Sunday Fulham Stuff - 02/02/20...

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Results

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

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 3-2 Huddersfield Town

Aleksandar Mitrovic's goal proved the winner for Fulham.

Fulham emerged victorious after a frantic first half to enhance their promotion credentials and nudge Huddersfield closer to the relegation zone.

The Whites raced into a 3-0 lead after 31 minutes, with Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic all netting.

But Huddersfield quickly replied with goals from Arsenal loanee Emile Smith Rowe and Steve Mounie.

Fulham keeper Marek Rodak then kept the Terriers at bay in the second half as Fulham moved to within three points of the automatic promotion places.
Having endured 274 minutes without a goal in all competitions, three came in rapid succession for Fulham as Serbia international Mitrovic returned following three weeks out with an ankle injury.

Decordova-Reid ended the mini-drought in superb fashion, cutting inside and beating Richard Stearman before curling home.

Cairney volleyed in the second and when Mitrovic converted Joe Bryan's cross, Fulham looked to have sealed the points.

Huddersfield had other ideas, and Smith Rowe fired in with the help of a deflection and then set up Mounie for his fifth goal in eight games.

Fulham were indebted to Rodak, who denied Karlan Grant three times in the second half, and also produced a save to keep out Smith Rowe.

Defeat means Huddersfield are now 20th, just three points above the bottom three.

Fulham manager Scott Parker told BBC Radio London:

"Those are the games that take a few years off you. The first 38 minutes we were very good and we were clinical in the way we played.

"We should have put Huddersfield to the sword and instead I am disappointed in the way we take our foot off the pedal. It looked like we got a bit complacent, and at that point you give a team like Huddersfield a fighting chance.

"In the second half we were holding on and I am glad we got the result. Ultimately it was down to a lack of intensity."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51246230

[WhiteJC]

Head Coach press conference

Scott Parker thinks lessons can be learnt from Fulham's 3-2 victory over Huddersfield Town.

Three goals with little more than half an hour played appeared to have the game wrapped up, but the visitors nabbed two soft goals before the break to ensure a nervy second half.

"First and foremost, the result is key," Parker stated. "I was pleased with the first 35 minutes, but then we took our foot off the pedal.

"We had got ourselves into that position of being 3-0 up and in any football match that can come back and bite you. I felt we dropped our intensity and the game became too easy for them.

"The first two times Huddersfield entered our box they scored two goals and then had something to chase down.

"At 3-0 they looked dejected, and I thought we should have put them to the sword, so I was a little bit disappointed.

"The way we saw the game out is a positive, but certainly there are lessons that we can learn from today's game.

"I feel like we're growing as a team. At the beginning of the season this game probably ends in a draw. Like I said, there were some disappointing bits, but we got the result and we move on."

Aleksandar Mitrović made a welcome return following an ankle injury, and scored what proved to be the winner.

"He's done very well," Parker said. "He only started training with us on Thursday and has been working hard these last few weeks.

"He's played 90 minutes today and got his goal and also showed his quality towards the end of the game.

"He's done the work needed over the last week and put a great performance in today, so fair play to Mitro."

Another key performer was Marek Rodák, who made six excellent saves in the second half to keep Huddersfield at bay.

"He had nothing to do in the first half apart from pick the ball out of his net and touch the ball with his feet a couple of times," Parker said. "When he was called upon in the second half he showed composure and made some amazing saves."




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/february/01/head-coach-press conference

[WhiteJC]

Cisse Departs

The Club can confirm that Ibrahima Cissé has left Fulham after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

Cissé joined the Whites in the summer of 2017 and went on to make 13 appearances for the Club.

We would like to thank Ibrahima for his efforts during his time in SW6, and wish him the best of luck in his future career.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/february/01/ibrahima-cisse-contract-cancelled

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 3 Huddersfield Town 2: Terriers' fightback falls just short

Fulham climbed up to third place in the Championship with their third victory in four matches after surviving a scare to beat Huddersfield 3-2.

Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Fulham 3-0 ahead and apparently out of sight by the 31st minute but Emile Smith Rowe and Steve Mounie made it 3-2 before the interval.

The visitors gave them an almighty scare and could have grabbed a point by the final whistle but Scott Parker's men held on to claim their tenth home win of the season and close the gap on second-placed Leeds to just three points.

