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Sunday Fulham Stuff - 28/06/20...

Started by WhiteJC, June 27, 2020, 01:58:22 PM

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WhiteJC

Results



Saturday
Charlton
1-0
QPR
Preston NE
1-3
Cardiff
Swansea
0-1
Luton
Barnsley
0-0
Millwall
Derby
2-1
Reading
Birmingham
3-3
Hull
Leeds
3-0
Fulham
Stoke
0-2
Middlesborough
Wigan
2-0
Rovers

WhiteJC

Leeds United 3-0 Fulham


Leeds had won five successive games before the season was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic

Boss Scott Parker conceded Fulham face a "big ask" to win automatic promotion after they were hammered by Leeds, who went back to the top of the Championship table.

Parker's fourth-placed side now look bound for the play-offs and are likely to see topscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic banned after an off-the-ball elbow.

Mitrovic led with his elbow into Leeds defender Ben White inside the opening two minutes and though it was unseen by the referee he is almost certain to face retrospective punishment.

Patrick Bamford gave the hosts the lead with a cool finish inside the opening 10 minutes after an incisive run and cutback from Helder Costa.

Leeds doubled their lead after the break when substitute Ezgjan Alioski scored with a low finish after two Fulham defenders failed to cut out Jack Harrison's low centre, and Harrison wrapped it up on the counter-attack.

"I think it is going to be a big ask to go up automatically," Parker, who said he had not seen the Mitrovic incident, accepted.

"I wouldn't write it off because the unexpected could happen with the way the division is and games are."

He added: "I think overall the performance in the first half was exceptional. We took the game to a very good side.

"I thought we were superb then but over the course of the game we needed to be more clinical."

What proved to be an ultimately miserable day for the London side was compounded in injury-time as substitute Neeskens Kebano was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Leeds, who had lost their first game back following the suspension of the season because of the coronavirus pandemic at Cardiff last week, are now eight points clear of third-placed Brentford with seven games to play.

Fulham fail to take first-half chances

Despite leading at the break, Leeds spent much of the first half on the back foot as Fulham mounted a succession of attacks.

Winger Anthony Knockaert looked bright and he and Mitrovic forced relatively comfortable saves from home goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

The visitors were incensed that they were not awarded a penalty when the ball struck Tyler Roberts on the arm in the area as Leeds were left hanging on for the half-time whistle.

It was a different story after the interval, as subs Alioski and Pablo Hernandez both made pivotal impacts to secure a vital three points for Marcelo Bielsa's men.

Fulham have now lost both of their games since the restart and are seven points off the top two with seven games to play.

Perhaps more damagingly, they are now likely to be without 23-goal leading scorer Mitrovic for three matches if he is found to be guilty of violent conduct in his early challenge on White.


A minute's silence was held at Elland Road before the game to remember former Leeds players Norman Hunter and Trevor Cherry, and all victims of coronavirus

Subs make difference
Leeds struggled to create anything of note after Bamford's early goal and boss Bielsa decided to make two changes at the break, bringing on Alioski and Hernandez for Bamford and Costa.

Alioski doubled Leeds' advantage after a quick counter-attack from Fulham's corner ended with Harrison's ball just evading two desperate visiting defenders and finding its way to the Macedonia international's feet in the area.

Hernandez, who has so often been at the heart of the Whites' best play over the past four seasons, was making his first appearance since the restart but showed no signs of being rusty.

He clipped a wonderful ball in behind the Fulham defence for Harrison to end the contest with a shot that went through visiting goalkeeper Marek Rodak.

Leeds host struggling Luton on Tuesday, while Fulham will be looking to get their season back on track when they visit London rivals QPR on the same evening.

Post-match reaction
Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa told BBC Radio Leeds:

"In the first half it was difficult for us to recover the ball in the opponents' half and when we were close to our box we lost it again quickly.

"That is why the first half was better for them than for us. In the second half it was better.

