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Thursday fulham Stuff - 04/02/21...

Started by WhiteJC, February 04, 2021, 12:17:28 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

WhiteJC

Results


Wednesday
Burnley
0-2
Man City
Fulham
0-2
Leicester
Leeds
1-2
Everton
Villa
1-3
West Ham
Liverpool
0-1
Brighton

WhiteJC

Fulham 0-2 Leicester City


Kelechi Iheanacho's first goal since November set Leicester on their way to victory over Fulham

Leicester strengthened their position in the Premier League's top four with victory over Fulham, whose survival hopes suffered a further blow at Craven Cottage.

James Maddison played a key role in both the visitors' goals, delivering a delightful in-swinging cross for Kelechi Iheanacho to head home before teeing up James Justin to double the Foxes' lead on the stroke of half-time.

Brendan Rodgers' side had three goals disallowed - Caglar Soyuncu's first-half header was ruled out for a push on Tosin Adarabioyo before Iheanacho and Ricardo Pereira were denied by the linesman's flag in the second half.

Fulham had chances too - notably when Adarabioyo's header was palmed over the crossbar by Kasper Schmeichel moments before the visitors' second goal.

That header, however, was the Cottagers' only effort on target in the entire 90 minutes.

The result lifts Leicester two points behind second-placed Manchester United, while Fulham remain seven points adrift of safety in 18th.

Maddison the key for Leicester
Rodgers admitted his team "weren't good enough" in Sunday's defeat by Leeds United - a result that saw them miss the chance to move two points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

The Foxes were without injured defenders Timothy Castagne and Wesley Fofana at Craven Cottage, while key duo Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy are only set to return against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Leicester had earned just one point from their past four league fixtures without Vardy, while winning only six of their 22 league matches without Ndidi since the Nigerian's debut in January 2017.

However, two superb assists from Maddison steered the Foxes to victory in west London.

The 24-year-old's teasing delivery from the right gave Iheanacho the simple task of directing a close-range header past Areola, while he showed great composure to tee up Justin for the visitors' crucial second goal.

The former Norwich City man has now been directly involved in 12 goals in his past 12 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes.

"He's got immense quality," Rodgers said. "The cross that comes in [for the first goal], if it was Kevin de Bruyne everyone would be talking about it. It was an unbelievable cross.

"He's created lots of moments for the team [and showed] great skill on the edge of the box for the second goal. He's an absolutely outstanding young player and I'm so happy he plays in my team."

Youri Tielemans also had an excellent game at the heart of midfield, winning possession 10 times and completing more passes than any other Leicester player.

Only Manchester United have collected more points on their travels this season than Rodgers' side, who have now won eight of their 11 away league matches in 2020-21.

Toothless Fulham in deep trouble
Fulham came into Wednesday's game without a win since beating Leicester 2-1 at King Power Stadium on 30 November.

The Cottagers have proved tough to beat in recent weeks, but their failure to convert chances into goals has seen them lose ground on the teams above the drop zone.

They carved out the first opportunity of the game after 12 minutes, but Justin produced a fine block to deny Aleksandar Mitrovic after a marauding run from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa down the left.

Adarabioyo forced Schmeichel into an outstanding one-handed save late in the first half, only for Justin's goal moments later to leave Scott Parker's side with a mountain to climb.

Parker brought on Mario Lemina and Ivan Cavaleiro at half-time and the latter went close to halving the deficit within minutes of the restart, dragging a low shot wide of Schmeichel's left-hand post.

But that was the closest the hosts came to a route back into the match, as their winless league run stretched to 11 games.

No home comforts for Cottagers - the stats
    Fulham have lost their first four home games in 2021 in all competitions - the first time they've lost their first four home games in a calendar year as a Football League side.
    Leicester have won 26 away points in the Premier League this season - their second highest such total in a Premier League campaign after their 2015-16 title success (39).
    Fulham have gone 11 games without a win in the Premier League (D7 L4) - the current longest such streak in the competition.
    Fulham have won only two of their 21 Premier League games this season - before this term, 13 of the 15 previous Premier League sides to win two games or fewer after 21 were relegated at the end of the campaign, although one of the sides to survive were Fulham in 2007-08.
    Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho scored his first Premier League goal in 15 games since netting against Crystal Palace in July 2020.
    Leicester's James Maddison assisted two goals in a single Premier League game for the first time in his career (87th app).

