Monday Fulham Stuff - 30/12/19...

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Results

Saturday
Birmingham	4-5	Leeds
Bristol City	3-0	Luton
Fulham	1-0	Stoke
Huddersfield	2-1	Blackburnt
Millwall	1-0	Brentford
Nottm Forest	1-0	Wigan
Preston NE	0-2	Reading
QPR	1-2	Hull
Sheff Wed	1-2	Cardiff
Swansea	0-0	Barnsley
West Brom	0-2	Middlesborough

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Fulham 1-0 Stoke City

Bobby Decordova-Reid got the only goal of the game - his fourth in five matches - on 26 minutes

Bobby Decordova-Reid kept up his recent hot scoring spree as Fulham beat struggling Stoke City to go third in the Championship.

Stoke remain just outside the bottom three despite being on the wrong end of the Cottagers' fourth straight home league win.

Fulham lost 2-0 at Stoke on 19 October, one of only six Championship games the Potters have won this season.

But Scott Parker's side put that right - although it took until the 16th minute for the hosts to create anything memorable.

Jack Butland pulled off a fine parry to keep out a drive from Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Championship's top scorer.

Mitrovic then headed a decent chance over before Decordova-Reid broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Butland stretched to stop Anthony Knockaert's low shot from creeping in at the far post, but the former Bristol City and Cardiff City striker was lurking for a tap-in.

Stoke were more menacing after the break, Sam Clucas smashing a drive into the side netting and Tom Ince screwing an effort wide.

But it was Fulham left-back Joe Bryan who came closest to adding to the scoreline with a shot from a corner routine that Butland did well to tip over.

Fulham are again in home action on New Year's Day, when Stoke go to Huddersfield.

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill told BBC Radio Stoke:

"We're disappointed. I thought in the second half we really pushed Fulham, and I can't fault the players for attitude and application.

"In the first half, we were second best, we were half a yard short all over the pitch. Fulham were good, they moved the ball well and we struggled to apply the pressure we would have liked.

"But on the second half performance I felt we deserved to get something from the game."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50882310

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Head Coach press conference

Scott Parker was pleased with how his side reacted in a game of two halves against Stoke City.

Fulham played some excellent stuff in the first 45 and deservedly led through Bobby Decordova-Reid's goal, while a more resolute defensive display was required after the restart.

"The first 45 minutes was probably the best we've played all year," Parker said. "We were outstanding, the position and structure of our team was spot on.

"We limited them to very few changes, and at the same time cut them open and caused them problems. The only slight negative was that we weren't more than one up.

"At half-time, we spoke about how it might turn into a little bit of a slugfest, and it proved that way. We showed the other side to us, and sometimes I've doubted that in this team.

"Full credit to the defenders, especially after Luton Town where they came under a lot of criticism from me and my staff.

"They stood up like men, when it was time to roll your sleeves up and do they basics and keep the ball out of the back of the net, they did that. It was very pleasing."

Josh Onomah, Alfie Mawson and Tom Cairney all had to be withdrawn from the match, and Parker gave an update on them in his post-match press conference.

"Josh came to see me first thing this morning and wasn't feeling well," he explained. "He did the warm-up and said he wanted to give it a go, but once the game starts and with the pace, he wasn't right.

"Alfie and Cairney, we'll have to see where they are tomorrow. The demands we're asking of these these players... after 75 minutes both teams were running on empty.

"48 hours since the last time we played, and now we've got another 48 hours until we play again. It's relentless, it's tough. I looked at [Stoke centre-back Ryan] Shawcross, who has pulled his calf and had to stay up front.

"We're in dangerous territory, and every team is the same, you're running out there with your fingers crossed, hoping you don't get any big injuries, because the bodies are struggling a little bit. Hopefully, we'll get some recovery into these and we'll go again on Wednesday."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/29/head-coach-press conference

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Reid's goal gives Fulham victory over Stoke

Fulham 1 Stoke 0

Fulham kept up their promotion quest with a deserved, if slightly ponderous victory at Craven Cottage.

A Bobby Decordova-Reid close range effort in the first half was sufficient to see off a Stoke City side who arrived in west London fourth from bottom of the Championship table.

