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Thursday Fulham Stuff - 24/10/19...

Started by WhiteJC, October 22, 2019, 08:37:47 AM

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WhiteJC

Results



Wednesday
Bristol City
2-1
Charlton
Derby
1-0
Wigan
Fulham
3-2
Luton
Huddersfield
0-0
Middlesborough
Nottm Forest
1-2
Hull

WhiteJC

Fulham 3-2 Luton Town


Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 34 goals for Fulham since arriving from Newcastle in February 2018

Aleksandar Mitrovic finished the night out on his own as the Championship's top goalscorer after hitting his first Fulham hat-trick to beat Luton Town at Craven Cottage.

The Serbia striker took his tally to 11 for the season - three clear of the rest - as he opened the scoring on 16 minutes before adding two more in the second half either side of Dan Potts pulling one back for the Hatters.

Kazenga LuaLua gave Luton late hope with a 93rd-minute strike but it was not enough to prevent their second straight away defeat.

Ivan Cavaleiro set up Mitrovic to slam home right-footed from 15 yards to give Fulham the lead - and there could have been more goals for Fulham before the break, Anthony Knockaert going closest when his dipping curled left-foot shot flew just over the bar.

But the Whites doubled their lead on 53 minutes when Mitrovic turned in Bobby Decordova-Reid's low centre from close range.

Potts gave the Hatters hope with his header on the hour, his first goal in just over a year, since he got a last-minute winner at Oxford.

But Fulham finished off the visitors on 67 minutes when Joe Bryan guided in a beautifully-weighted left-foot cross from mid-way inside the Luton half and Mitrovic got down low to head home and complete his first treble in club football.

Fulham climb to seventh in the table as they responded to Saturday's disappointing defeat at Stoke, while Luton are now just four points clear of danger.

Fulham manager Scott Parker:

"In the first half we were very good and should have gone in with a more comfortable lead than 1-0, but we were not clinical with the opportunities we got.

"We got a bit nervy at the end and were desperate for the win after a poor result at the weekend.

"I am delighted with the boys, as we looked very frightening and we dug out a result. At times we played some lovely football."

Luton boss Graeme Jones told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"The first thing we have to accept is they are an exceptional team with an exceptional budget. It is not a level playing field.

"In the first half we gave them a little bit too much respect, but we changed the shape in the second half and took the game to them - so there are some pleasing aspects.

"There were key moments that didn't quite go our way, and that is probably why we lost. There is another level we need to go to to be ruthless."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50064659

WhiteJC

Head Coach press conference

Scott Parker was thrilled with the way the team bounced back after defeat at Stoke to beat a Luton Town side at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

There was high praise for hat-trick hero Aleksandar Mitrović as well as the team around him who created countless chances throughout the game.

Mitrović bagged three goals to secure a 3-2 win over the Hatters who scored in the 93rdminute to make the score line seem more respectable.

"I think it could've been a bigger lead, we played some really good stuff in the first-half and cut them open at times," said Parker.


"Probably our early downfall was that we weren't clinical enough in the right areas. We got the ball there and we got some big opportunities but going in 1-0 it felt like from where I was watching that we were in full control and that we should've gone in a bit more in front.

"Then second-half 2-0, Luton haven't got a lot to lose and they start putting bodies into the box and they commit a lot of men and then get a goal back and the game became a bit edgy, but before this game I said to the team and in my interviews to the press that the most important thing this year will be when we face a little bit of adversity or have a bad result it's about how we're going to bounce back and tonight the key thing was the result and the key thing for me was that we saw the result out.

"For large parts of this year, Sheffield Wednesday comes to mind where we dominated the game, should be home and dry and they get a late equaliser, what pleased me the most tonight is that we saw the game out got a win and now we move on again."

Mitrović was the key man bagging three impressive goals and Parker could only credit his star striker as well the rest of the team for executing his game plan thoroughly.

Parker said: "I think we all realise the quality Mitro has, certainly in this division, he scores goals. I think Mitro would be the first to say it's the supporting act around him as well, and I thought the players around him, how we build this team and the positional way we play, ultimately Mitro is at the end of it to finish it off.

"Of course nine times out of ten if we get the ball in the right areas or the right place then the ball goes in the back of the net. I think he would be the first to say the players around him are a massive supporting act as well for him to achieve that."

Parker's attention now turns to Middlesbrough away, and with his side currently sitting just outside the Play-Off spots in seventh place, there is still work to be done.

"The table is mad, I think we realise the league is very different to the Premier League. We need to stay in and amongst it, as I said I can only see us getting stronger, and I feel we're in the right place.