'Quality at both ends the difference' - what they said
Fulham boss Scott Parker, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "The cold hard fact is that we've lost a football match today and we know what we need to do - we need to win.

"Quality at both ends was the difference, we had some good moments in the first half but we still didn't cause them many problems. Their quality in the final third was evident.

"There's still 17 games left. I understand what the perception will be, but we have a team here that have been in games. We know what we need to do and there needs to be a clear focus on that."

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was important for us to respond, that's how you define your team in terms of setbacks. I thought we were excellent and scored two outstanding goals. We showed real moments of quality.

"I think the team is maturing - it's hard physically for players this season. We had one shot against us all night which shows the concentration. Second half we controlled it and stayed calm.

"The culture we have created is an environment where we ask the players to be courageous. When you lose games there's a vulnerability but we have always taken that as something to reflect on. Once we fail in a game we learn from it and get out and win the next game."

What's next?
Fulham welcome West Ham to Craven Cottage in their next league match on Saturday, 6 February (17:30 GMT), while Leicester travel to Wolves the next day (14:00).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55820952

WhiteJC

Parker's Post-Leicester press conference

Scott Parker stands defiant by his team, knowing they'll give maximum effort and tenacity for the remainder of the season after a disappointing defeat to Leicester on Wednesday.

Two pieces of James Maddison quality unzipped Fulham in a game that lacked gilt-edged chances at Craven Cottage.

"I thought we huffed-and-puffed tonight," he declared. "Their quality in the attacking third for their goals was evident. The detail in their counter attack with the decisions they made was excellent. We weren't able to take our moments, not necessarily with shots, but little overloads.

"We fell a little bit short. We understand we need to start winning football matches - we're at a stage where there is a clear focus. We move onto Saturday."

The Head Coach knows there are many chapters left in the Premier League season and the fight continues to stay in the division.

"For large parts we had a control about us," he continued. "We played some good stuff without causing them too many problems. People may say I'm mad, but I see a team that can win football matches. There are 17 games left this season, we've seen what a couple of results in a short space of time can do.

"Am I looking at a team that's wilting to a slow death? Not at all. My team is fully committed to the job in hand."

The 40-year-old called for the same endeavour that has earned his side many plaudits for the run-in to the end of the season.

"We need to win games now. We want to give ourselves a fighting chance to stay in this division. This team have progressed extremely well. We've gone from a team that was written off to a team that has worked on certain problems.

"When you're newly-promoted, progression is what you need to work on. This is a great group of lads that are working their hardest. The way we win games is by putting in strong, confident performances. We can't let defeats derail us."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/february/Parker-s-Post-Leicester-press conference/


WhiteJC

Cottagers comfortably outfoxed as Leicester make capital

Fulham 0 Leicester City 2

Faltering Fulham fell to defeat on a night when the gap between themselves and buoyant Leicester City was all too obvious.

First half goals from Foxes' pair Kelechi Iheanacho and James Justin made the difference. Scott Parker's side, while industrious, simply had no ingenuity or imagination to break down a team so renowned for its organisation and diligence. For the majority of this clash, there was little doubt that visiting boss Brendan Rodgers would be taking all three points back to the east Midlands, with Leicester now moving up to third place, ahead of Liverpool's later kick-off against Brighton.

Fulham were too predictable, lacking both width and confidence in front of goal, while at the same time facing one of the most resourceful outfits they are likely to face all season. Indeed, with Leicester doubling their lead just before the interval there was a sense of foreboding that any rescue mission was to be very unlikely indeed.

The Cottagers' supposedly influential players, such as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, were largely anonymous here: a concern for fans in these attempts to prise away from the danger zone. In the case of loanee Loftus-Cheek, it was no surprise to see him withdrawn with 20 minutes to go.

On this evidence, the prospects for Saturday's upcoming task, at home to in-form West Ham, look increasingly difficult for Parker's men.

