Sunday Fulham Stuff - 09/02/20...

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Results

Friday
Bristol City	1-3	Birmingham City

Saturday
Wigan	1-2	Preston NE
Barnsley	1-1	Sheff Wed
Blackburn	0-1	Fulham
Brentford	3-2	Middlesbrough
Huddersfield	2-0	QPR
Luton	0-1	Cardiff
Reading	1-1	Hull
Stoke	3-1	Charlton
Swansea	2-3	Derby
Nottm Forest	2-0	Leeds

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Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Brentford's Ollie Watkins both have 20 Championship goals this season

Aleksandar Mitrovic netted his 20th Championship goal of the season to give Fulham victory at Blackburn Rovers and put them within a whisker of the automatic promotion places.

A drab game was finally brought to life midway through the second half when the Serbia striker collected Joe Bryan's cross, turned and fired in.

Fulham had been frustrated by the hosts before Mitrovic's opener, with Blackburn goalkeeper Christian Walton stopping an own goal from Bradley Johnson and palming away Tom Cairney's strike.

Rovers, who missed the chance to close a six-point gap to the play-offs, showed little attacking quality and their best opening saw Sam Gallagher denied by Marek Rodak late on.

Stefan Johansen should have made it 2-0 when he raced clear close to full-time but Walton denied the midfielder with a smart save.

Fulham stay third and are now level on points with second-placed Leeds, who lost at Nottingham Forest later on Saturday.

Once again it was the Championship's joint top scorer Mitrovic who made the difference in a game which looked like it might end goalless.

The 25-year-old's strike was all about instinct inside the box. It took him to 20 league goals for the first time in his career and up to 28 in 33 games for club and country this season.

Fulham have now only lost one of their past nine Championship matches to give themselves a real chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray:

"The nature of the game was frustrating. I thought we managed them really well. Mitrovic - I can't remember him having a touch apart from scoring a goal.

"I don't think Fulham deserved to win. We know they're a good side but I thought it was a game of very few goalscoring chances. It was an attritional game. I thought we managed them really well."

Fulham boss Scott Parker told BBC Radio London:

"It's a tough place to come, we knew the challenge ahead of us today was a big one and it was a perfect away performance.

"I thought we grew into the game, we had our moments in the first half without putting our mark or control on it.

"[In the second half] I felt we needed a bit more control in the way we played. We turned the game into what the occasion was and Blackburn make you do that."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51268103

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Head Coach press conference

Fulham's gameplan was executed to perfection at Ewood Park on Saturday, much to Scott Parker's delight.

Blackburn Rovers have been formidable at home this season, but the Whites' patient build-up play and willingness to scrap was enough to see us eek out the victory.

"I thought it was a well earned battle, a committed performance for an away game," our Head Coach said. "Blackburn have not lost here in 10, I think the last time they lost was in September.

"We knew the challenge that was coming and we stood up to that challenge. First half we matched them but didn't get enough control, we weren't as brave as I'd have liked us to be.

"We addressed that at half-time, we spoke about trying to get a bit more control, turning down their attacks, and having a patience about us, and I think the goal epitomised that really.

"We turned down an attack, the gaps became bigger and suddenly you can carve things open, and that's what our opportunity came from.

"It was always going to be a game of limited opportunities, but when ours came we needed to take it. It fell to Mitrović who puts it into the back of the net, and then it turns into what most Championship games turn into at 1-0.

"They send a lot of bodies up top, big lads, put a lot of balls into our box, and at that point it's a different game for us. We have to show another side to us and defend the game out."

His winner was goal number 20 of the season for Mitrović, but Parker knows our number nine offers so much more than just finding the back of the net.

"It's a big return for so early in the season," he said. "I think what makes me most proud of Mitrović today is his overall performance.

"We all see him for his goal and his technical ability with the way he plays, but I think he epitomised everything we needed today, and that was roll your sleeves up and, first and foremost, win a battle. He did that, and he deserved his goal."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/february/08/head-coach-press conference

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Phil Hay names striker who would be '100% tailor-made for this Bielsa team', cost £22m in '18

Phil Hay has said that a "Bielsa-fit" Aleksandar Mitrovic would be "100% tailor-made" for Leeds United.

There's been a lot of talk of strikers around Leeds for the past few months.

First, it was whether Eddie Nketiah would stay or not. He was recalled by Arsenal as soon as the January window opened.

Then it was who Leeds would sign – it ended up being Jean-Kevin Augustin.

Now it's when Augustin will play after arriving without having played much football this season amid ongoing criticism of Patrick Bamford.

Marcelo Bielsa has left him out of the last two matchday squads and hinted he wouldn't use him in the game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday either.

