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Sunday Fulham Stuff - 01/12/19...

Started by WhiteJC, November 29, 2019, 03:59:40 PM

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WhiteJC

Results


Saturday
Charlton
1-3
Sheff Wed
Barnsley
3-1
Hull
Birmingham City
1-1
Millwall
Brentford
7-0
Luton
Bristol City
5-2
Huddersfield
Derby
1-1
QPR
Leeds
4-0
Middlesborough
Stoke
1-2
Blackburn
Wigan
1-3
Reading
Nottm Forest
0-1
Cardiff

WhiteJC

'Take a bow', 'On another level' – Plenty of Fulham fans heap praise on 22-y/o after Swansea win


Fulham made it four wins in their last four Championship matches on Friday night, with Scott Parker's side picking up a 2-1 against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

After a somewhat inconsistent start to the season, the Cottagers are finally starting to pick up and display their true quality in every area of the pitch.

After two home wins on the spin against Queens Park Rangers and Derby County, Parker's men prepared to come up against another play-off contender in Swansea City in South Wales.

But on Friday night, the Cottagers produced a superb first-half performance to help secure an invaluable 2-1 victory.

Two quickfire goals from from Aleksandar Mitrovic fired Parker's side into a 2-0 lead heading into the half-time interval, and they held on despite a late strike from George Byers.

It could have been a different story in the first-half, though, when Marek Rodak produced a superb save to deny Sam Surridge from close-range.

The 22-year-old, who has been drafted in for Marcus Bettinelli in recent weeks, has done plenty to prove to Scott Parker that he could be Fulham's first-choice shot-stopper this term.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/take-a-bow-on-another-level-plenty-of-fulham-fans-heap-praise-on-22-y-o-after-swansea-win/

WhiteJC

Fulham boss Scott Parker issues clear Aleksandar Mitrovic message as January window looms

Fulham manager Scott Parker is confident that the club will keep hold of Aleksandar Mitrovic in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old has played an influential part in helping the Cottagers climb to within touching distance of the Sky Bet Championship automatic promotion spots, after an outstanding start to the season.

Mitrovic – who has scored 23 goals in 23 games for club and country this term – is currently the Championship's top goalscorer with 15 league goals to his name.

It sent shockwaves through the division when Mitrovic signed a new five-year deal at Craven Cottage in the summer, and it was seen as a huge statement of intent by the London club.

It's no wonder why, with the Serbian on course to fire 20 goals before the turn of the year, and help fire Fulham towards promotion back to the Premier League.

Via FourFourTwo, Parker has said that he is confident of being able to keep hold of Mitrovic, amid inevitable interest in the prolific forward in January.

He said: "Mitrovic loves it at this place, it's his home and he's comfortable. When you have a top striker like Aleksandar in your team there will always be people floating around, but he's happy and I'm sure we'll be alright.

"He's motivated by goals, typical striker, he's first class. We get the ball in the right areas and he's there to finish them."

Fulham are up to third in the Sky Bet Championship table after their 2-1 win against Swansea City on Friday night – Mitrovic scoring two goals in quick succession to help secure the win.

Parker's men sit two points off second, heading into Saturday's action.

The Verdict

It seems almost unfair that Fulham have a player like Mitrovic to choose from in their squad.

It shows what teams can achieve if they show faith in their players and reward them with new deals, rather than get rid of him at the first sight of pound signs.

He will keep on scoring goals and will be so vital in their push for promotion this season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-boss-scott-parker-issues-clear-aleksandar-mitrovic-message-as-january-window-looms/


WhiteJC

'Absolutely exceptional', 'Club legend' – Plenty of Fulham fans excited by 25y/o's 'world class' performance

Aleksander Mitrovic fired Fulham to a 2-1 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium last night, which has left many fans of the London club singing his praises.

Mitrovic scored a first-half brace to help Scott Parker's side pick up their fourth consecutive win and move to within two points of the automatic promotion places.

Fulham traveled down to South Wales for the top-six clash and had to weather some early pressure from the hosts.

Despite the Swans being in the ascendancy for much of the first half Mitrovic proved the difference maker–heading his side ahead after 22 minutes and then firing in a second just before the break.