While Fulham were without a Premier League victory in their last ten attempts they were, at least, carving out a reputation as draw specialists. A minor consolation, obviously, when you are third from bottom of the table, but the previous weekend's performance at West Bromwich Albion was very encouraging, despite being held to a 2-2 stalemate. Leicester, though, certainly proved this was something of a false dawn.

The Cottagers registered a rare win in this campaign in November's corresponding game, so the visitors – high flying in fourth place – had their own motivations and were clearly expected to be fired up. That Jamie Vardy, so voracious and indispensable in attack for the Foxes, was still out with injury could only be a positive for Fulham, who declined to include transfer deadline day signing, Josh Maja.

The opening skirmishes were fairly even - and it took until the 11th minute for the first opportunity to present itself. Mitrovic really should have got more power into his close range effort after being set up nicely by Andre Anguissa. However, perhaps this was to be the shape of things to come from the hosts? That idea proved to be wishful thinking when Leicester took the lead in 17 minutes with a simple, well-worked manoeuvre.

James Maddison, such a major influence these days for the Foxes, clipped in a trademark cross from the right hand side and, with the ball just eluding Joachim Andersen, Iheanacho was lurking - and the striker's header was much too powerful for Fulham keeper Alphonse Areola to keep out.

For all their work rate, the Cottagers were finding space, time and opportunities increasingly rare as the first half wore on, with Rodgers' side growing in confidence after going in front. Mitrovic, in particular, was getting little change from the combative Leicester partnership of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu. Unfortunately for Fulham, they were too often wasteful in midfield and constantly forced back from dangerous areas.

Finally, a chance. With a few minutes to go before half time, from a corner, Tosin Adarabioyo had a firm header turned over the crossbar by Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Such was the sense of frustration, the Londoners switched off momentarily immediately afterwards, which was clinically punished in 43 minutes for the second goal of the evening.

Maddison again was the architect, on the break this time, drawing away Andersen before slipping the ball into the path of Justin. The Foxes' full back evaded the desperate challenge of both Areola and Adarabioyo before tucking home.

Fulham chief Parker opted to make a couple of half time changes in an attempt to freshen matters up. Anguissa made way for Mario Lemina while Kenny Tete was sacrificed for Ivan Cavaleiro. The Whites had little choice but to take a calculated risk with this encounter threatening to run away from them. Cavaleiro did have a sight of goal in 48 minutes but the winger drove his 18 yard shot a fraction wide.   

Leicester then had a goal ruled out for offside when Ricardo Pereira rifled home, which really would have killed the contest. The Foxes, noted for their cunning on the counter-attack, were content to sit in and play to their obvious strengths, making life hard for Fulham.

Bobby Decordova-Reid replaced the ineffective Loftus-Cheek with the Whites anxious to give themselves any kind of opportunity to retrieve the situation. Decordova-Reid managed to flash a shot into the side netting amid a slight flurry of activity with ten minutes left. Yet, the unconvincing manner of his attempt mirrored so much about Fulham's overall performance.

Parker will, somehow, need to find a better approach for West Ham's visit.

Fulham: Areola, Tosin, Andersen, Aina, Robinson, Anguissa (Lemina 46), Reed, Tete (Cavaleiro 46), Lookman, Mitrovic, Loftus-Cheek (Decordova-Reid 70)



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/cottagers-comfortably-outfoxed-as-leicester-make-capital

WhiteJC

Fulham's woes continue with defeat against Leicester

Fulham's run of games without a Premier League win was extended to 11 games after a James Maddison-inspired Leicester cruised to victory at Craven Cottage.

The defeat leaves the Whites deep in relegation trouble with the gap between them and fourth-bottom Brighton remaining at seven points.

Maddison laid the foundations for a comfortable Foxes success with two brilliant pieces of play that teed up first-half goals for Kelechi Iheanacho and James Justin.

Leicester, who reinforced their top-four credentials, were superior in all departments and the scoreline could have been a lot worse for Scott Parker's men had three goals not been chalked off for offside.

Brendan Rodgers' side took the lead with their first meaningful attack after 17 minutes when Joachim Anderson gave away the ball inside his own half and the play was switched to Maddison on the right flank.