On the latest episode of the Phil Hay Show, the Athletic journalist made the point that it was important for any striker to fit within the system of the team he played for.

"Somebody like Mitrovic would be 100% tailor-made for this Bielsa team, in Bielsa shape and Bielsa condition," Hay said.

"Hence why he costs as much as he does and hence why Fulham threw so much cash at it.

"You have to be careful not to denigrate Bamford too much... Would [Dwight] Gayle have got in ahead of Pukki last season? Would Chris Wilder have taken Pukki over Billy Sharp?

"In a lot of ways, they were players that fit the particular team, but I see why the questions are being asked."



Mitrovic is the top-scorer in the Championship with 19 goals.

And you can see why Hay has said he'd be perfect for Leeds. He's a big, burly player who holds the ball up better than almost any other forward.

He's also a natural goal-scorer who's proved that in the Championship this season and for Serbia on the international stage.

He's got an incredible record of 34 goals in 55 games for his country and you have to think that Leeds would be romping home this season if Mitrovic was a Leeds player.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/phil-hay-names-striker-who-would-be-100-tailor-made-for-leeds-united/

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Report: Rovers 0-1 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic's second half strike is the difference at Ewood Park as the visitors take the points back to London

A solitary strike from Championship top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic proved to be the difference at Ewood Park as Fulham earned took the three points back to the capital.

The Serbian striker struck just after the hour mark when he wriggled away from Tosin Adarabioyo before squeezing the ball into the net despite Christian Walton getting a touch on his low effort.

In a game of few chances, Rovers pressed for an equaliser, with Marek Rodak pulling off a terrific low save to stop Sam Gallagher from scoring late on.

The boss made one change to the team against the Whites, with ex-Fulham man Lewis Holtby missing out through an injury picked up against Middlesbrough a week earlier.

That allowed a return to the starting XI for midfield enforcer Bradley Johnson, who took his place in central midfield.

Stewart Downing, making his 600th career start, took his spot on the left, with Joe Rankin-Costello, who started for the first time at Ewood, lining up just behind in form frontman Adam Armstrong.

Rovers began the game well, and Sam Gallagher went close to opening the scoring after 10 minutes, but he could only float a header from a Ryan Nyambe cross onto the roof of the net.

At the other end, Walton had to be alert to tip over a headed effort from Michael Hector, who was up to connect with a corner from ex-Rovers playmaker Tom Cairney.

Walton did brilliantly soon after to tip the ball over the bar when Bobby Decordova-Reid's attempted cross took a wicked deflection off Ryan Nyambe and was heading towards the far corner of the net.

Going into the break as both teams started the game was probably the fairest outcome in a half that wasn't full of opportunities for either team.

The second half started in the same fashion, although Denis Odoi tried his luck from range only to lash the attempt high and wide.

Cairney had the next chance, but after being played through, Walton was in the way to beat away his left footed effort as the hour mark approached.

But Parker's side didn't have to wait too much longer for that elusive opener to arrive thanks to top scorer Mitrovic.

The ball broke kindly into the path of the advanced Joe Bryan, and the left back fed Mitrovic who rolled Adarabioyo and stroked the ball home, despite Walton's best attempts to keep the Serbian hitman's effort out.

Rovers responded with a double change that saw Dominic Samuel and Danny Graham enter the action, but it was Gallagher who came close to bagging the equaliser.

The ball broke the forward's way, but after unleashing an excellent strike, Marek Rodak pulled off a terrific stop down low to his right to keep his side in front.

And that was how it stayed as Rovers suffered a first home defeat in over four months against a Fulham side chasing automatic promotion.

Don't forget, Rovers are back in action on home turf on Tuesday night when Hull City make the trip to East Lancashire, kick-off 7.45pm.

Rovers: Walton, Nyambe, Lenihan (c), Adarabioyo, Bell, Johnson (Graham, 72), Travis, Gallagher, Rankin-Costello (Samuel, 72), Downing, Armstrong (Brereton, 88).

Unused substitutes: Leutwiler, Williams, Davenport, Bennett.

Fulham: Rodak, Hector, Odoi, McDonald, Mitrovic, Cairney (c) (Johansen, 86), Ream, Decordova-Reid, Cavaleiro (Kamara, 90), Bryan, Onomah (Kongolo, 80).

Unused substitutes: Bettinelli, Christie, Knockaert, Sessegnon.

Goal: Mitrovic, 65.

Booked: Decordova-Reid, 74

Referee: Tony Harrington.

Attendance: 13,087 (781 away)



https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2020/february/report-fulham-h/

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Rovers 0-1 Fulham: Match Report

A second half Aleksandar Mitrović goal was enough to consign Blackburn to a first home defeat since September against Fulham.