"The win was necessary for us and very important."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51828946

WhiteJC

Head Coach press conference

Scott parker faced the media following the defeat to Leeds and was left deflated that his side couldn't build on their excellent first half performance.

"Overall, the first half especially, I thought we were exceptional." He said. "We came here with a purpose about us to go and win the game. We took it to a very good Leeds side who have navigated their way around this division for a few years now. I thought we were superb in matching them. Ultimately over the course of the game, we need to be more clinical in the areas where we do carve out these chances. We need to put one away and with the efficiency of Leeds in the second half, they were better in the final third."

Automatic promotion will be a huge achievement after the result, but the boss knows the Championship is full of twists and turns.

"It's going to be a big ask. I wouldn't write it off yet." He continued.  "The reason being is we're in a world where the unexpected can happen. The way division is, and you've seen in the first two games that can be the case. We came here wanting to win the game and our ambition is to still keep going and we will do that."


Scott was posed the question of the main debatable moments in the match. The first being Aleksandar Mitrović's arm on Ben White, an incident the Gaffer will need to review.

"I've not seen the incident at the moment. During the game I didn't actually see it as an issue. I've not seen it over again so it would be unfair for me to comment at this stage."

On the other hand, a decision that went against the lads was a strong handball penalty claim which incensed the 11 on the pitch.

"The players did seem to think it was a handball, it's bounced up a little bit. It did look like a handball instantly, but I've not seen it again, so it would be unfair for me to pass judgement on it.

"I don't think just the one penalty claim sums the first half up. We were very good, and we needed to be clinical when we did pressure them. It was similar to last week where something needs to go in. As the game goes on, we conceded another couple."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/27/head-coach-press conference-leeds


WhiteJC

Aleksandar Mitrovic: Shocking pics as Fulham star elbows Leeds defender but escapes card
Aleksandar Mitrovic was involved in a controversial incident early on in the match between Leeds United and Fulham.

Aleksandar Mitrovic was fortunate to stay on the pitch early on in Fulham's 3-0 loss at Leeds United on Saturday. Replays showed the Championship's joint-top scorer left his elbow in on Ben White in just the second minute after the Leeds defender had booted the ball clear at Elland Road. White fell to the floor clutching his face but the referee did not spot the incident.

Former Everton left-back Andy Hinchcliffe was co-commentating for Sky Sports and claimed Mitrovic's actions were not accidental and said the striker should have been sent off.

"It's going to be a physical battle, Ben White up against Mitrovic," Hinchcliffe said.

"And actually that is really naughty, that really is a red card offence from Mitrovic.

"It's completely unnecessary, he knows what he's doing, he's put an elbow in the face of Ben White and he is very fortunate to still be on the pitch.

"You talk about aggression, of course you need it in the right areas, but that's not aggression, that's just surely stupidity, leaving an elbow in a centre-half's face.

"It's unnecessary, it's intentional as well for me.

Mitrovic had scored 23 goals for Fulham in the Championship this season ahead of the vital top-of-the-table match at Elland Road.

His former Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren was not surprised by the controversial incident.

"That's how he is," McClaren said.

"He was like that as a kid, we signed him for Newcastle. So aggressive, he bullies you and that's what he did.

"I think the first five games he played he got sent off twice for us.

"He has to calm down, he has to control his emotions and play the game.

"It drove us [mad], we played with 10 men for two games, so it did!

"He hasn't learnt, he's still doing it, and he's just got to be careful.

"He is aggressive, that is a strength of his game, but not over-aggression. He's got to keep his head."

Leeds took the lead shortly after through Patrick Bamford and goals from Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison in the second half sealed a 3-0 win.

Fulham remain fourth after falling a position on Friday night following Brentford's 1-0 win over promotion hopefuls West Brom at Griffin Park.



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1301888/Leeds-United-Fulham-news-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-elbow-Ben-White

WhiteJC

no punishment Aleksandar Mitrovic somehow gets away with shocking elbow on Leeds defender Ben White

How have the officials missed that one?