The England midfielder hit a delightful instant first-time cross that was headed in by former Manchester City striker Iheanacho.

Fulham created little before the break but Kaspar Schmeichel had to be alert to tip over a Ola Aina header from a Ademola Lookman corner just before Leicester doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

A good run and pass from Ayoze Perez freed Maddison, and he drove into the box, then took out two Fulham defenders with an audacious turn to put the ball on a plate for Justin to fire past Aphonse Areola.

Parker brought on Ivan Cavaleiro and Mario Lemina at half-time in an attempt to get back into the game, but it took until the 80th minute for Fulham go close to scoring.

The chance fell to Bobby Decordova-Reid, who had come on for the ineffectual Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but he fired into the side netting after good work from Aleksander Mitrovic.

Fulham: Areola, Tete (Cavaleiro 46), Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Reed, Anguissa (Lemina 46), Lookman, Mitrovic, Loftus-Cheek (Decordova-Reid 65).
Subs not used: Rodak, Hector, Odoi, Ream, Bryan, Onomah.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulhams-woes-continue-with-defeat-against-leicester

WhiteJC

Away-day specialists Leicester see off struggling Fulham

Leicester beat struggling Fulham 2-0 to improve their stunning Premier League away record on Wednesday, climbing back to third in the table.

Defeat at home to Leeds at the weekend ended a seven-match unbeaten run in the league but the Foxes rediscovered their mojo at Craven Cottage.

Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring for Brendan Rodgers' men and James Justin doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time.

Leicester now have eight wins out of 11 on the road, in contrast to their mixed form at the King Power Stadium, where they have suffered five defeats.

The victory lifted the 2016 champions to 42 points after 22 matches -- five points behind leaders Manchester City, who beat Burnley 2-0 on Wednesday.

But their stay in third may not last long, with rejuvenated Liverpool hosting Brighton later in the evening.

Leicester, without injured talisman Jamie Vardy, took the lead in the 17th minute when Iheanacho headed home a James Maddison cross from deep.

They almost doubled their lead minutes later when Fulham failed to clear but Caglar Soyuncu's shot was straight at goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Fulham, who had not produced an effort on target in the entire first half, could have been level shortly before the break but Kasper Schmeichel tipped over a thumping header from Tosin Adarabioyo from close range.

The home side were made to pay for their profligacy in the 44th minute when Justin finished off a delightful move.

The impressive Maddison burst into the box and fed the fast-arriving Justin, who rounded the goalkeeper and squeezed the ball in from a tight angle.

Harvey Barnes nearly scored a third as Leicester threatened to overwhelm Fulham but his left-footed shot was saved by Areola.

Disciplined Leicester largely kept Fulham at arm's length in the second half, denying the home side clear-cut chances.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a chance to reduce the deficit with about 10 minutes to go but Justin deflected his shot into the side netting.

The result leaves Fulham third from bottom of the table, seven points from safety.



https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210203-away-day-specialists-leicester-see-off-struggling-fulham


WhiteJC

Iheanacho flattens feeble Fulham

Given that Leicester City are aiming for a tilt at the title and Fulham are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table, it was not unreasonable to expect a gulf in class between the two sides at Craven Cottage tonight. Brendan Rodgers' men were professional, progressive and clinical but the ease with which they established a two-goal cushion before half time and how straightforwardly it was protected will have infuriated Scott Parker. Fulham might have improved from their calamitous start to life in the top flight, but you already get the sense it won't save them from the drop.

The Foxes, so well-drilled under Rodgers, never seriously looked like succumbing to another surprise defeat to mirror the one they suffered at the hands of Fulham in November. That autumnal night at in the east Midlands was the genesis of Parker's remodelled 3-4-3 – a tactical tweak that delivered both an upturn in performances and points – but the division now appears to have wised up to the blueprint now. Fulham's pretty passing took them as far as the final third but, as so often this season, they lacked the incisiveness to go much further. A frustrating evening was summed up as early as the eleventh minute when Aleksandar Mitrovic, starved of service having been restored to the leading role up front, saw his finish bravely blocked by Caglar Soyuncu after a lovely link-up between Antonee Robinson and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa down the left.