It was a game of few out and out chances, Christian Walton doing his best to keep Rovers in the game while Darragh Lenihan had an equalizer ruled out for offside.

Lewis Holtby's possible season-ending injury forced Tony Mowbray into one change from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Middlesborough, Bradley Johnson replacing the German. Youngster Joe Rankin-Costello kept his place in the starting eleven after impressing in the previous game. Former Rover Tom Cairney captained a Fulham side closing in on the automatic promotion places, receiving a warm reception from the Ewood Crowd.

The first real chance of the game came to Rovers, a Ryan Nyambe cross headed over by Sam Gallagher after good work by Rankin-Costello. Fulham's first chance came from a Cairney corner, Michale Hector's header saved well by Walton. The goalkeeper was called into action moments later to acrobatically tip Bobby Decordova-Reid's deflected shotover the bar.

Walton again did well to prevent a Johnson own-goal giving the away side the lead, turning the midfielder's ill-judged header around the post. It was a first half of few clear-cut chances, summed up by Mitrović shooting from half-way, to the bemusement of both his teammates and his opponents.

Lenihan was at fault early in the second half, giving the ball away at the edge of the box leading to a Denis Odoi chance, the defender thankfully shooting well over the bar. Cairney pulled Walton into a save at the near post, the away side beginning to gain in confidence and for the first time look like the side 3rd in the table.

Mitrovic gave Fulham the lead just after the hour mark, slipping past Lenihan before slotting it past Walton with ease, with Joe Bryan assisting the Championship joint-top scorer. Mowbray decided it was time to fight fire with fire Rankin-Costello and Johnson replaced by Dominic Samuel and Danny Graham to leave four strikers on the pitch for the home side.

Gallagher thought he had pulled Blackburn level but MarekRodák made a great save to deny the striker, the Slovakian goalkeeper fairly untroubled until that point. Decordova-Reidwas the first and only player in the book for a foul on Stewart Downing, the veteran having a relatively quiet game for his 600th career start,

Lenihan had the ball in the net after finishing off Travis's cross but it was ruled out for offside, much to the Irish international's chagrin. Ben Brereton replaced Adam Armstrong as Rovers threw all caution to the wind but it was Fulham who came closest to scoring, Walton again coming to Rovers' rescue, denying substitute Stefan Johansen.

The game finished 1-0, a match unlikely to linger in either fan's memories at the end of the season. Tony Mowbray will probably be pleased that despite the many injuries his team has suffered they did not embarrass themselves against one of the best teams in the league, but any hopes of competing for a play-off place will surely be extinguished unless Blackburn get a result against Hull City on Tuesday.



http://roverschat.com/rovers-0-1-fulham-match-report/

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Result: Mitrovic secures victory for Fulham at Blackburn

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 20th goal of the season was enough to give Fulham a 1-0 win at Blackburn.

The Serbian's powerful turn and shot midway through the second half broke the stubborn resistance of the hosts, whose 10-match unbeaten run at home – stretching more than four months – was ended.

In truth, Scott Parker's side controlled the majority of the game without creating a raft of clear-cut chances, save for a frantic last 15 minutes when Blackburn had four strikers on the pitch.

But, marshalled by the outstanding Michael Hector, the Cottagers made it four wins in five and a fourth clean sheet in that time.

It was their first league double over Rovers since 2001 – when they won promotion to the Premier League for the first time.

Blackburn remain six points off the top six after suffering only their third defeat at Ewood Park this season.

Both sides made one change apiece; Lewis Holtby has been ruled out for the season so Bradley Johnson replaced him, while Tim Ream returned from suspension for the visitors.

The Cottagers looked more menacing in possession early on, but Rovers fashioned the first chance when Sam Gallagher headed over Ryan Nyambe's whipped cross.

But at the other end, Christian Walton had to parry Hector's near-post header around the upright.

Walton produced an even better stop in the 19th minute, showing superb reactions to tip the ball over after a Bobby Decordova-Reid cross ricocheted off Nyambe and seemed destined for the top corner.

The Blackburn stopper was once more called into action in an uneventful first half and again it was his own player as Johnson headed Joe Bryan's cross perilously close to the goal, only for Walton to push behind.

Fulham continued to monopolise possession at the start of the second half and former Blackburn midfielder Tom Cairney fired a low drive towards the near post that Walton parried to safety.

But the Cottagers finally broke Blackburn's resistance in the 65th minute when a slick move saw the ball reach Bryan in the area.

He fed Mitrovic with his back to goal but the Championship's joint leading marksman swivelled and buried his effort past Walton.