Fulham were ahead after 10 minutes when Decordova-Reid, out on the left touchline, controlled a well-hit crossfield pass from Michael Hector and hooked the ball past makeshift Huddersfield right back Juninho Bacuna.

He then charged into the penalty area, sidestepped Richard Stearman and opened his body before shooting past goalkeeper Joel Coleman.

The home side doubled their advantage after 15 minutes. Right back Cyrus Christie drove in a low cross and Fulham captain Cairney flicked the ball up in front of him and volleyed it on the turn past Coleman's right hand.

Huddersfield tried to get back into the game with some neat passing down each wing but their final ball came to nothing and they were 3-0 down on the half-hour to another well-worked goal.

Cairney sent Joe Bryan clear with a lofted pass and the left back's low cross was met at the near post by Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose flick appeared to take a touch off Christopher Schindler on its way past Coleman and just under the crossbar.

It was the Serbian's 19th league goal of the season and marked his return after three games out with an ankle injury.

The Terriers reduced the arrears after 35 minutes when Schindler diverted Bacuna's free kick into the path of Smith Rowe, and a combination of his shot and Denis Odoi's challenge sent the ball past Marek Rodak.

Their tails up, the visitors snatched another goal back four minutes later. Bacuna's through pass gave Smith Rowe the chance to cross from the right and Mounie bundled the ball in at the far post. It was the fifth shot on target in the match and all five had gone in.

Huddersfield did their best to continue their revival after the interval and Rodak saved well from Karlan Grant on three occasions and then dropped onto an angled shot from Smith Rowe.

Chances for Fulham were now rare and substitute Aboubakar Kamara drove the best one high past the near post after 78 minutes.

That left the home side hanging on in the dying minutes as Huddersfield attacked in waves. Frazier Campbell's deflected shot almost gave them what would have been a deserved leveller and Elias Kachunga put a chance over the bar in the fifth of six minutes of added time.



https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-3-huddersfield-town-2-terriers-fightback-falls-just-short-1-10233774

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Result: Fulham beat Huddersfield to move up to third

Fulham climbed up to third place in the Championship with their third victory in four matches after surviving a scare to beat Huddersfield 3-2.

Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Fulham 3-0 ahead and apparently out of sight by the 31st minute but Emile Smith Rowe and Steve Mounie made it 3-2 before the interval.

The visitors gave them an almighty scare and could have grabbed a point by the final whistle but Scott Parker's men held on to claim their tenth home win of the season and close the gap on second-placed Leeds to just three points.

Fulham were ahead after 10 minutes when Decordova-Reid, out on the left touchline, controlled a well-hit crossfield pass from Michael Hector and hooked the ball past makeshift Huddersfield right back Juninho Bacuna.

He then charged into the penalty area, sidestepped Richard Stearman and opened his body before shooting past goalkeeper Joel Coleman.

The home side doubled their advantage after 15 minutes. Right back Cyrus Christie drove in a low cross and Fulham captain Cairney flicked the ball up in front of him and volleyed it on the turn past Coleman's right hand.

Huddersfield tried to get back into the game with some neat passing down each wing but their final ball came to nothing and they were 3-0 down on the half-hour to another well-worked goal.

Cairney sent Joe Bryan clear with a lofted pass and the left back's low cross was met at the near post by Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose flick appeared to take a touch off Christopher Schindler on its way past Coleman and just under the crossbar.

It was the Serbian's 19th league goal of the season and marked his return after three games out with an ankle injury.

The Terriers reduced the arrears after 35 minutes when Schindler diverted Bacuna's free kick into the path of Smith Rowe, and a combination of his shot and Denis Odoi's challenge sent the ball past Marek Rodak.

Their tails up, the visitors snatched another goal back four minutes later. Bacuna's through pass gave Smith Rowe the chance to cross from the right and Mounie bundled the ball in at the far post. It was the fifth shot on target in the match and all five had gone in.

Huddersfield did their best to continue their revival after the interval and Rodak saved well from Karlan Grant on three occasions and then dropped onto an angled shot from Smith Rowe.

Chances for Fulham were now rare and substitute Aboubakar Kamara drove the best one high past the near post after 78 minutes.