"Of course moving up the league is important but we must take it one game at a time. We go to Middlesbrough on Saturday after a two day turn around and will try to get a result there," he said.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/october/23/scott-parker-press conference-luton


WhiteJC

Fulham 3-2 Luton Town: FLW reports as Mitrovic proves the difference at the Cottage

Fulham recorded a 3-2 victory at home to Luton Town on Wednesday night at Craven Cottage, though they didn't always have it their own way.

Going into the game, the two sides were arriving on the back of very different fortunes from the weekend.

Whilst Fulham were looking to make amends after a loss at Stoke City, the Hatters were aiming for another win, days after beating Bristol City 3-0.

The game against the Potters saw Fulham – as ever this season – dominate the ball but, as has been the case too often for Scott Parker's liking this year, they didn't do enough with it.

Against Luton, then, they wanted to change that, though the early passages of the game suggested that we were in for more of the same from the Lilywhites.

Plenty of probing began in the opening stages but occasionally the passing was sloppy, and it was from a loose ball Luton had the first clear-cut chance of the game, Izzy Brown playing in James Collins to fire wide.

Indeed, that was an early warning that Luton were going to pose a threat when they did get the ball, and they'd underline that later on, but just a minute later the home side took heed and hit home.

This, eventually, would prove a game that highlighted exactly why – as if it needed further emphasis – Aleksandar Mitrovic's staying at the Cottage was so celebrated in the summer.

The Serbian, played in by the bright Ivan Cavaleiro, slammed home for the first of three to open the scoring.

For much of the first half, too, the pattern continued. Fulham had a lot of the ball – they always do – but lapses in concentration offered Luton hope that they could get something.

Again, a loose ball saw Izzy Brown this time feed Collins, the Irishman could only fire over though as we got towards half-time.

A couple more chances would come for Fulham, with Knockaert just whipping over from the edge of the box, whilst Mitrovic gave his hamstring a thorough stretch as he tried to get enough on a Joe Bryan cross. He couldn't, though, and 1-0 it was at half-time.

During the break, the feeling in the Luton dressing room must have been one where they knew they could now compete and, indeed, the start of the second half was theirs. Harry Cornick found the side netting very early on, whilst both James Collins and Izzy Brown, in the space of a couple of seconds, could have drawn the Hatters level.

However, as Fulham themselves have found out to their cost at times this season, you have to make possession count with goals, and it was that man Mitrovic who served that reminder – scoring from Fulham's first real attack in the second half as he prodded home from Bobby Reid.

Enough to knock the stuffing out of the away side? Not likely. The Hatters rallied again and quickly, deservedly for their second-half endeavours, got themselves a goal. Izzy Brown's free-kick found an onrushing Dan Potts who stooped in his header.

A fair few groans went up around the Cottage at that point – and that wasn't the only time during this one – with Fulham doing plenty right but also just enough wrong to offer the Hatters hope.

One man, though, proved the difference tonight, and that was Mitrovic. A 'one-from-the-training-ground' set-piece saw Bryan whip in for the Serbian and his diving header was only going to one destination.

Having a striker like that in this league – as proven in 17/18 – often pays dividends and, here, on an at times nervy night, it was the big striker that proved the difference, with Luton earning a late consolation goal right at the end.

Make no mistake, Fulham deserved this win and were the better side, but this was a performance that Scott Parker will feel he can work on in the coming days.

For Graeme Jones, this Luton showing was promising, but just lacked that cutting edge – what they, and anyone in this league, would give for a forward like the hat-trick scorer.

Luton, then, can take heart from this performance – they did offer the hosts a scare particularly early on after the break, whilst Fulham got themselves back on track in this oh-so-tight promotion race and with such fine margins as there were tonight, they'll know they have the key attribute that could make the difference in the end.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-3-2-luton-town-flw-reports-as-mitrovic-proves-the-difference-at-the-cottage/

WhiteJC

Unstoppable Mitrovic fires Fulham to win against Luton

Fulham 3 Luton Town 2

An Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick got a rampant Fulham back to winning ways.

The Serb opened the scoring on 16 minutes and grabbed two more after the break to take his tally of domestic goals in another increasingly prolific season to 11.

Scott Parker was looking for a reaction following Saturday's supine defeat at Stoke and the early strike – after Ivan Cavaleiro had played a short pass across the edge of the box from the left – was just what the doctor ordered.

Mitrovic needed no second invitation, side-stepping a defender before unleashing a rocket that keeper James Shea could only wave at as it passed him.

That lit the blue touch paper and soon the night's stand-out player was stinging the keeper's palms with another rasping drive,  hooking a bicycle kick over the bar and sliding within inches of a searching low cross from Joe Bryan.

It was no surprise when Fulham's talismanic striker made it 2-0 after 53 minutes with a simple three-yard tap-in from a low Bobby Reid pass across the face of goal.

Dan Potts reduced the arrears on the hour when he got in front of Bryan to apply a stooping header from a free-kick by Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown.