Tony Mowbray went for broke with four strikers on the pitch and it almost paid dividends 15 minutes from time when the ball fell to Gallagher in the area but Marek Rodak – called into action for the first time – displayed stunning reflexes to get down low and palm the shot away.

Stefan Johansen should have killed the game in the final minute and although Walton made an outstanding one-on-one save, Fulham took the points.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/blackburn-rovers/result/result-mitrovic-secures-victory-for-fulham-at-blackburn_389134.html

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 Blackburn 0-1 Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic seals narrow win
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at Ewood Park

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 20th goal of the season was enough to give Fulham a 1-0 win at Blackburn.

The Serbian's powerful turn and shot midway through the second half broke the stubborn resistance of the hosts, whose 10-match unbeaten run at home - stretching more than four months - was ended.

In truth, Scott Parker's side controlled the majority of the game without creating a raft of clear-cut chances, save for a frantic last 15 minutes when Blackburn had four strikers on the pitch.

But, marshalled by the outstanding Michael Hector, the Cottagers made it four wins in five and a fourth clean sheet in that time.


Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring the winner for Fulham

It was their first league double over Rovers since 2001 - when they won promotion to the Premier League for the first time.

Blackburn remain six points off the top six after suffering only their third defeat at Ewood Park this season.

Both sides made one change apiece; Lewis Holtby has been ruled out for the season so Bradley Johnson replaced him, while Tim Ream returned from suspension for the visitors.

The Cottagers looked more menacing in possession early on, but Rovers fashioned the first chance when Sam Gallagher headed over Ryan Nyambe's whipped cross.

But at the other end, Christian Walton had to parry Hector's near-post header around the upright.

Walton produced an even better stop in the 19th minute, showing superb reactions to tip the ball over after a Bobby Decordova-Reid cross ricocheted off Nyambe and seemed destined for the top corner.

The Blackburn stopper was once more called into action in an uneventful first half and again it was his own player as Johnson headed Joe Bryan's cross perilously close to the goal, only for Walton to push behind.

Fulham continued to monopolise possession at the start of the second half and former Blackburn midfielder Tom Cairney fired a low drive towards the near post that Walton parried to safety.

But the Cottagers finally broke Blackburn's resistance in the 65th minute when a slick move saw the ball reach Bryan in the area.

He fed Mitrovic with his back to goal but the Championship's joint leading marksman swivelled and buried his effort past Walton.

Tony Mowbray went for broke with four strikers on the pitch and it almost paid dividends 15 minutes from time when the ball fell to Gallagher in the area but Marek Rodak - called into action for the first time - displayed stunning reflexes to get down low and palm the shot away.

Stefan Johansen should have killed the game in the final minute and although Walton made an outstanding one-on-one save, Fulham took the points.

What the managers said...

Blackburn's Tony Mowbray: "We knew it was going to be a tough game against Fulham, who are a very good side. They've got some very special individual footballers.

"The nature of the game was frustrating. I thought we managed them really well. Mitrovic - I can't remember him having a touch apart from scoring a goal. Maybe that's what quality strikers do. I am disappointed to get nothing from it."

Fulham's Scott Parker: "It's a big return [20 goals] for so early in the season obviously and many games to come. What makes me most proud of Mitrovic is his overall performance. I talk about his performance before the game in the changing room, his whole demeanour and the way he was. His leadership qualities.

"Then on the pitch as well - of course we see him for his goal and we see him for his technical ability and the way he plays. But I think he epitomised everything that needed to be done today which is roll your sleeves up and first and foremost, win a battle and put in the hard work. He did that and he deserved his goal. It was always going to be a game of limited opportunities but when an opportunity came, we needed to take it. And it fell to Mitrovic, who put it in the net."



https://www.skysports.com/football/blackburn-vs-fulham/409709

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Mitrovic strike enough for Fulham to beat Blackburn

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 20th goal of the season was enough to give Fulham a 1-0 win at Blackburn.

The Serbian's powerful turn and shot midway through the second half broke the stubborn resistance of the hosts, whose 10-match unbeaten run at home – stretching more than four months – was ended.

In truth, Scott Parker's side controlled the majority of the game without creating a raft of clear-cut chances, save for a frantic last 15 minutes when Blackburn had four strikers on the pitch.

But, marshalled by the outstanding Michael Hector, the Cottagers made it four wins in five and a fourth clean sheet in that time.

It was their first league double over Rovers since 2001 – when they won promotion to the Premier League for the first time.

Blackburn remain six points off the top six after suffering only their third defeat at Ewood Park this season.

Both sides made one change apiece; Lewis Holtby has been ruled out for the season so Bradley Johnson replaced him, while Tim Ream returned from suspension for the visitors.