Leicester's football had more fluency and purpose. The key to Fulham's win at the King Power had been Harrison Reed shackling the influence of James Maddison at the apex of the Foxes midfield. The England international had served early notice of his threat here, with a speculative shot stinging the palms of Alphonse Areola, but the hosts failed to heed the warning. Maddison whipped in a majestic ball from the right and Kelechi Iheanacho glided away from Joachim Andersen and Ola Aina to plant a header home from close range.

Soyuncu might have doubled Leicester's with a venomous volley after he had stayed up from a corner but Areola's quick reflexes bailed Fulham out. Parker's charges had plenty of the ball but struggled for penetration. Mitrovic was reduced to trying the spectacular when a Soyuncu header dropped invitingly 25 yards from goal, but the Serbian striker's shot flew harmlessly over. The home side's clearest opening came from a corner, when Kasper Schmeichel produced a splendid save to claw Tosin Adarabioyo's free header over the bar. In a neat encapsulation of Fulham's luckless campaign, ninety seconds later they were 2-0 down.

Maddison was the orchestrator of a quick counter-attack, gliding away from Andersen, before unselfishly teeing up James Justin as he entered the penalty area. The full back had run fully eighty yards to join the Leicester break, criminally allowed to venture into dangerous territory by Kenny Tete, darted away from Adarabioyo and made light of a heavy touch as he rounded Areola to roll home the second. On the stroke of half time, that felt like game over. Areola saved with his legs from Harvey Barnes in stoppage time to prevent the Foxes from running riot.

Parker switched to a back four at half-time, sending on Mario Lemina and Ivan Cavaleiro in attempt to find a way back into the contest. Fulham certainly upped the tempo and the Portuguese winger almost had an immediate impact. A scorer off the bench at the Hawthorns on Saturday, Cavaleiro nearly repeated the trick two minutes after the restart, cutting inside and firing fractionally wide of Schmeichel's far post. Ademola Lookman let fly from 25 yards after finding a pocket of space from a throw-in but his shot cleared the crossbar on a night where the nippy winger was all too often on the periphery.

Leicester were largely happy to hold onto their advantage, although the returning Ricardo Pereira was denied a spectacular third by an offside flag. Fulham pushed for a lifeline but their likeliest goalscorer, Bobby Decordova-Reid, didn't enter until twenty minutes from time, replacing the anonymous Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Jamaican international, utilised in a variety of roles already this season, almost grabbed a route back in the contest with ten minutes to play, but his low shot was deflected into the side-netting by a last-ditch intervention from Justin.

Even if they didn't lose ground on their closest challengers, Fulham's position already looks perilous, especially in light of picking up just two draws from trips to Brighton and West Brom last week. Parker's team are tougher to break down – not an easy feat given the amount of goals they were shipping at the start of the season – but look ponderous and lacking punch in attack. Seven points adrift of seventeenth, something needs to change and swiftly.

FULHAM (3-4-3): Areola; Adarabioyo, Aina, Andersen; Tete (Cavaleiro 45), Robinson, Reed, Anguissa (Lemina 45); Lookman, Loftus-Cheek (Decordova-Reid 70), Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Onomah.

BOOKED: Reed, Aina, Cavaleiro.

LEICESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Pereira, Justin, Evans, Soyuncu; Chodhury (Mendy 61), Tielemans; Perez (Albrighton 61), Barnes (Amartey 76), Maddison; Iheanacho. Subs (not used): Ward, Fuchs, Thomas, Under, Leshabela, Daley-Campbell.

BOOKED: Mendy.

GOALS: Iheanacho (17), Justin (44).

REFEREE: Rob Jones (Cheshire).

VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE: Lee Mason (Lancashire).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/02/iheanacho-flattens-feeble-fulham/

WhiteJC

Fulham verdict: Whites must take more risks – and need more from Loftus-Cheek

Fulham were beaten once the second Leicester goal hit the back of the net.

They huffed and puffed the entire second half, but rarely looked like denting the visitors' lead.

Too little cutting edge, too many deliberate passes, and too few shots, was clear to all.