But Mitrovic was never going to be upstaged and he restored the two goal advantage on 68 minutes to effectively close out the contest, getting on the end of a Bryan cross after a short free-kick routine – the Serb's glancing header finding the bottom corner.

Sub Kazenga Lualua grabbed a late consolation deep into injury time, touching home a low cross to the far post, but the points were safe.

Fulham led 1-0 at the break but the scoreline was a travesty, such was the abundance of chances they carved out against a perpetually over- stretched Luton defence.

Anthony Knockaert almost cleared a space for Reid but the Luton defence smothered. Tom Cairney and Cavaleiro carried on exposing an over-worked Hatters rearguard to give Knockaert an opening – the winger firing just over.

Before the opening goal, the Whites almost paid for sloppy defending and Brown played James Collins in for a shot at goal which flew towards the far post. But Marek Rodak, in for the league debut in goal was not required to make a save.

Rodak was again no more than an observer when Harry Cornick hit the side-netting early in the second half and Luton showed more spark, with Brown having a close-range shot deflected behind.

But soon after, Knockaert combined with Reid down the right and a low pass gave the Mitrovic his second of the evening, and although there was a response from the Hatters, Mitrovic had one more duty to perform.

Line-up: Rodak – Odoi, Mawson, Ream, Bryan – Reed (McDonald 85), Cairney – Knockaer (Onomah 70), Reid (Johnansen 80), Cavaleiro – Mitrovic. Subs not used: Bettinelli, Le Marchand,  Sessegnon, Kamara.



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/2019/10/23/Unstoppable-Mitrovic-fires-Fulham-to-win-against-Luton

WhiteJC

Hatters beaten by Mitrovic's treble

Championship: Fulham 3 Luton Town 2

Luton were handed a lesson in finishing by Fulham striker Aleksander Mitrovic who notched a masterly hat-trick to just about defeat the Hatters this evening.

The Serbian talisman showed exactly why the Cottagers forked out £22m for him back in July 2018, as although he rarely left his centre forward's position, he didn't need to, hardly breaking sweat to notch a match-defining treble.

Town had their moments on the night, and had Kazenga LuaLua's goal to make it 3-2 not come in stoppage time, they might have had a chance to snatch a point, but were ultimately done by the forward's class, as will no doubt a great many teams at this level over the season.

The Hatters were unchanged for the clash, Izzy Brown and James Bree both recovering for their knocks picked up during Saturday's 3-0 win over Bristol City.

Fulham might have been ahead inside two minutes, Anthony Knockaert's header glanced wide by Denis Odoi, while Ivan Cavaleiro snatched at his shot from outside the box.

After being devoid of possession early on, the Hatters gathered their thoughts and almost were in front when Collins won it back upfield and was found by a delicious outside of the boot through ball by Brown.

He got there ahead of keeper Marek Rodak, but missed the top corner by a matter of inches.

Just as Town looked to be getting a foothold in the contest, they were behind though with a goal of their own making on 16 minutes, Matty Pearson's ill-judged pass inside picked up by Cavaleiro.

He then rolled it into Mitrovic, who made space inside the area, fending off Sonny Bradley's attentions and unleashed a rocket past James Shea that was in the moment he pulled the trigger.

Fulham looked for a second, Shea having to hurridly palm away as Tom Cairney broke into the box, before deflecting Knockaert's effort with his legs and then diving full length to parry from the classy Mitrovic, who sent an ambitious bicycle kick over the top.

Knockaert curled off target from a decent position, as Luton's best chances came when Brown was in possession and driving into space, as he outmuscled Odoi to feed Collins, who sliced wide on his left foot.

On-loan Brighton attacker Knockaert should have doubled Fulham's lead on 36 minutes, found in space by Cavaleiro but fired millimetres over on his favoured left foot.

Town then won back possession after another poor Cottagers' pass out of defence, which was a theme all evening, Harry Cornick disappointingly dragging his effort, Collins flagged for handball as he controlled the rebound.

Cavaleiro hurtled off his wing and let fly, only narrowly missing the far corner, while a poor James Bree header was eventually seized upon by Joe Bryan whose low cross was just out of the reach of Mitrovic.

After the break, the Hatters could have been on level terms immediately, Brown finding Cornick, who screwed his attempt the wrong side of the post, while Brown went for goal himself, a home defender flicking behind.

But just as they had in the first period, Town then conceded as they looked to be in with a chance of restoring parity, Dan Potts losing Bobby Decordova-Reid and he picked out the unmarked Mitrovic to tap home his 10th of the season on 53 minutes.

Luton were swiftly on the front foot once more though, Mpanzu doing excellently on the right to send over two crosses, one that Cornick couldn't generate enough power from and another that was blocked behind.

The Hattters did give themselves a lifeline on the hour mark as Brown's free kick was met by Potts, who glanced beyond Rodak for his first goal in over a year.