The Cottagers looked more menacing in possession early on, but Rovers fashioned the first chance when Sam Gallagher headed over Ryan Nyambe's whipped cross.

But at the other end, Christian Walton had to parry Hector's near-post header around the upright.

Walton produced an even better stop in the 19th minute, showing superb reactions to tip the ball over after a Bobby Decordova-Reid cross ricocheted off Nyambe and seemed destined for the top corner.

The Blackburn stopper was once more called into action in an uneventful first half and again it was his own player as Johnson headed Joe Bryan's cross perilously close to the goal, only for Walton to push behind.

Fulham continued to monopolise possession at the start of the second half and former Blackburn midfielder Tom Cairney fired a low drive towards the near post that Walton parried to safety.

But the Cottagers finally broke Blackburn's resistance in the 65th minute when a slick move saw the ball reach Bryan in the area.

He fed Mitrovic with his back to goal but the Championship's joint leading marksman swivelled and buried his effort past Walton.

Tony Mowbray went for broke with four strikers on the pitch and it almost paid dividends 15 minutes from time when the ball fell to Gallagher in the area but Marek Rodak – called into action for the first time – displayed stunning reflexes to get down low and palm the shot away.

Stefan Johansen should have killed the game in the final minute and although Walton made an outstanding one-on-one save, Fulham took the points.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mitrovic-strike-enough-fulham-beat-blackburn

[WhiteJC]

The officials cost us a point

"Hopefully they lose a little bit of sleep tonight when they watch it back ," said Tony Mowbray

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray cut a frustrated figure after seeing his side's long unbeaten home record come to an end against Fulham.

The Cottagers edged a close encounter at Ewood Park thanks to Aleksandar Mitrovic's 20th league goal of the season on 65 minutes.

But Mowbray believes the officials denied Rovers a point after disallowing Darragh Lenihan's strike nine minutes from time for offside.

The manager says that he has watched the incident back and is adamant the Republic of Ireland international is at least two yards onside.

"We're in the business of trying to win football matches and we obviously didn't today," Mowbray told iFollow Rovers after the game.

"It was really frustrating. I thought the players worked hard and applied themselves today, against a very talented team, who played in the Premier League last season.

"We knew they're a good football team, so we didn't try and take them on at football. We tried to disrupt their methods and try to take it off them in their half if we could, and we had some relative success.

"They didn't create too many chances. I thought Mitrovic's first real opportunity was his goal and we were there right around him, which is a frustration for us.

"The big frustration is watching in the dressing room after the game the Lenihan goal that was ruled offside. It's two or three yards onside.

"Whether they guessed that somebody touched it on the way through I don't know, but from my view, nobody touches it and it goes straight through to Darragh, who banged it in the net. It should have been a goal. Hopefully they lose a little bit of sleep tonight when they watch it back and think 'oh god, I got that wrong, that's cost Blackburn some points', but they probably won't.

"We went chasing an equaliser. (Sam) Gallagher had a shot that the keeper tipped round the post. It wasn't to be today, but I thought it was a great effort against a good team. We have to win on Tuesday night now against Hull."



https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2020/february/the-officials-cost-us-a-point/

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Parker marvels at "overall performance" of match-winner Mitrovic

Manager Scott Parker highlighted the leadership qualities of Aleksandar Mitrovic after his goal gave Fulham a 1-0 win at Blackburn to heap the pressure on the top two.

Mitrovic became the first player this season to score 20 league goals with a smart turn and finish in the 65th minute which stretched Fulham's recent record to six wins in the last nine.

Parker's team are performing at both ends of the pitch – clinical finishing and a miserly defence that means they have yet to concede on the road in the league in 2020.

The Cottagers remain third, hot on the heels of the division's top two, and Parker was proud of Mitrovic's overall leadership on and off the pitch.

He said: "It's a big return [20 goals] for so early in the season obviously and many games to come.

"What makes me most proud of Mitrovic is his overall performance. I talk about his performance before the game in the changing room, his whole demeanour and the way he was. His leadership qualities.

"Then on the pitch as well – of course we see him for his goal and we see him for his technical ability and the way he plays.

"But I think he epitomised everything that needed to be done today which is roll your sleeves up and first and foremost, win a battle and put in the hard work. He did that and he deserved his goal.

"It was always going to be a game of limited opportunities but when an opportunity came, we needed to take it. And it fell to Mitrovic, who put it in the net.

"We knew the challenge that was coming before kick-off and we stood up to that."

Blackburn remain six points from the play-offs after the end of their 10-match unbeaten streak at Ewood Park.

But they've dropped two places and have won just two of their last nine league outings.