While the Whites – who have moved up to third in the table – exhibited plenty of zest in the opening period, their levels tailed off for the vast majority of the second half, with what would have been a clinical second goal always out of reach. However, with Stoke looking bereft in an attacking sense, Fulham managed to get the job done.

This was the Whites first of three home games in quick succession, but boss Scott Parker made just the single change from the side which drew 3-3 at Luton Town on Boxing Day, Anthony Knockaert coming in for Ivan Cavaleiro.

Fulham started well on a bright festive day in west London and Knockaert was a direct threat along the right hand side. In the 15th minute the Whites almost went ahead when Aleksandar Mitrovic manoeuvred into space to drive a snap shot inside the penalty area from a Josh Onomah pass – but the striker's effort was expertly palmed away by Stoke keeper Jack Butland.

Mitrovic was at the heart of matters seven minutes later, only to head a dipping Cyrus Christie cross over the bar. However, Fulham's patience paid off in 25 minutes when Decordova-Reid netted a simple opener. The midfielder – who did appear to be in an offside position – was on hand to tap the ball home at the far post when Butland could only direct a curled cross from Knockaert into his path.

The Whites had a firm grip on affairs, and Tom Cairney drove a lovely left foot shot inches over from distance, as Stoke were largely on a containment mission. Injured Onamah was, meanwhile, replaced in 36 minutes by Cavaleiro, before Butland denied Mitrovic once more, turning away his close range diving header.

Stoke began the second half with their first proper threat, when Sam Clucas drove the ball into the side netting after ghosting into penalty area space. Michael O'Neill's men began to inch their way back into proceedings, with Fulham unable to double their lead to make the game completely safe.

The Whites clearly lost their sense of urgency compared to the first half, an aspect of their approach that will presumably concern Parker. It took Joe Bryan with a superb, whipped left foot shot, again bringing out the best of Butland, in 74 minutes to dislodge some of their lethargy.

Parker sent on Steven Sessegnon for Tom Cairney with minutes to go in an attempt to shore up the defence, with Fulham keeper Marek Rodak thwarting James McClean's left footed volley amid late desperation from the Potters.

Overall, though, this was a display lacking in some areas for Fulham – but, most importantly, the points were secured.

Fulham: Rodak, Christie, Mawson (Odoi 66), Ream, Bryan, Decordova-Reid, Reed, Cairney (Sessegnon 82), Onomah (Cavaleiro 36), Knockaert, Mitrovic



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/reids-goal-gives-fulham-victory-over-stoke

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Result: Fulham defeat struggling Stoke to move third in Championship

Fulham will end 2019 in third place in the Championship table after Bobby Decordova-Reid's first-half goal earned them a 1-0 win at home to Stoke.

The Potters will hope for a happier 2020 as they end the calendar year fourth from bottom and out of the relegation places only because none of Barnsley, Luton or Wigan could win elsewhere.

Fulham were one of the six clubs Stoke had previously beaten in Championship action this season, with the Potters winning 2-0 in October thanks to goals from Tyrese Campbell and Lee Gregory.

Campbell came off the bench to net a stoppage-time winner in a thrilling 3-2 success over Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day but was back there for this one as Michael O'Neill named an unchanged side.

Fulham also required a goal in added time that day, from Decordova-Reid to secure a 3-3 draw at Luton. Scott Parker made one change, bringing Anthony Knockaert in for Ivan Cavaleiro.

Gregory's early header was easily saved by Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak and it was not until the 16th minute that the hosts created anything memorable in reply.

That required Jack Butland to pull off a fine parry to keep out Aleksandar Mitrovic's drive after Josh Onomah had set up the Serbia striker in the box.

Tom Cairney's loss of footing on the edge of the Stoke box allowed Tom Ince to sprint away on a counter-attack that was stopped illegally by Decordova-Reid, who was booked. Ince was not best pleased by Knockaert landing on top of him either and was also cautioned for retaliating.

Mitrovic headed a decent chance over before Decordova-Reid broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Butland stretched to stop Knockaert's low shot from creeping in at the far post, where his team-mate was lurking for a tap-in. Stoke hopes of an offside flag failed to materialise.