Town's hopes only lasted seven minutes, as the Cottagers played a short free kick to Joe Bryan and his cross was headed home by that man Mitrociv for an imperious hat-trick.

Collins wasn't too far away from 25 yards as he looked to pull yet another back, as Town's top scorer, along with Cornick made way for Callum McManaman and LuaLua.

Late on, Cavaleiro had a blast parried behind by, while Town's two replacements went for goal, before another substitute, Luke Bolton, raced down the wing and crossed low for LuaLau to score at the far post.

It was just too little, too late for Town as Fulham saw out the final 90 seconds without any further alarm.

Cottagers: Marek Rodak, Joe Bryan, Tim Ream, Alfie Mawson, Denis Odoi, Tom Cairney, Harrison Reed (Kevin McDonald 85), Bobby Decordova-Reid (Stefan Johansen 80), Ivan Cavaleiro, Alexsander Mitrovic, Anthony Knockaert (Josh Onoma 70).

Subs not used: Marcus Bettinelli, Maxime Le Marchand, Steven Sessegnon, Aboubakar Kamara.

Hatters: James Shea, James Bree (Luke Bolton 70), Dan Potts, Sonny Bradley (C), Matty Pearson, Martin Cranie, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Harry Cornick (Kazenga LuaLua 78), Izzy Brown, James Collins (Callum McManaman 78).

Subs not used: Lloyd Jones, Jacob Butterfield, Andrew Shinnie, Simon Sluga.

Booked: Cairney 73.

Referee: John Brooks.

Attendance: 18,082.



https://www.dunstabletoday.co.uk/sport/football/hatters/hatters-beaten-by-mitrovic-s-treble-1-9117632


WhiteJC

Mitrovic scores hat-trick in Fulham win

Fulham 3 Luton 2

Fulham returned to winning ways and a move up the Championship table, with an inspired hat-trick by talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic at Craven Cottage.

Mitrovic took his scoring tally to 16 goals for the season in a game the Whites mainly dominated in what was the first meeting with Luton Town in 20 years.

There were a couple of changes in the Whites line up – Marek Rodak and Denis Odoi coming in for keeper Marcus Bettinelli and injured midfielder Harry Arter respectively – from the 2-0 weekend defeat at Stoke City.

The teams were evenly contested early on, but it was Luton who created a good chance when James Collins clipped an angled shot just wide after a neat through pass by Isaiah Brown.

The scare for Fulham was keenly acknowledged, and in the 16th minute they went ahead. Mitrovic made space inside the penalty area after fastening on to a pass from Ivan Cavaleiro, before a superb right foot drive which flew past Luton keeper James Shea into the top left hand corner.

Fulham, having made a terrific start, almost added a second – and it was Mitrovic again supplying the danger.

The Serbian forward was unlucky to see a low drive from 15 yards parried away by Shea. Luton managed to respond briefly amid Fulham's territorial advantage, with a Collins' left foot shot that went wide from an angle.

Fulham, aiming to make matters more comfortable, went close in the 35th minute, when the impressive Cavaleiro combined well with Anthony Knockaert, before the latter fired just inches over the bar.

Scott Parker's men did add a second in the 52nd minute – and it was such a well-worked goal too. Mitrovic, bustling into the box, drove home from six yards, fastening on to a pin point, low right sided cross by Bobby Decordova-Reid. The boost was no more than the Whites deserved.

Yet there was a surprise in store on the hour mark, when the Hatters managed to pull a goal back. Dan Potts reacted first, a glancing header high into Rodak's net after a Brown free kick from the right.

Still, as is so often the case for Fulham, it was left to Mitrovic once again to provide the killer blow. In the 66th minute, the striker bravely dived inside the danger zone to steer a header home from a precise set piece by Joe Bryan.

Cavaleiro then rifled a shot which Shea did well to turn away in the closing stages. Luton persevered and despite their scrambled goal by Kazenga LuaLua in stoppage time, there was little doubting the confidence and quality of Fulham's overall performance. It was a victory sure to please manager Parker.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/mitrovic-scores-hat-trick-in-fulham-win

WhiteJC

 Fulham 3-2 Luton: Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick sinks Hatters
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at Craven Cottage

Aleksandar Mitrovic's fantastic form in front of goal continued as the forward scored a hat-trick in Fulham's 3-2 win at home to Luton.

The Serbia striker, 25, took his tally to 11 goals in 13 games this term with his treble at Craven Cottage.

The former Newcastle player also has five international goals this season and has scored eight in his last five games for club and country.

Dan Potts and Kazenga LuaLua twice pulled Luton within a goal of their hosts, but they ultimately left empty-handed.


Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat-trick for Fulham

Fulham were on top from the off and defender Denis Odoi headed the game's first chance wide from Anthony Knockaert's free-kick.

Ivan Cavaleiro then fired at Hatters keeper James Shea, although Tim Ream's error at the back allowed Izzy Brown to set up Luton's first opportunity, which James Collins thumped wide from a tight angle.

Mitrovic showed how it should be done as Fulham took a 16th-minute lead. Cavaleiro provided the pass that allowed the Serbian to swivel and lash high beyond Shea from the edge of the box.

Shea was soon back in action, diving to keep out drives by Knockaert and then Mitrovic, whose bicycle kick moments later was too high.

Luton needed a response, but another Brown-Collins combination saw the latter again blast goalwards but fail to hit the target.

Knockaert continued his shoot-on-sight policy at the other end but he was too high on this occasion, while Collins' next effort struck a defender.

The score remained 1-0 at the break after Cavaleiro curled a right-footer just wide and Mitrovic, on the slide at the back post, could not convert at full stretch.

Luton came out with intent, Harry Cornick finding the side-netting after Brown set him up.

Brown had a go himself and won a corner, but it was not long before Mitrovic doubled the lead in the 53rd minute.

Bobby Reid's low ball across the box from the right only needed a connection and Mitrovic was there ahead of the centre-backs to convert from four yards.

Luton pulled one back on the hour mark through Potts, who lost his marker to head home Brown's free-kick.

Fulham's response was a free-kick move in the 67th minute that saw Mitrovic claim the match ball.

Knockaert played it to Joe Bryan on the left and Mitrovic stooped to nod his delivery into the box beyond Shea.

Collins came close to his 50th league goal for Luton, but Shea then was required to divert Cavaleiro's drive at the other end for a corner.

LuaLua pulled another back for Luton in stoppage time when fellow substitute Luke Bolton's ball across the box reached him at the back post, but it was not enough to deny Fulham the three points.

What the managers said...
Fulham boss Scott Parker:
"We all realise the quality Mitro has. In this division he scores goals but I think he would be the first to say that it's the supporting act around him as well.

"The way we play Mitro is on the end of it to finish it off and nine times out of 10 if you get the ball in the right place it goes in the back of the net."

Luton boss Graeme Jones: "The first thing we have to accept is that they are an exceptional team with an exceptional budget. A Premier League striker scored their goals. We were in League One last year and they were in the Premier League. We understand where we are and our fans are balanced but we want to give them more than a 3-2 defeat.

"In the first half we gave them too much respect. In the second half we changed our shape and really played on the front foot. We took the game to them. We drew the half 2-2 so there were some pleasing aspects. We are definitely getting there. We will keep working. There were key moments that didn't quite go our way and did go Fulham's way."



https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-luton/409500

WhiteJC

Result: Aleksandar Mitrovic scores hat-trick as Fulham edge past Luton

Aleksandar Mitrovic's fantastic form in front of goal continued as the forward bagged a hat-trick in Fulham's 3-2 win at home to Luton.

The Serbia striker, 25, took his tally to 11 goals in 13 games this term with his treble at Craven Cottage.

The former Newcastle man also has five international goals this season and has scored eight in his last five games for club and country.

Dan Potts and Kazenga LuaLua twice pulled Luton within a goal of their hosts, but they ultimately left empty-handed.

Fulham were on top from the off and defender Denis Odoi headed the game's first chance wide from Anthony Knockaert's free-kick.

Ivan Cavaleiro then fired at Hatters keeper James Shea, although Tim Ream's error at the back allowed Izzy Brown to set up Luton's first opportunity, which James Collins thumped wide from a tight angle.

Mitrovic showed how it should be done as Fulham took a 16th-minute lead. Cavaleiro provided the pass that allowed the Serbian to swivel and lash high beyond Shea from the edge of the box.

Shea was soon back in action, diving to keep out drives by Knockaert and then Mitrovic, whose bicycle kick moments later was too high.

Luton needed a response, but another Brown-Collins combination saw the latter again blast goalwards but fail to hit the target.

Knockaert continued his shoot-on-sight policy at the other end but he was too high on this occasion, while Collins' next effort struck a defender.

The score remained 1-0 at the break after Cavaleiro curled a right-footer just wide and Mitrovic, on the slide at the back post, could not convert at full stretch.

Luton came out with intent, Harry Cornick finding the side-netting after Brown set him up.

Brown had a go himself and won a corner, but it was not long before Mitrovic doubled the lead in the 53rd minute.

Bobby Reid's low ball across the box from the right only needed a connection and Mitrovic was there ahead of the centre-backs to convert from four yards.

Luton pulled one back on the hour mark through Potts, who lost his marker to head home Brown's free-kick.

Fulham's response was a free-kick move in the 67th minute that saw Mitrovic claim the match ball.