That left the home side hanging on in the dying minutes as Huddersfield attacked in waves. Frazier Campbell's deflected shot almost gave them what would have been a deserved leveller and Elias Kachunga put a chance over the bar in the fifth of six minutes of added time.




https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/championship-promotion-race/result/result-fulham-beat-huddersfield-to-move-up-to-third_388468.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham survive Huddersfield fightback to move third in Championship

Fulham climbed up to third place in the Championship with their third victory in four matches after surviving a scare to beat Huddersfield 3-2.

Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Fulham 3-0 ahead and apparently out of sight by the 31st minute but Emile Smith Rowe and Steve Mounie made it 3-2 before the interval.

The visitors gave them an almighty scare and could have grabbed a point by the final whistle but Scott Parker's men held on to claim their tenth home win of the season and close the gap on second-placed Leeds to just three points.

Fulham were ahead after 10 minutes when Decordova-Reid, out on the left touchline, controlled a well-hit crossfield pass from Michael Hector and hooked the ball past makeshift Huddersfield right back Juninho Bacuna.

He then charged into the penalty area, sidestepped Richard Stearman and opened his body before shooting past goalkeeper Joel Coleman.

The home side doubled their advantage after 15 minutes. Right back Cyrus Christie drove in a low cross and Fulham captain Cairney flicked the ball up in front of him and volleyed it on the turn past Coleman's right hand.

Huddersfield tried to get back into the game with some neat passing down each wing but their final ball came to nothing and they were 3-0 down on the half-hour to another well-worked goal.

Cairney sent Joe Bryan clear with a lofted pass and the left back's low cross was met at the near post by Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose flick appeared to take a touch off Christopher Schindler on its way past Coleman and just under the crossbar.

It was the Serbian's 19th league goal of the season and marked his return after three games out with an ankle injury.

The Terriers reduced the arrears after 35 minutes when Schindler diverted Bacuna's free kick into the path of Smith Rowe, and a combination of his shot and Denis Odoi's challenge sent the ball past Marek Rodak.

Their tails up, the visitors snatched another goal back four minutes later. Bacuna's through pass gave Smith Rowe the chance to cross from the right and Mounie bundled the ball in at the far post. It was the fifth shot on target in the match and all five had gone in.

Huddersfield did their best to continue their revival after the interval and Rodak saved well from Karlan Grant on three occasions and then dropped onto an angled shot from Smith Rowe.

Chances for Fulham were now rare and substitute Aboubakar Kamara drove the best one high past the near post after 78 minutes.

That left the home side hanging on in the dying minutes as Huddersfield attacked in waves. Frazier Campbell's deflected shot almost gave them what would have been a deserved leveller and Elias Kachunga put a chance over the bar in the fifth of six minutes of added time.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-survive-huddersfield-fightback-move-third-championship

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Fulham hold off Huddersfield fightback to boost promotion hopes


Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after his goal gave Fulham a 3-0 lead at home to Huddersfield Town Photograph: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

Scott Parker warned his Fulham players that they must learn lessons after what looked like being a comfortable win turned into a narrow escape.

Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic put Fulham 3-0 ahead by the 31st minute only for Huddersfield to hit back through Emile Smith Rowe and Steve Mounié before the interval.

Fulham hung on to secure the three points that took them up to third place in the Championship but Parker was unhappy with the way the visitors had been allowed back into the match.

"First and foremost the result is key and I'm pleased with that," he said. "But take your foot off the pedal and take liberties, or go against what has got you 3-0 up, and it can come back to bite you. We dropped our intensity and it felt as if the game had become too easy for us.

"At 3-0, they looked dejected and we should have put them to the sword by carrying on doing what has got us there, so I was disappointed in that.

"For 31 minutes I thought we were sensational. But the bits in between were poor and I didn't like us one bit. If you see out the game there is some positive there but we are a young team and we need to learn from today.

"One positive was that we did hang on. Earlier in the season that might have ended in a draw.

"One thing that has been levelled against this team is that we are a bit soft and struggle to hold on to games. The keeper [Marek Rodak] had nothing to do in the first-half but pick the ball out of the net twice, but he showed composure and pulled out some good saves for us."

Fulham took the lead after 10 minutes when Decordova-Reid cut in from the left, sidestepped Richard Stearman and fired past Joel Coleman.