Fulham were on top as Cairney unleashed a long-ranger that was only just too high, but they were forced into a change when Onomah had to be replaced by Cavaleiro in the 37th minute.

The half ended with Butland batting away a Mitrovic header and Stoke replacing Stephen Ward with Bruno Martins Indi at left-back.

Stoke were more menacing after the break, with Sam Clucas smashing a drive into the side netting and Ince screwing an effort wide.

Jordan Cousins was next to have a go, firing straight at Rodak before Alfie Mawson was off target at the other end from a corner. Ryan Shawcross was booked for tugging Mitrovic back but Fulham were no longer the force they were.

Stoke swapped Gregory for Sam Vokes for the final 20 minutes and sent Campbell on too but it was Fulham left-back Joe Bryan who came closest to adding to the scoreline with a shot from a corner routine that Butland did well to tip over.

Stoke piled forward near the end but Rodak kept out James McClean's first-time effort and a header from Danny Batth.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/result/result-fulham-defeat-struggling-stoke-to-move-third-in-championship_384417.html

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 Fulham 1-0 Stoke: Bobby Decordova-Reid sends Cottagers up to third
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at Craven Cottage

Fulham will end 2019 in third place in the Championship table after Bobby Decordova-Reid's first-half goal earned them a 1-0 win at home to Stoke.

The Potters will hope for a happier 2020 as they end the calendar year fourth from bottom and out of the relegation places only because none of Barnsley, Luton or Wigan could win elsewhere.

Fulham were one of the six clubs Stoke had previously beaten in Championship action this season, with the Potters winning 2-0 in October thanks to goals from Tyrese Campbell and Lee Gregory.

Campbell came off the bench to net a stoppage-time winner in a thrilling 3-2 success over Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day but was back there for this one as Michael O'Neill named an unchanged side.

Fulham also required a goal in added time that day, from Decordova-Reid to secure a 3-3 draw at Luton. Scott Parker made one change, bringing Anthony Knockaert in for Ivan Cavaleiro.

Gregory's early header was easily saved by Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak and it was not until the 16th minute that the hosts created anything memorable in reply.

That required Jack Butland to pull off a fine parry to keep out Aleksandar Mitrovic's drive after Josh Onomah had set up the Serbia striker in the box.

Tom Cairney's loss of footing on the edge of the Stoke box allowed Tom Ince to sprint away on a counter-attack that was stopped illegally by Decordova-Reid, who was booked. Ince was not best pleased by Knockaert landing on top of him either and was also cautioned for retaliating.

Mitrovic headed a decent chance over before Decordova-Reid broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Butland stretched to stop Knockaert's low shot from creeping in at the far post, where his team-mate was lurking for a tap-in. Stoke hopes of an offside flag failed to materialise.

Fulham were on top as Cairney unleashed a long-ranger that was only just too high, but they were forced into a change when Onomah had to be replaced by Cavaleiro in the 37th minute.

The half ended with Butland batting away a Mitrovic header and Stoke replacing Stephen Ward with Bruno Martins Indi at left-back.

Stoke were more menacing after the break, with Sam Clucas smashing a drive into the side netting and Ince screwing an effort wide.

Jordan Cousins was next to have a go, firing straight at Rodak before Alfie Mawson was off target at the other end from a corner. Ryan Shawcross was booked for tugging Mitrovic back but Fulham were no longer the force they were.

Stoke swapped Gregory for Sam Vokes for the final 20 minutes and sent Campbell on too but it was Fulham left-back Joe Bryan who came closest to adding to the scoreline with a shot from a corner routine that Butland did well to tip over.

Stoke piled forward near the end but Rodak kept out James McClean's first-time effort and a header from Danny Batth.

What the managers said...

Fulham's Scott Parker: "Bobby is probably one of the only players who could have scored that goal.

"He anticipates things very well and always gets into the right areas. When the ball is in and around the box, nine times out of 10 he is there. His equalising goal against Luton was a similar one to today."

Stoke's Michael O'Neill: "In the first half we struggled a bit to get to the pace of the game, Fulham were a yard sharper than we were. We stopped them playing out from the back, which is what we had set out to do, but we didn't win enough second balls to gain any momentum. We also conceded a number of free-kicks that I thought were remarkably soft.