Knockaert played it to Joe Bryan on the left and Mitrovic stooped to nod his delivery into the box beyond Shea.

Collins came close to his 50th league goal for Luton, but Shea then was required to divert Cavaleiro's drive at the other end for a corner.

LuaLua pulled another back for Luton in stoppage time when fellow substitute Luke Bolton's ball across the box reached him at the back post, but it was not enough to deny Fulham the three points.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/result/result-aleksandar-mitrovic-scores-hat-trick-as-fulham-edge-past-luton_376001.html


WhiteJC

Mitrovic hat-trick fires Fulham past Luton


Aleksandar Mitrovic's fantastic form in front of goal continued as the forward bagged a hat-trick in Fulham's 3-2 win at home to Luton.

The Serbia striker, 25, took his tally to 11 goals in 13 games this term with his treble at Craven Cottage.

The former Newcastle man also has five international goals this season and has scored eight in his last five games for club and country.

Dan Potts and Kazenga LuaLua twice pulled Luton within a goal of their hosts, but they ultimately left empty-handed.

Fulham were on top from the off and defender Denis Odoi headed the game's first chance wide from Anthony Knockaert's free-kick.

Ivan Cavaleiro then fired at Hatters keeper James Shea, although Tim Ream's error at the back allowed Izzy Brown to set up Luton's first opportunity, which James Collins thumped wide from a tight angle.

Mitrovic showed how it should be done as Fulham took a 16th-minute lead. Cavaleiro provided the pass that allowed the Serbian to swivel and lash high beyond Shea from the edge of the box.

Shea was soon back in action, diving to keep out drives by Knockaert and then Mitrovic, whose bicycle kick moments later was too high.

Luton needed a response, but another Brown-Collins combination saw the latter again blast goalwards but fail to hit the target.

Knockaert continued his shoot-on-sight policy at the other end but he was too high on this occasion, while Collins' next effort struck a defender.

The score remained 1-0 at the break after Cavaleiro curled a right-footer just wide and Mitrovic, on the slide at the back post, could not convert at full stretch.

Luton came out with intent, Harry Cornick finding the side-netting after Brown set him up.

Brown had a go himself and won a corner, but it was not long before Mitrovic doubled the lead in the 53rd minute.

Bobby Reid's low ball across the box from the right only needed a connection and Mitrovic was there ahead of the centre-backs to convert from four yards.

Luton pulled one back on the hour mark through Potts, who lost his marker to head home Brown's free-kick.

Fulham's response was a free-kick move in the 67th minute that saw Mitrovic claim the match ball.

Knockaert played it to Joe Bryan on the left and Mitrovic stooped to nod his delivery into the box beyond Shea.

Collins came close to his 50th league goal for Luton, but Shea then was required to divert Cavaleiro's drive at the other end for a corner.

LuaLua pulled another back for Luton in stoppage time when fellow substitute Luke Bolton's ball across the box reached him at the back post, but it was not enough to deny Fulham the three points.



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mitrovic-hat-trick-fires-fulham-past-luton#Ai2S3VaiGRIUg5Ch.99

WhiteJC

Parker confident Fulham will get even better

Scott Parker declared that Fulham are "only going to get stronger" after their 3-2 win against Luton.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat-trick for the Whites, who created a host of chances and could have won by a greater margin.

The three points took Fulham up to seventh in the Championship table and manager Parker believes they are heading in the right direction.

"We want to stay in amongst it and I do feel like we're only going to get stronger and I feel like we're in the right place," Parker said.

"I do sense that the longer this season goes on and the more we get to grips with it – this is a young team and I don't mean in age, I just mean a young team (in terms of) being together – it's a process and certainly I can see us only becoming stronger over the course of the year and becoming more clinical."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/parker-makes-prediction-about-fulham-after-win-over-luton

WhiteJC

Aleksandar Mitrovic sinks Luton with a hat-trick and eases pressure on Fulham boss Scott Parker

    Fulham had dropped to 10th and won only one of their last five home games
    That was before Luton's visit to Craven Cottage and Mitrovic's hat-trick tonight
    The Cottagers move up to seventh with the win ahead of a trip to Middlesbrough

If Scott Parker was under any pressure, then Aleksander Mitrovic lifted it. A hat-trick that won the game – it was exactly what his manager needed.

Not that it was simple and not that it was easy. Fulham looked like a side that had dropped to 10th pre-match and only won one of their last five home games. They edged over the line after two Luton goals only because of the Serb's quality.

He displayed the full range of his talents in front of goal as blasted the first in, tapped in a second and dove to head in a third.


Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham celebrates with Ivan Cavaleiro after completing his hat-trick

Parker was full of praise for the 25-year-old: 'We all realise the quality Mitro has, especially in this division. He scores goals.

