings-performance-in-west-brom-draw/

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U18 Report: Fulham 5-1 Saints

Southampton's youngsters fell to a 5-1 defeat against their Fulham counterparts in the Under-18 Premier League on Saturday morning.

Two first-half goals from Sylvester Jasper and Terry Ablade left Saints with it all to do at the break, and despite Jack Turner pulling one back, Jasper grabbed a third before Fabio Carvalho's strike was added to late on by Mika Bierith.

The hosts were quickest out of the blocks and Carvalho was first to test Ollie Wright, with a low, right-footed effort towards the near post.

But the deadlock was broken on 12 minutes when Terry Ablade was set free down the left, got in behind Ryan Cluett, and found Jasper inside the box. The forward took a touch before neatly dispatching the ball into the far corner.

Just two minutes later, that combination was reversed as Jasper slipped the ball into the path of Ablade, who ran on to finish low past Wright.

Further chances came, but Paul Hardyman's young charges had their first opening soon after. A neat interchange between Seamas Keogh and Marco Rus helped tee up James Morris, but the full-back's shot was well blocked.

Rus was involved again just before the break. Jayden Smith set the ball into his path on the edge of the area and he took a touch to set himself before striking a left-footed shot that was comfortable for George Wickens.

On 54, Morris's deep cross from the left was only half-cleared and Turner hit a sweet strike from distance to reduce the deficit.

Buoyed by that, a spell of pressure followed. Saints were almost level when Kazeem Olaigbe's clever backheel allowed Morris to drive a low effort across the face of goal and agonisingly wide of the far corner.

Turner almost had his second on the hour mark when he raced into the box, only to be thwarted by the onrushing Wickens at close quarters.

Fulham were to extend their advantage though. On 69 minutes, Carvalho played Jay Stansfield in down the right and his cross was finished off by Jasper.

Further goals from Carvalho and Bierith late on completed the scoring on a tough day at Motspur Park.



https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2019-09-14/u18-report-fulham-southampton-under-18-premier-league-1920

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Fulham loaning out this forgotten 25-year-old ace in January would be the best move for all parties

Why Fulham need to make a call on the future of Ibrahima Cisse in January

It has been somewhat of a mixed start to the campaign for Fulham upon their return to life in the Championship and Scott Parker's side haven't really been able to do justice to their tag as one of the favourites for promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

After suffering relegation from the Premier League, the high-profile names like Jean Michael Seri, Fabri, Ryan Babel, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Ryan Sessegnon and Rui Fonte all departed Craven Cottage in the summer, either on loan or on permanent deals.

Meanwhile, Fulham chose to bring in a few previously proven Championship talents to plug the holes.

The likes of Harrison Reed, Harry Arter, Ivan Cavaleiro, Anthony Knockaert and Bobby Reid were all arrived on loan deals from various clubs and Parker has plenty of positives to take from how the fresh summer recruits have fared in the first few rounds, despite a patchy start to the new season.

Yet, there are some who are still left lost in the cold at Craven Cottage and will be expected to push for a departure in January, with defensive midfielder Ibrahima Cisse being a prime example of a player who has found himself completely frozen out of the first-team fold.

Born in Belgium to parents of Guinean descent, Ibrahima Cisse rose to prominence at Standard Liege before making a move to Fulham ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

The Cottagers would then go on to secure promotion to the Premier League under the stewardship of Slavisa Jokanovic but the midfielder never really played a big part in the club's promotion-winning campaign.

When Cisse only started once in the Premier League the last term, the writing seemed to be on the wall for the 25-year-old, and with Fulham adding Reed and Arter to an already well-stocked midfield unit consisting of Tom Cairney, Stefan Johansen and Kevin McDonald, he was never going to get a look in from the manager.

To that end, a loan move elsewhere or even a permanent move away from West London in the summer would have made perfect sense for both parties involved. Surprisingly enough, though, Parker opted to retain his services for some unknown reason.

Well, whatever might have been the reason behind that stance, the result is there for everybody to see. Leave alone a single appearance, Cisse has not even managed to make it to the matchday squads for any of the club's fixtures thus far, which clearly indicates that he is too far down the pecking order.

Barring a serious injury crisis at the club, things are unlikely to change for Ibrahima Cisse in the coming months and Fulham should make amends by arranging a loan deal for the midfielder in January.

Of course, A permanent move elsewhere would be a better settlement but given his lack of playtime in recent seasons, the Cottagers might find potential suitors hard to come by.

Constantly sitting on the sidelines at the age of 25 is not something that any professional footballer wants and it hardly makes sense for Fulham to pay him the wages for doing next to nothing.



https://soccersouls.com/why-fulham-need-to-make-a-call-on-the-future-of-ibrahima-cisse-in-january/