"In the second half there was a marked improvement but we were effectively down to 10 men in the last 10 to 15 minutes because Ryan Shawcross was injured. I thought we deserved to take something from the game but we couldn't manufacture that clear-cut chance to take something home with us."



https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-stoke/409639

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Fulham move third with win over struggling Stoke

Fulham will end 2019 in third place in the Championship table after Bobby Decordova-Reid's first-half goal earned them a 1-0 win at home to Stoke.

The Potters will hope for a happier 2020 as they end the calendar year fourth from bottom and out of the relegation places only because none of Barnsley, Luton or Wigan could win elsewhere.

Fulham were one of the six clubs Stoke had previously beaten in Championship action this season, with the Potters winning 2-0 in October thanks to goals from Tyrese Campbell and Lee Gregory.

Campbell came off the bench to net a stoppage-time winner in a thrilling 3-2 success over Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day but was back there for this one as Michael O'Neill named an unchanged side.

Fulham also required a goal in added time that day, from Decordova-Reid to secure a 3-3 draw at Luton. Scott Parker made one change, bringing Anthony Knockaert in for Ivan Cavaleiro.

Gregory's early header was easily saved by Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak and it was not until the 16th minute that the hosts created anything memorable in reply.

That required Jack Butland to pull off a fine parry to keep out Aleksandar Mitrovic's drive after Josh Onomah had set up the Serbia striker in the box.

Tom Cairney's loss of footing on the edge of the Stoke box allowed Tom Ince to sprint away on a counter-attack that was stopped illegally by Decordova-Reid, who was booked. Ince was not best pleased by Knockaert landing on top of him either and was also cautioned for retaliating.

Mitrovic headed a decent chance over before Decordova-Reid broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Butland stretched to stop Knockaert's low shot from creeping in at the far post, where his team-mate was lurking for a tap-in. Stoke hopes of an offside flag failed to materialise.

Fulham were on top as Cairney unleashed a long-ranger that was only just too high, but they were forced into a change when Onomah had to be replaced by Cavaleiro in the 37th minute.

The half ended with Butland batting away a Mitrovic header and Stoke replacing Stephen Ward with Bruno Martins Indi at left-back.

Stoke were more menacing after the break, with Sam Clucas smashing a drive into the side netting and Ince screwing an effort wide.

Jordan Cousins was next to have a go, firing straight at Rodak before Alfie Mawson was off target at the other end from a corner. Ryan Shawcross was booked for tugging Mitrovic back but Fulham were no longer the force they were.

Stoke swapped Gregory for Sam Vokes for the final 20 minutes and sent Campbell on too but it was Fulham left-back Joe Bryan who came closest to adding to the scoreline with a shot from a corner routine that Butland did well to tip over.

Stoke piled forward near the end but Rodak kept out James McClean's first-time effort and a header from Danny Batth.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-move-third-win-over-struggling-stoke

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Manager reveals Fulham's interest in eight-goal attacker

Fulham are interested in signing Esteghal striker Mehdi Ghaedi in the January transfer window, the Iranian club's former manager Andrea Stramaccioni has claimed.

Ghaedi is a versatile attacker who can play anywhere across the forward line, and has impressed so far this season, scoring eight goals in 16 league appearances for his current club (as per Soccerway).

It seems that return has caught the attention of Championship promotion chasers Fulham, if the 21-year-old's former manager is to be believed at least.

Speaking to a print edition of Corriere Dello Sport, Stramaccioni, who has just returned from a six-month spell in charge of Esteghal, spoke in glowing terms about Ghaedi's recent development, with the Italian quoted as saying: "One of my greatest satisfactions is having contributed to the growth of Mehdi Ghaedi.

"He is a twenty-year-old boy, last year he played only four games. He was the left-winger, I changed his role, convincing him to make the second striker."

Describing the approach he took with Ghaedi, and the change it has brought about in the forward, as well as that interest from the Championship, Stramaccioni continued: "It was not easy: he's a niche player. The captain came to me to say: mister, leave it alone.