Cairney doubled the home side's advantage five minutes later with a neat flick and volley from Cyrus Christie's low cross before Mitrovic scored his 19th league goal of the season to seemingly put the game to bed.

Huddersfield reduced the arrears after 35 minutes when Smith Rowe pounced on a diverted free-kick from Juninho Bacuna and it was 3-2 four minutes later as Smith Rowe crossed for Mounié to bundle home at the far post.

Huddersfield pushed for an equaliser in the second half with Rodak saving well from Karlan Grant on three occasions while Fraizer Campbell and Elias Kachunga went close in a frantic finale.

The Huddersfield manager, Danny Cowley, felt his players had reacted well to a difficult situation. He said: "We started well but they scored from their first attack. Then they scored with their second and third attacks and you are shell-shocked.

"At 3-0 down to a Fulham in free-flow you can easily go under and we didn't. I thought we were resolute and showed determination and grit.

"I like to see players when they face adversity and their backs are against the wall. I was pleased with what I saw and that gives me confidence and trust in them going forward.

"Today was probably our best performance with the ball."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/01/fulham-huddersfield-championship-match-report

[WhiteJC]

 Fulham 3-2 Huddersfield: Scott Parker's Cottagers close on Championship top two
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at Craven Cottage

Fulham climbed up to third place in the Championship with their third victory in four matches after surviving a scare to beat Huddersfield 3-2.

Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Fulham 3-0 ahead and apparently out of sight by the 31st minute but Emile Smith Rowe and Steve Mounie made it 3-2 before the interval.

The visitors gave them an almighty scare and could have grabbed a point by the final whistle but Scott Parker's men held on to claim their 10th home win of the season and close the gap on second-placed Leeds to just three points.

Fulham were ahead after 10 minutes when Decordova-Reid, out on the left touchline, controlled a well-hit crossfield pass from Michael Hector and hooked the ball past makeshift Huddersfield right back Juninho Bacuna.

He then charged into the penalty area, sidestepped Richard Stearman and opened his body before shooting past goalkeeper Joel Coleman.

The home side doubled their advantage after 15 minutes. Right-back Cyrus Christie drove in a low cross and Fulham captain Cairney flicked the ball up in front of him and volleyed it on the turn past Coleman's right hand.

Huddersfield tried to get back into the game with some neat passing down each wing but their final ball came to nothing and they were 3-0 down on the half-hour to another well-worked goal.


Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 19th goal of the season in the victory over Huddersfield

Cairney sent Joe Bryan clear with a lofted pass and the left back's low cross was met at the near post by Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose flick appeared to take a touch off Christopher Schindler on its way past Coleman and just under the crossbar.

It was the Serbian's 19th league goal of the season and marked his return after three games out with an ankle injury.

The Terriers reduced the arrears after 35 minutes when Schindler diverted Bacuna's free-kick into the path of Smith Rowe, and a combination of his shot and Denis Odoi's challenge sent the ball past Marek Rodak.

Their tails up, the visitors snatched another goal back four minutes later. Bacuna's through pass gave Smith Rowe the chance to cross from the right and Mounie bundled the ball in at the far post. It was the fifth shot on target in the match and all five had gone in.

Huddersfield did their best to continue their revival after the interval and Rodak saved well from Karlan Grant on three occasions and then dropped onto an angled shot from Smith Rowe.

Chances for Fulham were now rare and substitute Aboubakar Kamara drove the best one high past the near post after 78 minutes.

That left the home side hanging on in the dying minutes as Huddersfield attacked in waves. Frazier Campbell's deflected shot almost gave them what would have been a deserved leveller and Elias Kachunga put a chance over the bar in the fifth of six minutes of added time.

What the managers said...
Fulham's Scott Parker: "First and foremost the result is key and I'm pleased with that. But take your foot off the pedal and take liberties, or go against what has got you 3-0 up, and in this division or in any football match it can come back to bite you. We dropped our intensity and it felt as if the game had become too easy for us.

"For 31 minutes I thought we were sensational. But the bits in between were poor and I didn't like us one bit. If you see out the game there is some positive there, but we are a young team and we need to learn from today. One positive was that we did hang on. Earlier in the season that might have ended in a draw."