Boss Tony Mowbray labelled the decision to disallow a Darragh Lenihan goal for offside as "embarrassing" and felt his side deserved something for their endeavours.

He said: "We knew it was going to be a tough game against Fulham, who are a very good side. They've got some very special individual footballers.

"The nature of the game was frustrating. I thought we managed them really well. Mitrovic – I can't remember him having a touch apart from scoring a goal. Maybe that's what quality strikers do. I am disappointed to get nothing from it.

"Having watched Lenihan's goal, it was two, maybe three yards onside. Obviously I've watched it back on the laptop. It's not even close. It's embarrassing.

"I don't know why he [official] got it wrong. Maybe he thought somebody touched it in the middle, but nobody touched it. It went through the bodies, went through the gap and Lenihan was three yards onside, controlled it and stuck it in the net.

"I don't think Fulham deserved to win. We know they're a good side but I thought it was a game of very few goalscoring chances. It was an attritional game. I thought we managed them really well."



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/blackburn-rovers/championship-promotion-race/news/parker-marvels-at-overall-performance-of-match-winner-mitrovic_389148.html

[WhiteJC]

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leeds: Sammy Ameobi and Tyler Walker boost Forest to HUGE win as Leeds' automatic promotion hopes suffer blow

    Leeds travelled to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday
    Sammy Ameobi opened the scoring, driving in and scoring after 31 minutes
    The hosts sealed the win as Tyler Walker caught Leeds on the break late on
    The result was significant for both sides, with the visitors suffering a huge blow

Sixteen long years have passed since Leeds last adorned the Premier League, ten of those spent in the purgatory of The Championship, the realm that promises elevation to a higher state but only after sufficient purification of the soul.

Well, it seems that Leeds haven't suffered quite enough. Just now it is as if their fate is to be stuck here forever. The promised land loomed large two months ago, when Leeds were top and had a comfortable eleven-point cushion between themselves and third place.

Yet now just three points separate the top five. Leeds remain in second place but for how much longer? Fulham are on equal points and their conquerors here, Nottingham Forest, just a point behind. They have lost four out of their last five Championship games. Everything is slipping away.


Sammy Ameobi's first-half strike was the difference as Nottingham Forest beat Leeds


Marcelo Bielsa's side's promotion hopes are now in danger after back-to-back losses

Their glorious past was the burden Marcelo Bielsa came in to lift. Yet right now, the way Bielsa crouches in the technical area somehow seems apt when his team are chucking the season away. He looks like a nervous ball of angst and his team played as such .

'We know perfectly what happens when a team that is prepared for success doesn't succeed,' said Bielsa, phlegmatic and contrary, belligerent and charming all in the same moment.

'The supporters and the club's expectations are fair and it's obvious we are not giving the expected answers. The club has the resources to give better answers.'

Bielsa feels the players are giving their all. The downturn he insists is not their responsibility. 'The responsibility is with me.' Which was laudable, yet without inspiring confidence.

Of course, their opponents boast an even prouder pedigree. 'Champions of Europe/You'll never sing that,' they chanted at their counterparts who merely have a European Cup final to their name, not the trophy itself.

As a second tier matches go, there won't be many to match this for status. A capacity 29,455 crowd and an atmosphere to shame the average Premier League corporate bowl, spoke of the illustrious histories of these respective clubs.


Tyler Walker tapped in late in injury-time, burying the struggling second placed side

But Sabri Lamouchi's team have the momentum Leeds have lost. The aberration at Birmingham City last week aside, they haven't lost in the league since Christmas. Their promotion credentials grow ever stronger. In short, they have paced themselves well. And now they are hauling in the early pacemakers, who are falling aside.

'It's a massive result and a massive performance,' said Lamouchi. 'Last week [against Birmingham} I was upset with them and today I love them! And this league is crazy because in three days we play again; 15 games to go; step by step.' Forest's absence from the top flight stretches back twenty-one years but they look better placed to make the jump right now.

'After February many teams start to go down because physicality of this league is so difficult,' said Lamouchi. It sounded an awful lot like he was saying Leeds were tired. 'Honestly, I don't know,' he said. 'But I think so. Like all teams. It's logical after 31 games.'

Forest were well worth their win. But Leeds had to contend with the erraticism of their 'keeper Kiko Casilla. One quick throw out, intended to launch a counter attack, was calamitous, flung directly at the feet of Forest skipper Ben Watson. He should have just sent it back, first time, over the head of the goalkeeper but took a touch and drilled it well wide.

Yet it was Forest's opening goal on 30 minutes where he truly exposed. Sammy Ameobi exchanged passes down the left and though his run, poise and strike was not without merit, the positioning of Casilla, who seemed to be expecting a shot to his far post, was extremely questionable. Ameobi simply used the gap the 'keeper had left at the near post to beat him.