Steve Cooper's side halved the deficit just after the hour-mark with George Byers header beating Marek Rodak, who had an impressive evening in general, but Fulham held out.

As they have so many times this season, Mitrovic's goals secured the three points for the Whites and helped continue their ascent up the table.

The Serbian striker remains the Championship's top scorer and has now found the net 15 times in 18 appearances.

The 25-year-old looks set to play a vital part in Fulham's promotion push this season and his latest display appears to have excited many fans of the club.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/absolutely-exceptional-club-legend-plenty-of-fulham-fans-excited-by-25y-os-world-class-performance/

WhiteJC

Five Thoughts: Swansea City 1-2 Fulham

Go on, which one of you started belting out God Save The Queen in South Wales? Fulham made a westerly trip to the Liberty Stadium and ruffled Swansea City's feathers with a sensational first-half raid, a ruthless invasion that left the hosts belly up in the water.


So, that's four wins in four for Scott Parker and his men and it's also two consecutive victories away from home. The Whites began the weekend in the best possible way, but it was nail-biting stuff. That's exactly the type of game that we would have faded out of in years gone by, though, so the character and ambition on show was highly promising and pleasing on the eye.

Bristol City, a worthy foe, are up next at home and it's another calendar meeting that promises elation, trepidation and drama by the barrel load. It's Bovril time in the terraces and whilst the festive period isn't quite upon us just yet, we're set for a December adorned with cliched Christmas crackers. Bring it on.

Guys Get Grinding
Doubt him. Critique him. Distrust him. Whatever you're underlying opinion of him really is, Parker has altered Fulham's fortunes for the better. Grinding out victories. Steve Cooper'sSwansea City, stubborn and regimented in the early stages, pressed high, constricting Fulham to brush the ball across the back patiently. The opening 15 minutes were enthralling, with both sides probing, but the visitors maintained their composure to relinquish the hosts' animated firepower. Even Ivan Cavaleiro, again, pulled his weight defensively, intercepting and blockading set-pieces and would-be crosses. The Whites' clear-cut chances were at a premium, but our weaponry was ultimately sharper and we waltzed into the break two goals to the good, against the run of play.

The second-half carried a similar narrative. The Swans grabbed a glimmer of hope in the 65th minute through George Byers' nod and Fulham knew that an onslaught was on the horizon. Swansea prodded the Cottagers' resolve with Andre Ayew, Byers and Sam Surridge hunting as a trio but our compact defensive department kept their discipline. Tim Ream's evasive headers, Stefan Johansen's tireless hounding, Joe Bryan's resolute shadowing of Connor Roberts, we have the mettle, the collective desire, to contend at the summit of this division. Cooper's camp carved out textbook opportunities and we can be satisfied by our resilience. We held a well-oiled squad at an arm's length, adding insult to injury with a smash-and-grab game plan.

The manner in which we fought for those points, that will gain you promotion. It's a marathon, there's very a long way to go yet, but this is the period of the season where the front runner get into their groove and stride away from the chasing pack. We're not in the top two, no, but we're cranking up the heat and we're destined to be in the leading peloton with a head of steam. We've always been about vibrant, attractive, incisive football, but our identity's evolved. We're no longer selective or scared of asserting ourselves, we'll take the ugly wins home with us and we'll tuck them in for good measure, too.

Mitro' Manufactures Margin
15 Championship goals this season. It doesn't take much to predict how Aleksandar Mitrovic's season will pan out, but he's got to be a 30+ striker in the company he keeps. We're spoiled, blessed to have the division's top scorer in our ranks and you know what the best thing is? He's settled and wholeheartedly privileged to pull on our famous jersey every single matchday. Early doors, Mitro' was marked tightly by Mike van der Hoorn and was unceremoniously barged off the ball but that in itself is a hazardous method to enforce. Provoke the powerful Serb and you will be chastised.

For other lesser strikers, 'right place, right time' would be the correct term of phrase but for Mitro', his brace was naturally dispatched. Bryan punctured Swansea's penalty area with a flat cross and Aboubakar Kamara, shifting his shape to jab a half-volley, clattered the crossbar. Alive, alert, Mitro' pounced on the rebound to butt past a sloored Freddie Woodman in the 22 minute to break the deadlock. Vulture's finish, that. Imperious presence of mind.