'He'd be the first to say it's the supporting act as well and the players around him and how we play but ultimately Mitro's at the end of it to finish it off.

'Nine times out of 10 we know if we get the ball in the right areas and serve him in the right place, the ball will go in.'

This was the first meeting between the two sides since December 1999 and it was worth the wait. It took a minute for Denis Odoi to head over the first chance of the game and before long James Shea had to turn away an Ivan Cavaleiro half volley.


Parker was full of praise for the 25-year-old: 'We all realise the quality Mitro has,' he said

The opener followed in the 15th minute. James Bree misplaced a pass. Ivan Cavaleiro received it from Tom Cairney and played in Mitrovic, who sized it up on the edge of the box and fired into the top corner.

Then came Fulham's onslaught. Shea saved another Mitrovic strike, while only a block stopped Reid.

Before the half was out, Knockaert and Cavaleiro sent shots wide.

Parker added: 'In the first half we played some really good stuff. Going in at 1-0, it felt like we were in full control and should have gone in a little bit further ahead.'

Luton came back out with more forward thrust, with Harry Cornick sending a strike into the side netting and Izzy Brown having a shot deflected out.


Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game

But Fulham soon doubled their lead. Knockaert played Reid into space in the box in the 52nd minute. He glanced across and spotted Mitrovic before teeing him up for the finish.

Luton had not given up and on the hour took advantage of some lax marking. Brown centred the ball from a free-kick and Dan Potts ghosted in to head home.

Then came Mitrovic's diving header for the hat-trick. It ensured Kazenga Lualua's late sliding effort was no more than a consolation.

Luton boss Graeme Jones said: 'The players are upset they didn't get something out of the game and rightly so. I encourage that.

'I don't want them to sit there going, 'We only got beat 3-2'. No – we have to get a positive result.'

But the chants of 'Mitro's on fire' from the Fulham fans told the story. They were only fair – he had set the game alight.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7606773/Aleksander-Mitrovic-sinks-Luton-hat-trick-eases-pressure-Fulham-boss-Scott-Parker.html


WhiteJC

Fulham boss Scott Parker hails Aleksandar Mitrovic's goalscoring quality

Fulham manager Scott Parker praised Aleksandar Mitrovic after the striker's hat-trick proved just enough to earn a 3-2 win at home to Luton.

The Cottagers moved up to seventh place in Sky Bet Championship table after Mitrovic took his goal tally for the season to 11 from 13 games.

He opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a drive into the top corner and made it 2-0 to the hosts in the 53rd minute with a tap-in from Bobby Reid's ball across the box.

Dan Potts pulled one back for Luton on the hour-mark but Mitrovic's third of the night, a 67th-minute header from Joe Bryan's cross, turned out to be the winner, with substitute Kazenga LuaLua scrambling home a Hatters' second in stoppage time.

"We all realise the quality Mitro has," Parker said. "In this division he scores goals but I think he would be the first to say that it's the supporting act around him as well.

"The way we play Mitro is on the end of it to finish it off and nine times out of 10 if you get the ball in the right place it goes in the back of the net."

Parker also felt his side should have won by a bigger margin, especially as they dominated the first half.

"In the first half we played some really good stuff and cut them open at times. Going in at half-time at 1-0 certainly felt like it should have been more.

"When Luton got a goal back it became a bit edgy but I have always said the most important thing this year is how we bounce back when we face a bit of adversity and the key thing was the result.

"The thing that pleased me most was that we saw the game out."

Luton manager Graeme Jones, whose side are 18th, four points above the drop zone, said he believed Fulham's ability to field – and pay for – players who were in the Premier League last season was the most significant factor.

"The first thing we have to accept is that they are an exceptional team with an exceptional budget," he said.

"A Premier League striker scored their goals. We were in League One last year and they were in the Premier League. We understand where we are and our fans are balanced but we want to give them more than a 3-2 defeat.

"In the first half we gave them too much respect. In the second half we changed our shape and really played on the front foot. We took the game to them. We drew the half 2-2 so there were some pleasing aspects. We are definitely getting there.

"We will keep working. There were key moments that didn't quite go our way and did go Fulham's way."



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-boss-scott-parker-hails-aleksandar-mitrovics-goalscoring-quality#7Cf2kRA8hQhuHsY7.99

WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Full Time: Our Initial Reactions To Fulham's 3-2 Victory Against Luton Town

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

Listen to co-host Emilio Di Nello share his thoughts on Fulham's 3-2 victory against Luton Town. Emilio was at the match at Craven Cottage and he shared his initial reaction.


Lastly, you can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/10/24/20929548/cottage-talk-full-time-our-initial-reactions-to-fulhams-3-2-victory-against-luton-town

WhiteJC

Mitrovic hat-trick floors Hatters

Aleksandar Mitrovic's first Fulham hat-trick helped Fulham return to winning ways as they clinched a nervy victory over Luton Town in a five goal thriller at Craven Cottage tonight.