'Of course goalkeepers make mistakes,' said Bielsa. 'But top goalkeepers aren't top because they don't make mistakes. They are top because of their capacity to correct mistakes. I can't the situation of Casilla in public.' For eloquence, he has few equals; for points accumulated, however, he has many rivals.

Forest remained on top when the teams returned after half time.. They looked sure to extend their league when Lolley dashed down the right, leaving a trail of Leeds' defenders in his wake. Cutting inside, he sold Casilla a dummy and with the keeper on the floor pushed the ball to Grabban. Inexplicably Grabban shot straight at the stricken Casilla.

Leeds only showed in fits and starts and only with intent in the last twenty minutes. Nothing is quite going for them now. On 76 minutes, skipper Liam Cooper directed a firm header goalwards.

Though Brice Samba saved, he couldn't collect and the ball fizzed up above his, spinning in the air on a trajectory to bounce over the line. The Leeds fans behind the goal willed it in. Samba flung a desperate arm in the air. He clawed at the ball, connected and thrust it away. And the moment was gone.

In injury time, Leeds would desperately throw men forward for a final free kick. They jostled on the edge of the area, awaiting the last chance. Yet you sensed what was coming: Watson would smash the ball clear in desperation rather than with any precision.

Jack Harrison faltered, unable to bring it under control and Joe Lolley pounced, robbing him and sprinting forwards, the City Ground delirious now in excitement.

Alongside Lolley was sub Tyler Walker, son of Des, keeping up stride for stride. Lolley simply rolled the ball across so Walker would smash it into the net. Lolley would claim later that he was too tired to shoot.

After all, he had covered half the pitch in double-quick time. And it had left Leeds were utterly broken and beaten. Right now it's a habit they can't shake.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7981793/Nottingham-Forest-2-0-Leeds-Ameobi-Walker-boost-hosts-HUGE-win-Leeds-suffer-blow.html

[WhiteJC]

round-up Championship results: Leeds stumble AGAIN as Fulham go level on points, Brentford get late winner, Stoke beat Charlton in relegation clash

Leeds' promotion hopes suffered another blow with a 2-0 Championship defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Sammy Ameobi gave Forest a half-time lead before Tyler Walker wrapped it up in added time to move Forest to within a point of their second-placed opponents.

Thr faltering Whites have won just one of their last nine Championship games and are now level on points with Fulham.

Brentford continued their good Championship form as both claimed victories on Saturday.

Julian Jeanvier put Brentford 1-0 up in the 24th minute when he fired in from close range.

Middlesbrough pegged back the hosts the first time in the 58th minute when Lewis Wing's shot from outside the box found the net.

Just two minutes later, Brentford restored their advantage when Bryan Mbeumo scored but a frantic five minutes was completed by Ashley Fletcher who headed in to make it 2-2.

Ollie Watkins then scored his 20th goal of the season as the Bees grabbed a late winner to put pressure on the sides above them.

Fulham were dominant in their match at Blackburn but had to wait until the 65th minute to break the deadlock.

Aleksandar Mitrovic added his 20th Championship goal of the season to make it 1-0 as they closed down the gap on leaders West Brom to just a point, who play on Sunday.

Stoke got a much needed win in their relegation clash with Charlton at the Bet365 Stadium.

James McClean put the hosts 1-0 up before Ben Purrington struck back on the stroke of half-time.

Tom Ince and Nick Powell scored second half goals to give them a 3-1 and move them above Charlton in the table.

n the early kick-offs, Preston extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 2-1 win over Wigan.

Tim Barkhuizen and Daniel Johnson netted first-half goals for Alex Neil's side as they maintained their push for promotion.

Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday shared the points when Cauley Woodrow cancelled out Josh Windass' debut goal for the Owls.

Full results from Saturday's Championship fixtures:

Wigan 1-2 Preston (12.30pm kick-off)

Barnsley 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday (1pm kick-off)

Blackburn 0-1 Fulham

Brentford 3-2 Middlesbrough

Huddersfield 2-0 QPR

Luton 0-1 Cardiff

Reading 1-1 Hull

Stoke 3-1 Charlton

Swansea 2-3 Derby

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leeds (5.30pm kick-off live on talkSPORT 2)



https://talksport.com/football/efl/666853/championship-fulham-brentford-stoke-charlton-leeds/

[WhiteJC]

Mitrovic pinches precious win

A piece of predatory finishing from Aleksandar Mitrovic ensured Fulham emerged from a tight contest at Blackburn Rovers with three precious points in their push for automatic promotion. The Serbian striker's 20th goal of the season was enough to inflict Blackburn's home league defeat since September and helped Scott Parker's side move level on points with second placed Leeds.