Instead I insisted, thinking of players of his size like Papu Gomez, Di Natale or Giovinco. If they see the goal they become devastating.

"Now he is the top scorer of the championship and Fulham want him."

Esteghal are currently fifth in the Iranian top flight after 16 games of the campaign, five points adrift of league leaders Persepolis with just under half of the season remaining.

The Verdict

This is an intriguing claim from Stramaccioni.

It is hard to know just how he is aware of that interest in Ghaedi from Fulham, and it would be interesting to see how such a move would pan out for the 21-year-old.

You can see why Fulham may want to add to their attacking ranks in January, given they will not want to have to rely on Aleksander Mitrovic alone, particularly if they are faced with interest from the Premier League in their top scorer at the turn of the year, although you wonder whether Ghaedi would be the best fit to fill that role, given the size of the move he would making with a switch to Craven Cottage.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/manager-reveals-fulhams-interest-in-eight-goal-attacker/

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Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham Hold On To Beat Stoke City

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

In this episode, Cottage Talk co-hosts Emilio Di Nello and Max Cohen, who were both at Craven Cottage shared their views on the 1-0 Fulham victory against Stoke City. They talked about the key moments, and also shared who was their Man Of The Match.


Lastly, you can listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/12/29/21041505/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-hold-on-to-beat-stoke-city

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Scott Parker praises Fulham goalscorer Bobby Decordova-Reid

Scott Parker praised Bobby Decordova-Reid for being in the right place at the right time after his goal earned Fulham a 1-0 win at home to Stoke.

The victory lifted Fulham up to third in the Championship table and left the visitors fourth bottom and out of the relegation places on goal difference only.

Decordova-Reid struck in the 26th minute after Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland had parried a shot from Anthony Knockaert into the on-loan Cardiff forward's path for a simple tap-in.

"Bobby is probably one of the only players who could have scored that goal," said Fulham boss Parker.

"He anticipates things very well and always gets into the right areas. When the ball is in and around the box, nine times out of 10 he is there. His equalising goal against Luton was a similar one to today."

That was a reference to the 3-3 draw at Kenilworth Road on Boxing Day that saw Decordova-Reid score twice, including in stoppage time.

Stoke threatened to do just that in this game but home goalkeeper Marek Rodak kept out a shot from James McClean and a header from Danny Batth in a frantic finish.

An equaliser would have been unjust though as Fulham had been the better side, especially in the first 45 minutes, and Parker admitted he was relieved.

"The be all and end all of today was to get the three points and I thought the first 45 minutes was the best I have seen us play all year," he said.

"We were outstanding and limited them to very few chances as well as cutting them open and causing them problems.

"The only negative I had was that we didn't go in more than one up. At half-time we knew Stoke would put us under pressure and we spoke about showing another side to us.

"We knew it might turn into a bit of a slugfest and it proved that way. What was most pleasing was that we did show that other side – sometimes I have doubted that this year.

"Third is a good place to be but in saying that, the way this league has been this year means the table can change very quickly.

"It's a crazy league really and my main focus is carrying on putting points on the board as anything can happen."

Both sides picked up injuries throughout the game and Stoke were unable to replace Ryan Shawcross late on following a calf muscle injury as they had already used three substitutes.

Stoke manager Michael O'Neill lamented his side's poor start, and the Shawcross setback.

"In the first half we struggled a bit to get to the pace of the game, Fulham were a yard sharper than we were," he said.

"We stopped them playing out from the back, which is what we had set out to do, but we didn't win enough second balls to gain any momentum.

"We also conceded a number of free-kicks that I thought were remarkably soft.

"In the second half there was a marked improvement but we were effectively down to 10 men in the last 10 to 15 minutes because Ryan Shawcross was injured.

"I thought we deserved to take something from the game but we couldn't manufacture that clear-cut chance to take something home with us."



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-praises-fulham-goalscorer-bobby-decordova-reid

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Parker delighted with Fulham's defensive improvement

Scott Parker was delighted with Fulham's defensive display against a scrappy Stoke side as the Whites ended 2019 third in the league table.