Mitrovic handed the Hatters a lesson in finishing to twice help the Whites establish a two-goal cushion – but Fulham's defensive frailties, brutally exposed at Stoke on Saturday, resurfaced again as Graeme Jones' side threatened to claim a battling point. The excellent Izzy Brown helped Luton gain a foothold in the second half and a glancing header from Dan Potts was followed by a close-range finish from substitute Kazenga Lua-Lua as the visitors made Scott Parker's side sweat until the very end.

Parker made two changes after his 3-4-1-2 system slumped at Stoke, with Marek Rodak handed his league debut in goal and Denis Odoi returning at right back as Fulham switched to a back four. The hosts almost made the perfect start but James Shea saved well from Ivan Cavaleiro, but Luton were looking lively on the break. James Collins might feel he should have done better than fire wide after he had seized upon a poor pass from Tim Ream and latched onto Brown's sumptuous through ball – and Luton were punished almost immediately.

Cavaleiro intercepted a wayward pass from Matty Pearson and drove towards the box before slipping a simple pass into the path of Mitrovic. The Serbian striker shrugged off the attentions of Sonny Bradley and smashed a venomous finish beyond Shea. The Luton keeper then did his best to keep Town in the contest saving bravely from Tom Cairney and Anthony Knockaert in quick succession – before an acrobatic overhead from Mitrovic drifted harmlessly over the bar.

Luton still threatened on the counter-attack with Brown and Collins causing real problems for the Fulham rearguard. The Chelsea loanee looked dangerous every time he ran at the Fulham defence and he delivered another excellent pass that allowed Collins to canter past Odoi only for the forward to lose his composure as he snatched at his shot.

Fulham finished the half strongly but couldn't find a second. Knockaert curled fractionally wide when he cut inside onto his left foot before Cavaleiro fizzed an effort past the opposite corner and Mitrovic was inches away from connecting with a low cross from Joe Bryan after the full back had robbed James Bree of possession.

Luton emerged for the second half with a fiery team talk from Jones ringing in their ears. They might have been level straight away when Harry Cornick fired into the side netting after being released by Brown, who then saw a deflected shot pushed aside by Rodak. Their enterprising start deserved better than going further behind but Fulham doubled the lead from their first real attack of the second half.

Knockaert slipped a ball down the side of the Luton defence and Decordova-Reid raced beyond Potts before picking out Mitrovic with a low cross – giving the former Newcastle forward the simplest of finishes from close range. But the Hatters deserve immense credit for refusing to fold and they found a route back into the contest on the hour mark.

Brown floated a free-kick into the danger area and Potts ran across Ream to head home his first goal in more than a year. That briefly stunned the hosts but they summoned up a fine riposte seven minutes later when Mitrovic's diving header from a cleverly worked free-kick between Cairney and Bryan took him to the top of the Championship scoring charts.

Fulham briefly threatened to make the scoreline look much more comfortable with Shea pushing away a powerful Cavaleiro drive, but they were left hanging on for the final minute of stoppage time after Luke Bolton got to the byline and delivered a low cross that Lua-Lua tapped in at the back post. That late setback proved only a consolation – but it was hard to avoid the feeling that Fulham, with all their attacking talent, had made this victory far too difficult for themselves.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; Odoi, Bryan, Mawson, Ream; Reed (McDonald 85), Decordova-Reid (Johansen 81), Cairney; Knockaert (Onomah 70), Cavaleiro, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, S. Sessegnon, Le Marchand, Kamara.

BOOKED: Cairney.

GOALS: Mitrovic (16, 53, 67).

LUTON TOWN (4-3-3): Shea; Bree (Bolton 70), Potts, Pearson, Bradley; Tunnicliffe, Cranie, Mpanzu; Cornick (Lua-Lua 78), Brown, Collins (McManaman 78). Subs (not used): Sluga, Shinnie, Jones, Butterfield.

GOALS: Potts (60), Lua-Lua (90+3).

REFEREE: John Brooks (Leicestershire).

ATTENDANCE: 18,082.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2019/10/mitrovic-hat-trick-floors-hatters/


WhiteJC

Games for the Weekend 26/10
So we travel up to Middlesbrough for our weekend game.
Following on from his hat-trick against Luton Mitro is currently the leagues top scorer, he really is on fire!
Middlesborough could only manage a draw against Huddersfield and I'm sure they'll be looking to get a result at home.

COYWs

Games of Interest...
Saturday 26th

Sheff Wed v Leeds
Hull v Derby
Middlesborough v Fulham
Millwall v Stoke
West Brom v Charlton

Sunday 27th
Swansea v Cardiff

Monday 28th
QPR v Brentford



come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0



https://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=962