Huddersfield's Danny Cowley: "We started well but they scored from their first attack. Then they scored with their second and third attacks and you are shell-shocked. Fulham are a wonderful football team but they only had three shots on target the whole game. They have not carved us apart by any stretch of the imagination.

"At 3-0 down to a Fulham in free-flow you can easily go under and we didn't. I thought we were resolute and showed determination and grit. Defeats don't do anything for me but the process was good. We didn't have many chances against us and there were seeds in our attacking play. I'd like to think that people can start to see an identity. Today was probably our best performance with the ball."



https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-huddsfld/report/409700

[WhiteJC]

Football League: Leeds slip up again as West Brom take over top spot

    Brentford crush Hull as Forest run comes to its end
    Rotherham surge clear, happy return for Swindon's Doyle

Championship

Leeds slipped up at home to Wigan in the latest dramatic twist at the top of the table, by losing 1-0 despite utterly dominating their relegation-threatened opponents. Pablo Hernández's own-goal proved decisive as Marcelo Bielsa's team missed a host of chances, with Jack Harrison hitting the woodwork, and Patrick Bamford having two shots cleared off the line. That made it three defeats from four for Leeds, who now have Fulham within three points, having been 11 points clear of third place in mid-December. Losing to Wigan last season proved costly and may do so again in this season's promotion race.

West Brom were able to take advantage and climb back to the top of the table with their first league victory in 2020 and in eight games, beating Luton 2-0. Donervon Daniels' own goal after a cross by newly arrived loanee Callum Robinson settled nerves for the Baggies and victory was completed by Semi Ajayi's 70th-minute strike.

Nottingham Forest are back in fourth after their first loss in seven matches. Scott Hogan, on his Birmingham debut, equalised at St Andrews after Tiago Silva had put Forest ahead. Hogan struck after Blues goalkeeper had saved a penalty from Lewis Grabban, before Kristian Pedersen bundled home the winner.

Hull began life without Jarrod Bowen and Kamil Grosicki by being on the end of a thrashing from a rampant Brentford, for whom Said Benrahma scored a hat-trick. Reece Burke headed into his own net before Ollie Watkins's headed goal completed the scoring for the Bees, whose goalkeeper David Raya may wish to forget letting a Ryan Tafazolli back-pass escape under his foot for Hull's goal.

Resurgent Bristol City complete the play-off quartet after a fourth win in succession came at QPR courtesy of Famara Diedhiou's diving header. Preston and Swansea's 1-1 draw slowed their challenge for the top six, with Rhian Brewster, on loan from Liverpool, cancelling out Scott Sinclair's strike against his former employers. Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall played out a goalless draw that did either little good as their play-offs hopes dwindle.

Luton remain bottom, but only on goal difference as Barnsley lost 2-1 at Charlton, who got only their second win in 18 league matches, with Andre Green grabbing the decisive goal.

Middlesbrough are seven points clear of third-bottom Wigan but remain winless after Blackburn sub Hayden Coulson cancelled out Lewis Travis's opener.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/01/football-league-leeds-slip-up-again-as-fulham-breathe-down-their-necks

[WhiteJC]

Fulham boss Parker calls for lessons to be learned after narrow win

Fulham head coach Scott Parker warned his players that they must learn lessons from a potentially comfortable win over Huddersfield that turned into a narrow escape.

Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Fulham 3-0 ahead by the 31st minute before Huddersfield hit back through Emile Smith Rowe and Steve Mounie before the interval as the game finished 3-2.

Although his team hung on for three points that took them up to third place in the Championship table, Parker was unhappy with the way the visitors had been allowed back into the match.

"First and foremost the result is key and I'm pleased with that," he said. "But take your foot off the pedal and take liberties, or go against what has got you 3-0 up, and in this division or in any football match it can come back to bite you. We dropped our intensity and it felt as if the game had become too easy for us.

"At 3-0 they looked dejected and we should have put them to the sword by carrying on doing what has got us there, so I was disappointed in that. ]

"For 31 minutes I thought we were sensational. But the bits in between were poor and I didn't like us one bit. If you see out the game there is some positive there, but we are a young team and we need to learn from today.

"One positive was that we did hang on. Earlier in the season that might have ended in a draw.

"One thing that has been levelled against this team is that we are a bit soft and struggle to hold on to games. Today the keeper (Marek Rodak) had nothing to do in the first half but pick the ball out of the net twice but he showed composure and pulled out some good saves for us."