Only a Tosin Adarabioyo header and a blocked effort from Aleksandar Mitrovic made Leicester hearts flutter.

That's partially because Fulham don't take enough gambles.

In the first half a terrific run from Antonee Robinson had him away and into the box. It looked easier to take a shot, but what did he do?

He tried to lay it off to Ademola Lookman, defenders were all over him like a rash, and the chance was gone.

Harrison Reed then got a chance on the edge of the box. Shoot!

Nope, he tried to find a team-mate in the box to no avail.

The direct running towards the box is a Fulham strength, and then they stop. They treat that final few yards like it was mined.

Lookman needs the ball more often and more accurately.

He makes runs off the shoulder, hovers ready to receive, but rarely gets played in.

The ball arrives too slowly for him to do anything significant.

Bad night for Anguissa
n contrast, what about the swiftness of the second Foxes goal?

Kelechi Iheanacho's turn to sell Ola Aina and the pass to James Maddison was lightning.

That's not in the Fulham armoury, and it's why Lookman cuts a forlorn figure more often than he should.

The first Leicester goal came from a mistake by Andre-Frank Anguissa – actually two poor passes, and back-to-back.

The second was beyond Reed and City were away to cash in.

Anguissa has rightly earned the plaudits this season but he's been found wanting in the last two matches by his standards.

For the next four minutes, he gave the ball away four times and then hoisted a deep penetrative pass – sadly, it was into the unbuilt Riverside Stand.

He gets through an immense amount of work does Frank, and maybe a tough season has him at full stretch.

Scott Parker appears to think the same way and withdrew the midfielder at half-time.

Loftus-Cheek flatters to deceive
Publicly, Fulham boss Parker stands by Ruben Loftus-Cheek. And sure, there is a powerful player just itching to show what he can do.

Sometimes the ball just doesn't run for him, but most of the time his attempts at getting past a player run into a brick wall; his runs to receive are not quite right, or the ball bobbles at the wrong moment.

His chipped cross is just behind the goal, and so on.

Added up, he just doesn't do enough.

A couple of goals for him would make a world of difference, but they don't look on the horizon anytime soon.

They certainly won't come if he gets hooked like he did with 20 minutes left.

More frustration for Mitro
No sooner does Mitrovic get praised than up go the exasperated arms.

He did well in the last two games, but was back to wondering how the referee could be so unfair as to not award him a penalty as he hit the deck at least twice in the second half. Clutching at straws came to mind.

How different it might have been had his first-time clip not caught the legs of Leicester's James Justin in the first half.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-verdict-whites-must-take-more-risks-and-need-more-from-loftus-cheek

WhiteJC

Fulham will 'come out fighting' after latest defeat – Parker

Fulham boss Scott Parker admits his team need to start winning games soon if they are to have any chance of preserving their place in the Premier League – but insists they will not give up.

The Whites went down 2-0 at home in a limp display against an under-manned Leicester side.

The defeat leaves Fulham firmly entrenched in the relegation zone but with 17 matches of the season remaining Parker insists his squad boast the character and the spirit to ensure they don't make an instant return to the Championship.

"We huffed and puffed against a good team with top players and we were not able to take our moments and we fell short tonight," Parker said.

"But we need to start winning football matches and we move on to the next one. There is still a lot of football to be played this season.

"This team are fully committed to the job in hand ... they are a great bunch and we can't let these defeats derail us.

"This game has now passed, there is no looking over, but we have to start looking at can we beat West Ham on Saturday?

"I believe we can get a result and how we do that is with a clear and confident mind. We'll come out fighting."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-fulham-will-come-out-fighting-after-latest-defeat-parker


WhiteJC

Fulham 'fell short,' says Parker

Scott Parker was disappointed that Fulham 'fell a bit short' in tonight's defeat by Leicester – but he is far from throwing in the towel when it comes to his side's survival prospect.

Fulham were beaten by first half goals from Kelechi Iheanacho and James Justin and a majestic midfield performance from playmaker James Maddison at Craven Cottage. Parker told his post-match press conference that his side lacked penetration and overall quality and were picked off by their visitors.