Aleksandar Mitrovic will surely face a retrospective ban after a shocking elbow on Leeds defender Ben White during the Championship clash at Elland Road.



The Serbian striker, renown for his aggressive style of play, went too far in the early stages of Saturday's match by leaving more than a bit on White after the ball had gone.

It appeared as though Mitrovic deliberately lent his elbow into the jaw of the Leeds defender after he cleared the ball up the pitch.

The only reason the 25-year-old remained on the pitch had to be because the incident went unnoticed by the referee and his assistants, meaning the FA will be free to dish out a retrospective ban.

Despite flashes of petulance, Mitrovic remains Fulham's most important player as they chase promotion to the Premier League.

The striker is level with Ollie Watkins at the top of the Championship goalscoring charts with 23 goals for the season.


It looked a clear red card

Any ban would represent a huge dent in Fulham's hopes of automatic promotion.

Fulham are bidding to bounce back from their defeat to Brentford last weekend and get within four points of second-place Leeds on Saturday.

Leeds will certainly feel aggrieved if he plays any part in a result for Fulham at Elland Road.



https://talksport.com/football/efl/723375/aleksandar-mitrovic-shocking-elbow-leeds-ben-white/

WhiteJC

Defeat crushes Fulham's hopes of automatic promotion

Fulham's hopes of automatic promotion were all but crushed – and Brentford's suffered a big blow – as Leeds took a massive step towards a return to the Premier League.

A win at Elland Road for fourth-placed Fulham would have taken them to within four points of West Brom, who lost at Brentford on Friday evening.

But goals from Patrick Bamford, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison took Leeds top of the table, with the Yorkshire club 10 points clear of Fulham and eight clear of Brentford, although the Bees are within five points of West Brom.

And the Whites could now have to contend with a suspension to 23-goal striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who appeared to elbow Ben White in the face early on.

Mitrovic escaped punishment but video evidence suggested he might well face retrospective action.

Bamford put Leeds ahead after 10 minutes by finishing coolly after being set up by Heldar Costa.

Fulham dominated much of the rest of the second half, with Mitrovic and Anthony Knockaert going close to an equaliser.

The visitors also felt they should have had a penalty for a handball by Tyler Roberts.

Fulham continued to threaten after the interval but Alioski doubled the hosts' lead after collecting Pablo Hernandez's pass.

Harrison slotted home the third to seal Leeds' priceless victory.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/defeat-crushes-fulhams-hopes-of-automatic-promotion


WhiteJC

Fulham miss chance to cut gap at top after 3-0 defeat at Leeds

Leeds United 3
Fulham 0

Fulham's hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League took an almost certain fatal blow at Elland Road as Leeds ran out 3-0 winners to leapfrog West Brom at the top of the table.



The West Londoners were the better side in the first half and were unlucky to go in 1-0 down at the break to Patrick Bamford's goal.



But an inspired double substitution from Marcelo Bielsa at half-time saw Leeds take control of the game and run out comfortable winners in Yorkshire, thanks to additional strikes from substitute Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison.



Fulham would have considered themselves unfortunate to be behind at the break.

They were the stronger of the teams, both physically and skilfully in the first period - maybe too physical, in fact.



Indeed Aleksandar Mitrovic would have been sent off for an off-the-ball elbow on Leeds centre-half Ben White after just two minutes had referee Tony Harrington spotted it.



Leeds were on top early and took the lead through Bamford after 10 minutes.



Harry Arter gave the ball away in the middle of the park and Helder Costa pounced, advancing down the right and squaring for Bamford whose left-footed effort put the Yorkshiremen in front.



Fulham finally began to get a foothold in the game after 25 minutes, and from there on dominated the first period.



Anthony Knockaert's left-footed volley drew a save from Illan Meslier, before appeals for penalties – first for a tug on Bobby Decordova-Reid and then for handball against Tyler Roberts – were both correctly waved away.