Huddersfield manager Danny Cowley felt that the game had given him useful insight into the team he took over in September and that his players had reacted well to a difficult situation.

"We started well but they scored from their first attack," he said. "Then they scored with their second and third attacks and you are shell-shocked.

"Fulham are a wonderful football team but they only had three shots on target the whole game. They have not carved us apart by any stretch of the imagination.

"At 3-0 down to a Fulham in free-flow you can easily go under and we didn't. I thought we were resolute and showed determination and grit.

"I like to see players when they face adversity and their backs are against the wall. I was pleased with what I saw and that gives me confidence and trust in them going forward.

"Defeats don't do anything for me but the process was good. We didn't have many chances against us and there were seeds in our attacking play. I'd like to think that people can start to see an identity. Today was probably our best performance with the ball."



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-boss-parker-calls-lessons-be-learned-after-narrow-win

[WhiteJC]

Scott Parker unhappy with Fulham's failure to put Huddersfield "to the sword"

Fulham head coach Scott Parker warned his players that they must learn lessons from a potentially comfortable win over Huddersfield that turned into a narrow escape.

Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Fulham 3-0 ahead by the 31st minute before Huddersfield hit back through Emile Smith Rowe and Steve Mounie before the interval as the game finished 3-2.

Although his team hung on for three points that took them up to third place in the Championship table, Parker was unhappy with the way the visitors had been allowed back into the match.

"First and foremost the result is key and I'm pleased with that," he said. "But take your foot off the pedal and take liberties, or go against what has got you 3-0 up, and in this division or in any football match it can come back to bite you. We dropped our intensity and it felt as if the game had become too easy for us.

"At 3-0 they looked dejected and we should have put them to the sword by carrying on doing what has got us there, so I was disappointed in that. ]

"For 31 minutes I thought we were sensational. But the bits in between were poor and I didn't like us one bit. If you see out the game there is some positive there, but we are a young team and we need to learn from today.

"One positive was that we did hang on. Earlier in the season that might have ended in a draw.

"One thing that has been levelled against this team is that we are a bit soft and struggle to hold on to games. Today the keeper (Marek Rodak) had nothing to do in the first half but pick the ball out of the net twice but he showed composure and pulled out some good saves for us."

Huddersfield manager Danny Cowley felt that the game had given him useful insight into the team he took over in September and that his players had reacted well to a difficult situation.

"We started well but they scored from their first attack," he said. "Then they scored with their second and third attacks and you are shell-shocked.

"Fulham are a wonderful football team but they only had three shots on target the whole game. They have not carved us apart by any stretch of the imagination.

"At 3-0 down to a Fulham in free-flow you can easily go under and we didn't. I thought we were resolute and showed determination and grit.

"I like to see players when they face adversity and their backs are against the wall. I was pleased with what I saw and that gives me confidence and trust in them going forward.

"Defeats don't do anything for me but the process was good. We didn't have many chances against us and there were seeds in our attacking play. I'd like to think that people can start to see an identity. Today was probably our best performance with the ball."




https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/scott-parker-unhappy-with-fulhams-failure-to-put-huddersfield-to-the-sword_388486.html

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham vs. Huddersfield Town

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

In this episode, co-hosts Emilio Di Nello, Joe Tivy, and special guest Jeremy King who is a Huddersfield Town supporter, shared their initial reactions to Fulham's 3-2 victory. They also shared their thoughts on the turning point of the match, and who was Man Of The Match.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2020/2/1/21118342/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-vs-huddersfield-town

[WhiteJC]

February Madness

What a day for Fulham Football Club. We might have made it difficult for ourselves, but our win over Huddersfield alongside defeats for Leeds and Nottingham Forest means that we jump to third in the table, just three points off second. Before Christmas, the race for automatic promotion didn't exist. Leeds and West Brom seemed too far away for anyone to really threaten, but now we stand here with 16 games to go and just SIX points separates West Brom in first and Bristol City in sixth. We really do have an extraordinary run in ahead of us, although I'm not sure if my heart can take it!