The 25-year-old, for his second, drifted into an advantageous spot in the penalty area, received the ball rather fortuitously and picked a particular square in the roof of the net to violate. His movement, awareness and proficiency is unparalleled. We're not even half-way through the campaign and he's romping away with the golden boot already. Without him spearheading our attack, wrenching back fours, dispatching bread and butter opportunities, mid-table would beckon. He is the difference between promotion and mediocrity.

Joshua's Jaded Jog
I'm not here to debunk Joshua Onomah's reputation before his career at Fulham even really begun, but I really don't know what Parker sees in him. Bobby De Cordova-Reid was sidelined and the former Tottenham Hotspur prospect was selected by the gaffer to fill the Jamaican's void. My word, they are complete polar opposites. For a young, athletic sportsman, the 22-year-old travels the turf like a man wearing concrete blocks for boots. Trapped in traffic, he bares the reactions of the Titanic's captain. Nope, I've tried, but can't say I rate him at all.

The lad is clearly low on confidence and I commend Parker for believing in him, but I haven't seen anything, yet, that adjusts my negative assessment of his ability. Erratic jerking movements whilst attempting to issue simple passes, trudging after his the ball carrier with a severe lack of urgency, bundling into his marker to concede soft, unnecessary free-kicks in problematic zones, it wasn't a performance worthy of a start, let alone a cameo appearance. His miscue in the build up to Mitro's second has been attributed with an assist – have a day off.

You have Luca de la Torre and Matt O'Riley on the bench. Relatively unknown entities in this division but ridiculously talented, no less. You can't seriously tell me, straight faced, that Onomah is better than those two? More experienced, maybe, but he isn't ready for regular first-team football whatsoever. We've been waiting for O'Riley to explode onto the scene for some time now and de la Torre's also gunning to sink his teeth in. He wasn't dynamic, innovative, energetic, so why not blood an academy product to harness their energy and enthusiasm?

Slovak's Supreme Saves
We all owe Marek Rodak for the three points. Mitro' may have bagged a clinical brace, but the 22-year-old stopper was the real hero on the night. We've been plagued by insufficient 'keepers for a few years with various candidates fluffing their lines but Rodak, he's mustard. I'm sure they'll be a highlight reel on YouTube in a few weeks glorifying his saves and exploits because his perfronace at the Liberty Stadium demands that kind of attention.

Show me that outrageous point-blank block in the 6th minute. Surridge couldn't have done anything more, his anticipation deserved reward, but Rodak shielded his net to deny the hosts instant celebration. Connecting to the rebound Kyle Naughton flashed the ball back at the target but the Slovakia international was already set to flick the ball wide for a corner. Seizing the resulting set-piece, Rodak addressed his teammates, gesticulating for calm and order, slowing the tempo to extinguish Swansea's momentum.

In the 35th minute, Byers read Surridge's cross and struck towards the target but Rodak was poised again to glove the ball wide of the mark. Byers and Rodak sparked up a rivalry throughout. The Scotsman did eventually beat his foe, of course, but the aspiring stopper was the versatile midfielder's unmovable nemesis. Revoking Byers' swirling effort from the edge of the box in the 58th minute with an acrobatic save, Rodak was genuinely the mastermind behind our 4th consecutive victory. That's our No.1 right there, a Man of the Match performance once again in my biased estimation.

Defining Dancing Denis
An exemplar of calm and patience, Denis Odoi enlightened us, again, to why's he's without question our first-choice right-back. Cyrus Christie is nothing more than a replacement nowadays and Steven Sessegnon, worryingly, is nowehere to be seen, so the 31-year-old is bedding himself into Parker's preferred contingent pretty nicely. Kristoffer Peterson, tried, Kyle Naughton failed, the Belgian utility man policed his flank scrupulously, blockading Swansea advancements without reluctance or delay in his actions.

Squint when he's on the ball, weaving up field, you'd fool yourself into believing he was a mid-flight Lionel Messi. Expansive, expeditionary surges typically factor in Odoi's game and as time's gone on, he's possibly our most effective dribbler. Bobbing out of crowded pockets and obstructions, Odoi initiated various counter attacks, shepherding possession to available outlets logically and reasonably. Balls fizzed into his feet off the slick surface but his first touch, whilst being hassled, stuck like Velcro. Aware and perceptive, Odoi picked simple options and flexed his own trademark originality in equal measure. Those little bursts of enthusiasm, you love to see it.