Moments of quality were few and far between at Ewood Park, with Blackburn tough to break down and limited in the final third, whilst Fulham's possession football looked largely toothless for the first hour. Mitrovic was starved of significant service, but produced a moment of magic to spin away from Toisin Adarabioyo and fire Joe Bryan's low cross past Christian Walton in the 65th minute.

The visitors could have put the game beyond Blackburn before a frantic finale. Tom Cairney, afforded a warm reception on his return to Ewood Park, was denied a goal by a smart Walton stop at his near post. The goalkeeper did well to smother Stefan Johansen's late effort at close quarters but the Norwegian should have lifted his finish out of his reach having been played in by Mitrovic.

Those misses meant Blackburn were in the game until the end – and their persistence very nearly paid off. Michael Hector was excellent once again at the heart of the Fulham defence, but his one mistake let in Sam Gallagher. Marek Rodak bailed out the Jamaican international with a fine one-handed stop at his near post. Fulham had an even greater let off later on when Darragh Lenihan crept behind the back four after they failed to clear a set play, but his composed finish was ruled out by an offside flag. Television replays suggested that the decision was incorrect, something which enraged Tony Mowbray.

The fact that there was little between these two sides, even with Rovers missing six first teamers through injury, underlines what a good job Mowbray is doing in trying circumstances. His side restricted Fulham to a pair of half chances in a forgettable half. Walton turned aside a Hector header from a corner before sparing Ryan Nyambe's blushes after the young defender diverted Bobby Decordova-Reid's cross towards his own top corner.

Rovers fashioned the game's first opening – with Gallagher heading onto the roof of the net after Adam Armstrong had embarrassed Bryan – but didn't really put Fulham under any prolonged pressure until a stirring climax when they slung a succession of high balls into the area. Hector and the returning Tim Ream repelled most of them to earn another excellent clean sheet.

In many ways, this was the perfect professional away performance for Parker. Fulham were functional rather than flashy and their success was underpinned by a grit and spirit that suggests they might have to staying power to seriously threaten the top two. Something which seemed fanciful at Christmas is now within touching distance.

BLACKBURN ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Walton; Nyambe, Bell, Lenihan, Adarabioyo; Travis, Johnson (Graham 72); Rankin-Costello (Samuel 72), Downing, Armstrong (Brereton 89); Gallagher. Subs (not used): Williams, Leutwiler, Davenport, Bennett.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; Odoi, Bryan, Hector, Ream; McDonald, Onomah (Kongolo 81), Cairney (Johansen 86); Cavaleiro (Kamara 90), Decordova-Reid, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Christie, S. Sessegnon, Knockaert.

BOOKED: Decordova-Reid.

GOAL: Mitrovic (65).

REFEREE: Tony Harrington.

ATTENDANCE: 13,087.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/mitrovic-pinches-precious-win/

[WhiteJC]

Parker pleased with Fulham's professionalism

Scott Parker was delighted that Fulham edged a tight contest at Ewood Park this afternoon to stretch their unbeaten run to five league games.

The Fulham boss knew that Blackburn would be offer a tough test on their home turf and was pleased that his side responded after a rather lacklustre first half, winning thanks to a second half strike from Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

    I thought it was a well earned battle, a committed performance for an away game. Blackburn have not lost here in 10, I think the last time they lost was in September. We knew the challenge that was coming and we stood up to that challenge. First half we matched them but didn't get enough control, we weren't as brave as I'd have liked us to be.

    We addressed that at half-time, we spoke about trying to get a bit more control, turning down their attacks, and having a patience about us, and I think the goal epitomised that really. We turned down an attack, the gaps became bigger and suddenly you can carve things open, and that's what our opportunity came from.

    It was always going to be a game of limited opportunities, but when ours came we needed to take it. It fell to Mitrovic who puts it into the back of the net, and then it turns into what most Championship games turn into at 1-0. They send a lot of bodies up top, big lads, put a lot of balls into our box, and at that point it's a different game for us. We have to show another side to us and defend the game out.

Parker was particular pleased with the goalscorer's all-round contribution to Fulham's success – as well as the fact that Mitrovic has now notched 20 goals for the campaign.

    It's a big return for so early in the season. I think what makes me most proud of Mitrovic today is his overall performance. We all see him for his goal and his technical ability with the way he plays, but I think he epitomised everything we needed today, and that was roll your sleeves up and, first and foremost, win a battle. He did that, and he deserved his goal.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/parker-pleased-with-fulhams-professionalism/