While we can be feeling very positive right now, I'm sure there were a few disappointed people amongst the fanbase given our unusually quiet transfer deadline day on Friday. I was hoping for a wing back in the door at Motspur Park, myself, but when we look at the business that we did get done, I think we can be happy enough. Making both Cavaleiro's and De Cordova-Reid's loan deals permanent is very good business while bringing in another centre back in Terence Kongolo, alongside finally being able to use Michael Hector, the core of our defence already looks far better. We have yet to see Kongolo and Hector together as our centre back pairing in the league, and I think once we do, we will start to see an improvement there. I am still concerned about our left back and right back spots, but hopefully Joe Bryan can start to regain some of the form that saw him become one of the best left backs in the league when he was at Bristol City. However, both him and Cyrus gained assists today, so going forward we have players who can contribute to the attack.

Going forward we are one of the strongest teams in the league and we showed that again today. I was worried when I saw that Mitrovic was in the starting line up as it doesn't seem like that long ago that he gained his ankle injury in the first place, but thankfully he returned with a bang, netting his 19th league goal of the season and managing to play the full match. It's great to see him back.

I like to split the season into months, and if there is any month that could push our promotion bid on, or completely derail it, it's February. We have seven league games this month, including our win today. We are so used to hearing that the Christmas schedule is busy, but this is something else. Seven league games, two taking place midweek and three of them on the road. While we don't face any of the teams in the top 6, we do have to take on four of the play-off chasers in Preston, Swansea, Millwall and Blackburn, so we aren't in for an easy month.

Automatic promotion is still in our hands, but we absolutely must keep our head above the water. There will be twists and turns in the coming weeks, but we really can't be dropping any silly points. We could easily finish outside the play-offs, even, that's just how tight it is.

Bring it on.

#COYW



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/february-madness/

[WhiteJC]

Rodak repels Huddersfield comeback

Only Fulham could buzz around like Brazilians for half an hour, strolling into a three-goal lead, surrender the initiative by conceding a couple of quick goals and spend the rest of a crazy afternoon hanging on for three points. Relief rather than rapture greeted the final whistle at Craven Cottage – especially after a string of superb saves from Marek Rodak prevented Huddersfield from completing one of the most unlikely comebacks of the season.

Such was their dominance of the second period, the Terriers could probably count themselves unlucky not to be heading home with a point. Rodak made three high quality stops to deny the lively Karlan Grant and kept out an effort from the impressive Arsenal loanee Emile Smith-Rowe, before some desperate defending from Cyrus Christie diverted Frazier Campbell's effort wide when the substitute seemed destined to score and Elias Kuchanga fired over in the final minute of stoppage time.

Danny Cowley was left to rue a succession of defensive lapses that left the visitors with just too big a mountain to climb. Fulham looked far more potent with Aleksandar Mitrovic leading the line after the Serbian striker made an earlier than expected return from his ankle injury, although the opening goal on ten minutes owed everything to the individual brilliance of a man who had been shouldering the striking burden in Mitrovic's absence. Bobby Decordova-Reid submitted a contender for goal of the season with a sensational strike in the tenth minute. There appeared little on when he collected a raking ball from Michael Hector on the left flank, but he burst past Juninho Baptista, shimmied inside former Fulham defender Richard Stearman and measured a fabulous finish into the far corner.

Fulham were fast out of the traps and brimming with confidence. Their second was wonderfully worked five minutes later. Christie cruised deep into Huddersfield territory and drilled a low ball into Tom Cairney, but the Scottish international flicked it up before lashing a gorgeous volley beyond Joel Campbell with his weaker right foot in the blink of an eye. The visitors looked shellshocked with their own attempts at pretty passing triangles falling short – and they looked dead and buried when the Whites added a third just after the half hour mark.

This time Cairney and Joe Bryan combined well down the left with the full back's teasing ball expertly flicked into the net by the returning Mitrovic, who had shrugged off the attentions of Stearman and Christopher Schlinder to register nineteenth of the season. At that stage, the only question appeared how many Fulham might notch up – but the contest quickly became a more competitive one as a spirited Huddersfield side roared back before half-time.

Both goals were probably preventable. Schlinder returned a half-cleared free-kick with interest from the right and Smith-Rowe forced the ball home from close range, despite Denis Odoi's best efforts to clear. There was plenty of time for the Terriers to stage a revival and they narrowed the arrears to a single goal just four minutes later. Bacuna robbed Decordova-Reid of possession and was allowed to run almost 50 yards almost unchallenged before finding Smith-Rowe on the right and Steve Mounie clinically converted the youngster's low cross to give Town real belief.