As the game progressed, Swansea rallied for an equaliser and Odoi shuffled across to form a back three, with Christie deputising at wingback. That extra body, despite it being just shy of 6ft, makes a huge difference to our solidity. He understands the importance of standing firm and holding the line is a core responsibility of his anyway, so he's the ideal auxiliary anchorman. Under a shower of long balls and speculative switches, Tim Ream, Alfie Mawson and Odoi combined to expel the Swans' attempts to restore parity. We've a team full of ballers, but Odoi is low-key my favourite representative. A jack of all trades that's thrived in this environment before and another effective outing to add to the scrapbook.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-11-30-five-thoughts-swansea-city-1-2-fulham/

WhiteJC

'Unbelievable' – Aleksandar Mitrovic hails Fulham teammate after Swansea victory

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has heaped praise on the "unbelievable" Marek Rodak after their 2-1 win over Swansea City on Friday night.

The Cottagers made it four wins from their last four games at the Liberty Stadium, with Rodak and Mitrovic both playing integral roles in the victory.

Mitrovic scored a quickfire brace in the first-half to fire Fulham into a 2-0 lead – the Serbian forward has now scored 15 goals in the Championship this season, and has 23 goals in 23 games for club and country.

But it was Rodak who helped Fulham record yet another win – the 22-year-old pulled off a host of excellent saves to keep his side in the lead, including an excellent stop to deny Sam Surridge from point-blank range in the first-half.

Rodak hasn't looked back since being introduced to the Cottagers' starting line-up – the Slovakian replaced Marcus Bettinelli ,who was sent off in the 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough in October, and has since been a regular under Scott Parker.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Mitrovic hailed the "unbelievable" shot-stopper, saying: "He is unbelievable. Since he came in, he has been unbelievable.

"He gives us security, he made some incredible saves, he gives energy to the team. We see this every day in training and he needs to continue like this and keep up this form."

Fulham now sit third in the Sky Bet Championship table after Friday night's victory – they sit two points off second placed Leeds United heading into Saturday's action.

The Verdict

Rodak was undoubtedly Fulham's star-man along with Mitrovic on Friday night.

For such a young goalkeeper, he commands his box so well and his shot-stopping qualities are just brilliant.

It speaks volumes that at the age of 22, he is still managing to keep a very established goalkeeper in Bettinelli out of the team, and the latter will have to work extra hard to reclaim his shirt.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/unbelievable-aleksandar-mitrovic-hails-fulham-teammate-after-swansea-victory/


WhiteJC

Under-18 report: Chelsea 2 Fulham 2

The Blues shared a point with rivals Fulham after an entertaining game at Cobham this morning - the draw means Chelsea remain unbeaten in the league this season.

The top two teams came togeher a didn't disappoint in putting on an entertaining contest, Fulham took the lead after 90 second through Ollie O'Neill against the run of play.

Charlie Wiggett got us back on level terms shortly after the restart as he scrambled the ball over the line following a succession of Blues corner kicks.

Fulham regained the lead against the run of play through substitute Jean-Pierre Tiehi who headed home from close range but Armando Broja made sure it didn't last long as he fired into the bottom corner for the last goal of the game.

Fulham got the game started in cold conditions under the winter sunshine in Cobham and it was the visitors broke the deadlock in this morning's table-topping clash.

After a positive start from Chelsea which saw us enjoy plenty of the ball in the oppositions half, Fulham made their attack of the game count. There were just two minutes on the clock as Ollie O'Neill beat the offside trap and slotted home for the opener.

Our best chance in the first half came after 20 minutes, Broja's deft touch sent Dion Rankine racing through on goal. Fulham's 'keeper, Damien Las, was quick off his line and made it hard for Rankine who got to the ball first but couldn't connect cleanly enough to force it over the line. It was much better from the Blues who were still most threatening in attack.