Having dropped points away at Championship strugglers Luton on Boxing Day through some sloppy goals, the head coach praised his back line for their seventh clean sheet of the season after the 1-0 win.

"Full credit to the defenders this week," Parker said. "Against Luton, they came in for a lot of criticism from me and my staff. We spoke about it after the game.

"Today, I thought they stood up like men. When it was time to roll your sleeves up, do the basics, and keep the ball out of the back of the net, they did that. So that was very pleasing."

The home side, who recorded a third consecutive 1-0 league victory against the Potters at Craven Cottage, came out of the blocks quickly and put Stoke under plenty of pressure – racking up 72% possession but converting only one of their numerous chances, before the visitors finally got going in the second half.

Parker added: "I thought the first 45 minutes were the best I've seen us play all year. We were outstanding – the structure of our team and the positions were spot on. We limited them to very few chances and at the same time we cut them open and caused them a lot of problems.

"The only slight negative I have is that we didn't go in [to the half-time break] more than one up. We knew that playing against this Stoke team, they were going to come and put us under pressure.

"We had to show another side to us, in the sense that this may not be the pretty football match that we made it in the first half, or have the control that we had – that it might turn into a bit of a slugfest, really. I think it proved that way.

"But what was most pleasing for me is that we showed that other side to us. Sometimes I doubted that a little bit this year when the game becomes a slog and we came up short."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/parker-delighted-with-fulhams-defensive-improvement

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Decordova-Reid sinks Stoke

This was the archetypal game of two halves. For 45 minutes, Fulham were at their fluent best. They passed their way through a hesitant and jittery Stoke almost at will and should have been far further ahead than the single goal that an in-form Bobby Decordova-Reid snaffled at the far post following some dangerous approach play from Anthony Knockaert. But that dominant Fulham were dormant after the break and, only some poor Stoke finishing, prevented them from paying the price for their lethargy as Michael O'Neill's men finished by far the stronger.

Scott Parker, perhaps bruised by a crazy Boxing Day draw at Luton Town, opted to praise his side's defensive fortitude after the final whistle. It had been seven games since the Whites had recorded a clean sheet but they were far from convincing, especially after Alfie Mawson had departed midway through the second period having injured his knee again. The nerves around Craven Cottage were palpable in the final ten minutes when Parker replaced ineffectual captain Tom Cairney with Steven Sessegnon and switched to a back five – something which only invited a sustained aerial bombardment from an emboldened Stoke side.

The Potters might consider themselves unfortunate not to have come away with a point. They forced a succession of late corners and Marek Rodak produced an excellent late save at his post to keep out a volley from James McClean after the former Sunderland winger had latched onto a clever flick-on from substitute Sam Vokes. On another day, one of the loose balls that bounced around in the Fulham box would have fallen kindly for a Stoke forward, but the hosts clung on to three precious points.

Such a nerve-shredding ending didn't appear likely at all as the home side made all the early running. The recalled Anthony Knockaert started as if he had a point to prove, testing Jack Butland with an early cross-shot from the right, before Josh Onomah underlined his recent improvement from the heart of midfield. His strength and desire took him away from Ryan Shawcross and a lovely disguised pass played in Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Serbian's precise shot was beaten away by Butland.

Decordova-Reid and Joe Bryan were dovetailing beautifully along the left flank for Fulham, although the former was booked for a professional foul on Tom Ince as Stoke threatened a counter-attack from a Fulham corner. Fulham continued to play on the front foot and, as Knockaert roamed inside, space opened up for Cyrus Christie. The Republic of Ireland international enjoyed a fruitful afternoon at right back and sent over a delicious cross that Mitrovic should have converted instead of planting a free header over the bar from close range.

The chances were mounting up for Fulham and they soon went in front. Another period of probing in front of the Stoke defence culminated with Knockaert finding more space on the right and, although Butland was able to parry the French winger's low cross, Decordova-Reid was on hand to slide home his third goal in two games. The hosts might have had more before the break but Cairney curled an effort fractionally wide from outside the box and Butland did brilliantly to claw away a Mitrovic header at the far post.