Huddersfield began the second half in the same vein. Rodak tipped over a venomous free-kick from Grant after a dangerous Smith-Rowe run was cynically ended by Kevin McDonald's late lunge. Grant, who had been subdued for much of the first half, was quickly becoming a potent threat and was repelled by Rodak at the near post after a smart interchange with Smith-Rowe. The Arsenal midfielder was next to be denied by a stretching Rodak, who parried another Grant effort, as Fulham struggled to rebuff the Huddersfield onslaught.

Scott Parker's men were by now exclusively operating on the break. Gone was the assurance of their first half display. Christie fired fractionally wide of the far post on a rare foray forward but substitute Aboubakar Kamara spurned the best chance to put the game beyond Huddersfield, slicing weakly wide after Mitrovic had held the ball up brilliantly and sent the Frenchman clear on goal.

In a frantic finale, Huddersfield came close to snatching the point their persistence merited. First, Christie slid in to deflect Campbell's side just wide of the far post and then Mounie headed wide from the corner after wriggling clear of his marker. As six minutes of stoppage time ticked away, Grant blazed over at the back post as Fulham failed to clear their lines – and the hosts were grateful to hear the final whistle.

What became a slender victory cut the gap to second-placed Leeds to just three points after Marcelo Bielsa's side lost again – but Parker was firm in his belief afterwards that his side will need to produce far more complete performances if they are sustain a push for automatic promotion from here. The Championship's entertainers will need to become much more miserly in the weeks ahead.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; Christie, Bryan, Hector, Odoi; McDonald (Arter 62), Cairney (Johansen 76), Onomah; Cavaleiro (Kamara 57), Decordova-Reid, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, S. Sessegnon, de la Torre, Kebano.

BOOKED: McDonald, Christie, Johansen, Rodak.

GOALS: Decordova-Reid (10), Cairney (15), Mitrovic (31).

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (4-2-3-1): Coleman; Bacuna, Toffolo, Stearman, Schlinder; O'Brien, Chalobah (King 83); Kachunga, Grant, Smith-Rowe (Pyke 89); Mounie (Campbell 76). Subs (not used): Chapman, Stankovic, Brown, Dunhaney.

BOOKED: O'Brien.

GOALS: Smith-Rowe (34), Mounie (39).

REFEREE: Gavin Ward (Surrey).

ATTENDANCE: 18,013.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/rodak-repels-huddersfield-comeback/

[WhiteJC]

Parker pans Fulham's lack of ruthlessness

Scott Parker insisted Fulham will need to learn the lessons of their see-saw victory over Huddersfield Town after his side almost let a three-goal lead slip at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The Whites looked set for a comfortable victory after scoring three times in the first half an hour against the Terriers with a splendid goal from Bobby Decordova-Reid followed quickly by a fine strike by skipper Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic's first goal after returning from a serious ankle ligament injury. But Fulham then let their visitors back into the contest – conceding twice before half-time – and were fortunate to hold onto the three points with goalkeeper Marek Rodak making several fine stops as Huddersfield dominated the second half.

Parker was far from impressed with his side's sloppiness, telling his post-match press conference that Fulham had 'taken liberties' after establishing a commanding lead.

    First and foremost the result is key and I'm pleased with that. But take your foot off the pedal and take liberties, or go against what has got you 3-0 up, and in this division or in any football match it can come back to bite you. We dropped our intensity and it felt as if the game had become too easy for us.

    At 3-0 they looked dejected and we should have put them to the sword by carrying on doing what has got us there, so I was disappointed in that. For 31 minutes I thought we were sensational. But the bits in between were poor and I didn't like us one bit. If you see out the game there is some positive there, but we are a young team and we need to learn from today.

    One positive was that we did hang on. Earlier in the season that might have ended in a draw. One thing that has been levelled against this team is that we are a bit soft and struggle to hold on to games. Today the keeper (Marek Rodak) had nothing to do in the first half but pick the ball out of the net twice but he showed composure and pulled out some good saves for us.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/parker-pans-fulhams-lack-of-ruthlessness/