Ten minutes before the break Knockaert saw an effort fly high and wide of the Leeds goal, before Meslier was called upon once again, this time to stop a wickedly swerving volley from Mitrovic, who just a few seconds later headed wide of the Leeds goal from a corner.



But despite the pressure, Leeds could have doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when a long ball sailed over the head of Michael Hector to Bamford, who brought the ball down in front of goal, but baulked under the challenge from Hector and the onrushing Marek Rodak.



Bielsa changed it at half-time, bringing on Alioski and Pablo Hernandez, a lovely player whose skill and time on the ball will not be out of place in the Premier League next year – if indeed that is where Leeds finally end up.



United could have been 2-0 up just four minutes after the break when Hector again misjudged a long ball, allowing Tyler Roberts to ghost in behind, but his effort was screwed wide of the right-hand post.



Then only a brilliant block from Harrison Reed prevented Kalvin Phillips from doubling Leeds' advantage.

But the key moments of the game came in the 56th minute. First Bobby Decordova-Reid could have equalised for Fulham but his tame effort was easily saved by Meslier.



And within seconds Leeds were 2-0 up, substitute Alioski coolly slotting home after a cross from the right somehow evaded about six Fulham defenders on its way through to the goal scorer.



And on 71 minutes Pablo Fernandez played a fantastic ball first time on the turn to Jack Harrison, who held off his defender and slotted home for 3-0. Game over.



And as if things couldn't get any worse for Fulham, substitute Neeskens Kebano was sent-off with just seconds left.



Fulham look relatively secure of a place in the play-offs – their advantage over seventh-placed Blackburn Rovers is seven points – the same gap they now face to reach an automatic promotion place, with just seven games left.



Fulham: Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan, Reed, Arter, Knockaert (yellow), Cairney, De Cordova-Reid, Mitrovic



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/2020/06/27/Fulham-miss-chance-to-cut-gap-at-top-after-3-0-defeat-at-Leeds

WhiteJC

Leeds cruise to commanding win

Fulham's dreams of automatic promotion died with a whimper rather than a bang at Elland Road. Scott Parker's side were in the game for an hour, but a lack of clinical finishing and yet more comical defending condemned the visitors to a second damaging defeat in the space of a week. From hoping to reel in the top two before the end of the lockdown, the Londoners might now be left hanging on for a place in the top six.

Parker opted to pair Harrison Reed, excellent against Brentford last week, with Harry Arter as holding midfielders to try and stifle Leeds' creativity. It worked well for the most part, but Arter inexplicably presented the ball to Helder Costa down the right. The Portuguese winger surged towards the box and delivered an inviting cross for Patrick Bamford to guide home the vital opening goal from the edge of the box inside the first ten minutes. Bamford hasn't exactly been prolific in front of goal for Leeds this season, but it was still criminal for the Fulham defence to afford him such time and space in front of goal.

Fulham's attempts to show more fight that they had mustered for last week's local derby might have backfired. Aleksandar Mitrovic doesn't usually much encouragement to get up for the battle but he should have seen red for a ridiculous early elbow on Ben White – and might still be ruled out for three games given that the match officials appeared to miss the incident entirely.

The visitors were posing Leeds plenty of problems, but couldn't make the most of what had actually been a pretty imposing start. Anthony Knockaert spurned a couple of good openings down the right and when Mitrovic dropped a little deeper, space opened up for both Arter and Bobby Decordova-Reid inside the area but neither could take advantage of inviting chances. Fulham were also furious that a penalty wasn't awarded for handball by Tyler Roberts, but their lack of ruthlessness was a far bigger contributor to this defeat. Ilan Meslier batted away strikes from Knockaert and Mitrovic, before the Serbian striker sent a header inches wide from Joe Bryan's corner.