I thought we huffed-and-puffed tonight. Their quality in the attacking third for their goals was evident. The detail in their counter attack with the decisions they made was excellent. We weren't able to take our moments, not necessarily with shots, but little overloads. We fell a little bit short. We understand we need to start winning football matches – we're at a stage where there is a clear focus. We move onto Saturday.

The Fulham boss still believes his side have the quality to survive and attests to the character of his team.

For large parts we had a control about us. We played some good stuff without causing them too many problems. People may say I'm mad, but I see a team that can win football matches. There are 17 games left this season, we've seen what a couple of results in a short space of time can do. Am I looking at a team that's wilting to a slow death? Not at all. My team is fully committed to the job in hand.

We need to win games now. We want to give ourselves a fighting chance to stay in this division. This team have progressed extremely well. We've gone from a team that was written off to a team that has worked on certain problems. When you're newly-promoted progression is what you need to work on. This is a great group of lads that are working their hardest. The way we win games is by putting in strong, confident performances. We can't let defeats derail us.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/02/fulham-fell-short-says-parker/

WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham Go Down 2-0 To Leicester City

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

In this episode, we share our initial thoughts to the 2-0 disappointing loss for Fulham against Leicester City.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2021/2/3/22265089/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-go-down-2-0-to-leicester-city

WhiteJC

Five Thoughts: Fulham 2-0 Leicester City
Ladies and gentlemen, that was Leicester City's first win at Craven Cottage in nearly 38 years and without Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho, who hadn't scored in 15 outings, throttled his duck to open the scoring for the Foxes, leaving Fulham treading in deep, deep water at the foot of the table.


That gap's widening, the plot's thickening and in the aftermath of the Whites' 11th defeat, we're scraping the bottom of the barrel for reasons to be cheerful. We're 8 points off safety, deprived of a lifeline and up next, we've West Ham United, a side that's flying high in a European spot. On paper, we're as good as gone, but as there's 18 games left to play, I'll fantasise about 'Great Escapes' and otherworldly unbeaten runs.

Choking On Chances
Because Leicester can comfortably convert their chances, and Fulham physically can't no matter what, this game was done and dusted by the time your half-time cuppa had even brewed. For clarity, the Whites actually manufactured relatively convincing opportunities but when it mattered, they tripped melodramatically over self-made obstacles. The Foxes chiselled their way through our unsettled defensive line which, to be fair, tightened up after the interval, however that result, ladies and gentlemen, is ultimately what you deserve when your strike force is shy of doing its loving job.

Overall, Fulham recorded 9 shots, with just one testing the target. Tosin Adarabioyo's stooping header was the only instance where Kasper Schmeichel muddied his palms, Ivan Cavaleiro dragged wide from a range where he should've worked the frame and our creativity, an absent quality factor we'll dissect further, was cataclysmically predictable, as per. This, I'm sad to admit, is exactly what we've come to expect from Parker's set-up. Wielding idle threats, the Ronnie Pickering of the footballing world, floundering on a viral scale, the deadest chat with the baggiest boot-cut trousers. There is no razor-sharp edge, there is no productivity, it's utterly pathetic that with momentum and impetus, our flaccid offensive faculties exist only to disappoint.

Exposing Phony Mitro
If I saw things correctly, Aleksandar Mitrovic pulled on his shiniest dancing shoes and forgot all the necessary steps. This is a striker that finished last season on 26 domestic goals, a bully that shook shitloads of change from lesser individual's pockets and this season, in a higher set, he's just a glorified gym enthusiast that owns a pair of Trusoxs. His weak spots have been unsympathetically exposed far too often this term and now, stripped of purpose, he's crestfallen with the phony he's become. Shanked sitters, inappropriate flicks, a dejected demeanour, Mitro's clapped out and running on empty, and that sounds like a him kind of problem to me.