Broja was seeing a lot of the ball and could only watch on as two chances went begging for him 10 minutes before the interval. The first routed from a quick counter-attack which found the forward in the centre circle, his half-long run preceded a powerful strike across goal which forced Las into a save.

The second came from the resulting corner, the Albania Under-21 international leaped highest from Marcel Lewis' set-piece but the header agonisingly dropped the wrong side of the post. It was a frustrating end to the first half for Chelsea.

Ed Brand's half-time team talk sparked confidence into the Blues who drew level 90 seconds after the restart. Rankine and Joe Haigh were involved as Chelsea forced a corner kick and as a result, Wiggett was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range. It was game on at 1-1.

Chelsea's leveller seemed to leave the game wide open despite plenty of football still to be played. Fulham had two quick-fire chances squandered by Blues bodies – both fell to forward Jay Stansfield.

His first came after he sprinted beyond the defence and advanced towards goal with only Jake Askew to beat, the woodwork came to Chelsea's rescue before Sam Iling-Junior cleared the lurking danger.

The second was just a matter of seconds later, after a game of pinball inside the box the ball fell to Stansfield who struck at goal but Dynel Simeu threw himself at the effort to again deny the visitors.

After an hour's play, Brand introduced Myles Peart Harris and the midfielder got straight involved in the action but could only head wide following Iling-Junior's centre.

In similar fashion to their first, Fulham retook the lead against the run of play - substitute Tiehi nodded his side ahead with just 20 minutes remaining. Chelsea's hard work to get back into the game had been undone.

However Broja made sure the single goal deficit didn't last long, four minutes to be exact as he slotted home his 10th of the league season from 12 yards. That goal meant we were back in the game and set up a tense final 14 minutes.

Neither team were settling for the point and Askew was called to action and made sure Fulham didn't steal all three when captain Fabio Carvalho unleashed a strike from distance forcing the 'keeper into an acrobatic stop. That proved to be the last of the action as the points were shared, the Blues reamin unbeaten and point behind league leaders Fulham.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jake Askew; Dynel Simeu (c), Sam McClelland, Charlie Wiggett, Sam Iling-Junior (Josh Brooking 89); Lewis Bate, Xavier Simons; Marcel Lewis (George Nunn 81), Joe Haigh (Myles Peart Harris 61), Dion Rankine, Armando Broja
Unused subs: Ethan Wady, Bashir Humphries
Booked: Simons 35
Scorers Wiggett 48, Broja 76

Fulham: Damien Lucas, Connor McAvoy, Idris Odutayo, Jon Page (Terry Ablade 86), Ibane Bowat, Luca Murphy, Ollie O'Neill, Adrion Pajaziti (Jean Pierre Tiehi 53), Jay Stansfield , Fabio Carvalho (c), Sylvester Jasper
Unused subs: Mac Chisholm, Mika Biereth,Jay Williams
Scorers O'Niell (2), Pierre Tiehi (72)



https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2019/11/30/under-18-report--chelsea-fulham?cardIndex=0-2

WhiteJC

Valencia 2-1 Villarreal: Hosts bounce back from Champions League draw with Chelsea by securing derby win

    Valencia secured La Liga victory over Villarreal in Derbi de la Comunitat
    Rodrigo and Ferran Torres struck for the hosts to earn third win in four games
    On-loan Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa leveled for visitors

Valencia secured bragging rights with victory over local rivals Villarreal in the Derbi de la Comunitat.

The hosts took the lead through Rodrigo before Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa leveled but 19-year-old Ferran Torres secured the three points.

Victory takes Valencia to seventh in the La Liga table, eight points off leaders Real Madrid.

Villarreal, meanwhile, slipped to 13th but have a five-point gap above the relegation places.

The hosts showed no lasting hangover from their Champions League draw with Chelsea in mid-week, having failed to secure a last-16 place.

Villarreal could have taken the lead after just 15 minutes but Gerard Moreno was unable to convert a penalty.


The visitors had scored a leveler through on-loan midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa

After a goalless first period, it was Spain international Rodrigo who struck the opener from Moi Gomez's assist.

Anguissa's first Villarreal goal would re-establish parity, only for Torres to snatch the winning goal with 20 minutes to play.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7742665/Valencia-2-1-Villarreal-Hosts-secure-derby-win.html