Fulham finished the first half on top, which was the cue for Marcelo Biesla to display the sort of decisiveness that has characterised his illustrious managerial career. He took off the goalscorer and creator to give Leeds more dynamism in midfield and it paid immediate dividends. Roberts and Harrison might have doubled Leeds' lead before the crucial second goal came – and the manner in which it arrived broke Fulham's resolve.

The visitors were on the attack, with Decordova-Reid missing a glorious chance having contrived to miskick when Bryan's deep corner landed at his feet. Meslier quickly set Leeds off on a counter attack, with Jack Harrison – switched to the right flank for the second period – scurrying down the touchline before producing a low cross that was calmy converted by one of the half-time substitutes, Ezgjan Alioski. Three Fulham defenders fell to the turf before the ball reached Alioski, something of a metaphor for how their hopes of getting back into the automatic promotion picture have nosedived so swiftly.

Getting back into a contest against such accomplished front runners as Leeds was always going to be an uphill battle, but there was little prospect of a revival from two goals down. Fulham pushed forward anyway, more in hope than expectation, and were clinically picked off again. Pablo Hernandez, surprisingly left out following Leeds' own capitulation in Cardiff last weekend, produced a peach of ball to set Harrison away from Bryan and the former Manchester City winger raced clear, tucking a shot under the helpless Marek Rodak before celebrating Leeds' emphatic win with the cardboard cut outs behind the goal.

Fulham's poor form has come at just the wrong time. Defeat to QPR in another derby on Tuesday could leave them looking over their shoulder at the likes of Cardiff and company – and there was little to lift spirits as ambition gave way to damage limitation. Neeskens Kebano was sent off late on for a second yellow card – and if Mitrovic receives a sanction for his unwarranted aggression in the aftermath of this damaging defeat – you have to wonder where the goals will come from in the run in.

LEEDS UNITED (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Ayling, Dallas, White, Cooper; Phillips; Costa (Alioski 45), Harrison (Poveda 83), Klich (Douglas 80), Roberts; Bamford (Hernandez 45, Shackleton 90). Subs (not used): Berardi, Miazek, Strujik, Stevens.

BOOKED: Alioski, Phillips.

GOALS: Bamford (10), Alioski (56), Harrison (71).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Odoi, Bryan (Le Marchand 75), Hector, Ream; Arter (Kebano 63), Reed; Knockaert (Cavaleiro 70), Decordova-Reid (Onomah 75), Cairney (Johansen 75); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, S. Sessegnon, Christie, McDonald.

BOOKED: Knockaert, Kebano, Cavaleiro.

SENT OFF: Kebano (90).

REFEREE: Tony Harrington (Cleveland).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/06/leeds-cruise-to-commanding-win/

WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham Lose 3-0 To Leeds United

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

In this episode, Emilio and Clare share their initial thoughts on this 3-0 loss for Fulham. This show was originally recorded as a video and this is the podcast version of this episode.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2020/6/27/21305574/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-lose-3-0-to-leeds-united


WhiteJC

Man City signing this gifted 18-year-old Fulham starlet would be a smart piece of future investment

Why Cody Drameh would be a good future investment for Manchester City

According to Goal (h/t MEN), Manchester City are keeping track of Fulham youngster Cody Drameh ahead of the summer transfer window.

Drameh, 18, is a product of Fulham's youth system. The youngster was promoted to the Cottagers' U23 side last summer. Since then, he has been a regular member and has caught a lot of attention with his impressive performances.

He also made his debut for England's U18 last March and is one of the best young talents in the country. Thus, Manchester City should make a move for the teenager and keep him for the future.

Though Man City's attack has been brilliant, their defence has failed miserably. They have already conceded 33 goals this season, which is more than the 23 goals they conceded in the whole of last campaign. And it is clear that Guardiola needs a central defender in the summer.

And investing in the youth would do them a world of good. Especially with the pandemic causing a ruckus in the finances of the clubs, signing a youngster would be a wise decision by City. They could be able to save for the future.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2020/06/28/why-cody-drameh-would-be-a-fantastic-investment-for-manchester-city/