We've whinged after a target man, a dominant focal point we can utilise in central areas and his over-eagerness to be involved in every waking phase diluted his influence, dramatically. He gravitated to the flanks, needlessly, just so he could give the ball straight back to a cornered Ruben Lostus-Cheek and in the air, even against Daniel Amartey, he was secondary, out jumped and outfought. Tiptoeing coyly on the edge of the 18, the 26-year-old shirked his duties, quivering on the trigger, and his thwarted effort in the first half summarises his outing, and year, perfectly. Sapped of form and confidence, a foiled force shoehorned into a system that doesn't suit him, we're merely making do because we've nobody else to turn to. Josh Maja should leap at the prospect of ousting Mitro, it won't take much doing off the back of that tractable performance.

Brainwashed and Stranded
It's times like these where I really, really miss the creaky knees of Tom Cairney. Innovation is a term that's alien to Fulham's mono-dimensional mode of attack and we're really clutching at straws if we think RLC, a bloke with cinder blocks for feet, is going to magic up a single bean of originality anytime soon. The way we surged on the break, pilotless Red Arrows. The manner in which we docilely shuffled possession left to right in front of a the Foxes' settled departments, scathingly predictable, pedestrian and anticipated. We are completely stranded in the final third, a barren entity and our rigidness, while it's required defensively, has no place, whatsoever, in advanced areas.

Parker's bestowed an organisational onus which has unintentionally suppressed our imagination. I fear that we're witnessing this squad at its true potential, an over-methodical drone, brainwashed into a mindset where risks hold no credible advantages. Nothing suggests that we're scheming, strategizing, even dreaming of a reality where our defence is stubborn and our attack is prolific, we've placed an emphasis on shape and structure and subsequently, we've forgotten how to express ourselves. Punchy sequences and prolonged spells of possession are derisory, smoke and mirror illusions fabricated to deceive and delude. Strap TC's shins in bamboo, fasten a timer to his left peg and tether him to the edge of the 'D', that is surely our only remaining hope.

Mola's a Trier
God loves a trier, so they say, and if we're to applaud a Fulham representative, amid the drudgery, it's got to be Ademola Lookman. Without being particularly spectacular, Mola laboured at a rate that surpassed his teammates' exertions, hounding Ricardo Pereira persistently and flexing muscles we, and even he, didn't know he had. If anything, Lookman's a victim of our insipidness in the final third and yet, he never quits, he never relents and he will always dart into unseen pockets, wishing his colleagues would jab the ball into his general direction so he could hotfoot his marker.

His intricacy in possession isn't overcooked, the 23-year-old was the only present member that aspired to play between the lines, to mesh routine sequences persuasively and though his exploits came to no avail, he's a consistent live wire that rarely has an off day, regardless to whether others around him decide to show up or not. We didn't get the absolute best out of Lookman because he's continually ignored, he always seems to be one step ahead of the player in custody of the ball and if this flawed, plodding offensive policy's to work, we have to incorporate the Red Bull Leipzig loanee as often as possible. He'll invariably do all the necessary leg work, and his tenacious streak means he'll stop at nothing until he's satisfied his appetite.

Reality Check, Noted
Assuaging the angst isn't going to be easy, this loss is a very tough pill to swallow, but I'll try to sooth the burns with a lashing of cold, hard candour. Before we get ahead of ourselves, before we descend into a whirlpool of crippling self-pity, a reality check's in order: Leicester are third in the standings, 5 points off table-topping Manchester City and despite a less than savoury first-half showing, the Whites salvaged some dignity with a hardened display in the second. It wasn't sexy, alluring or even remotely inspiring, but Parker's side will refocus and I think it would be unfair to say we're totally surplus.

Rodgers has a formula for beating Fulham, it may have been shelved in November, but he always gets the rub of the green at our expense and in football, those trends are hard to break. A loss, like it or not, was coming. We can say the same about a win, which has avoided us since our previous meeting against the visitors, although the better team won and we simply have to suck it up. The clichés, the "fine margins" are all relevant, we aren't going to scrape draws every single week and if we haven't got the tools to dig out three points, we deserve our plight. We cannot rely on the teams around us to bail us out, that ship sailed after Burnley's 1-0 victory over Liverpool, so if we're already at that listless stage of the campaign where vapid phrases such as "play for pride" are on the tip of the tongue, we should embrace the carnage and enjoy the rest of the ride, whatever comes our way.



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