Fulham failed to start the second half with a similar intensity and it was Stoke who created the early chances. Lee Gregory did well to link up with Sam Clucas inside the home penalty area, but the former Hull midfielder could only rasp the side netting with a fierce drive. At the other end, Mitrovic almost released Decordova-Reid inside the box but a fine tackle from Danny Baath prevented him from making the most of the opportunity.

Stoke were seeing far more of the ball than during the first half and Rodak had to be alert to field a speculative shot from Jordan Cousins after an encouraging spell of possession for the visitors. Fulham's own attempts on goal were far more sporadic: Mawson couldn't get a clean connection on a corner and dragged an effort wide, whilst Butland produced a superb one-handed save to deny Bryan's piledriver from distance after a quick free-kick.

As time ticked by, Stoke looked like the more likely scorers. Substitute Tyrese Campbell, who scored the opener in Stoke's home win over Fulham back in November, snatched a little at an effort that Rodak got down well to smother before Parker's early withdrawal of Cairney signalled that the Whites were happy to try and hold onto their slender advantage. Stoke, playing with an injured Shawcross as an additional centre forward at this point, threw bodies forward but their clearest chance fell to McClean, who was bravely denied by Rodak.

Ream hacked a late effort from Joe Allen clear from underneath his own crossbar during six minutes of stoppage time and it said everything about how the balance of power had shifted within this contest that Fulham were relieved to hear the final whistle. The victory takes Parker's side back to third in the table – nine points behind Leeds and West Brom – but the Whites will need to be far more clinical should they wish to mount a serious automatic promotion push in the new year.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; Christie, Bryan, Mawson (Odoi 67), Ream; Reed, Onomah (Cavaleiro 37), Cairney (S. Sessegnon 84); Knockaert, Decordova-Reid, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Johansen, O'Riley, Kamara.

BOOKED: Decordova-Reid, Rodak.

GOAL: Decordova-Reid (26).

STOKE CITY (4-3-3): Butland; Smith, Ward (Martins-Indi 42), Shawcross, Baath; Allen, Cousins (Campbell 75), Clucas; Ince, McClean, Gregory (Vokes 69). Subs (not used): Davies, Lindsay, Woods, Biram Diouf.

BOOKED: Ince, Shawcorss, Martins-Indi.

REFEREE: Andy Davies (Hampshire).

ATTENDANCE: 18,747.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2019/12/decordova-reid-sinks-stoke/

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Exclusive: Pundit names 18-goal attacker as 'Perfect' Everton signing in January

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic would be the ideal signing for Everton during the January transfer window, according to Noel Whelan.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, the former Leeds forward and broadcast pundit says the Toffees are in need of an out-and-out goalscorer after a disappointing first half of the season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison lead the club's goalscoring charts with ten and eight strikes respectively, the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Tom Davies, Alex Iwobi and Bernard chipping in with two apiece.

However, Whelan insists that additional firepower is needed at Goodison Park and that Mitrovic, who has 18 goals in 24 appearances this season, would be the perfect capture.

Whelan told Football Insider: "One thing that they have to do at Everton is get a goalscorer, get someone that's going to get you 20 goals a season.

"Mitrovic would be great, he would have been perfect but it looks like he wants to stay at Fulham.

"They need to look for somebody. You've got to have someone who's hitting 20 a season and being more prolific if they're going to make that next step. That's the one thing I think they're missing, an out-and-out goalscorer at Everton."

Mitrovic initially joined Fulham on loan from Newcastle United back in January 2018 and hit 12 goals in 17 appearances in the Championship, convincing the Cottagers to turn his loan permanent.

He struck 11 times in the Premier League last season on the way to relegation, while he has failed to net in just 10 of the club's 25 Championship games this term.

The Serbian international has a total of 21 goals from 71 Premier League appearances.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-pundit-touts-18-goal-attacker-as-perfect-everton-signing-in-january/

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Reading Tickets

There's still time to join us for New Year's Day action at Craven Cottage as Fulham take on Reading in the Sky Bet Championship.

Fulham's first match of 2020 sees the Royals visit SW6 on Wednesday 1st January, kick-off 3pm.

Tickets are on General Sale with supporters able to purchase up to six tickets per person for this fixture, and can be secured online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt. 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/30/reading-tickets