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Thursday fulham Stuff - 18/02/21...

Started by WhiteJC, February 18, 2021, 12:07:12 AM

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WhiteJC

size=12pt]Results[/size]


Wednesday
Burnley
1-1
Fulham
Everton
1-3
Man City

WhiteJC

Burnley 1-1 Fulham


Aina briefly gave Fulham hope of back-to-back wins with his second Fulham goal

Relegation-threatened Fulham lost some of the momentum built up by their win at Everton but showed battling qualities to claim a point at Burnley.

Of the three sides currently adrift at the bottom of the Premier League, the Cottagers seem the most capable of clawing their way to safety, as illustrated by their impressive win at Goodison Park on Sunday.

But they failed to repeat that bright and incisive display at Turf Moor against a typically hard-working and competitive Clarets side, who married their industry with the game's main moments of attacking ingenuity.

It was the visitors, though, who took the lead, as much through fortune as design, with Ola Aina's chested effort from a corner finding the net despite an attempted clearance from Robbie Brady on the line.

Crucially, the visitors were denied the time to draw confidence from the opener, with Burnley hitting back three minutes later through a well-taken Ashley Barnes finish, following a superb low ball from Jay Rodriguez.

The same two strikers had both narrowly failed to get a goal-bound touch on a superb low cross from James Tarkowski in the first half, while Rodriguez saw a low drive kicked away by Alphonse Areola shortly after his side had levelled the score.

The draw represents an opportunity missed for Burnley to put further ground between themselves and the London side, with the gap between the two a sizeable but not yet entirely comfortable eight points.

Scott Parker's side remain six points shy of safety, with Newcastle the 17th-placed side most in danger of being reeled in.

A point gained, or two lost for Fulham?
Earning a result at Burnley against a side built to expose the mental and physical weaknesses in an opponent, especially a newly promoted one, is not an easy task.

In doing so, Fulham have further demonstrated their growth into a top-flight side, after claiming a number of creditable draws earlier in the campaign and then dispatching an aspiring big-hitter in Everton last weekend.

Unfortunately, the Cottagers' development could have come too late.

Only wins will really eat into the gap between themselves and safety and they cannot afford to let one slip from their grasp when it is there to be had.

It is why Parker and his side will be so disappointed at the speed and manner with which they conceded the equaliser at Turf Moor, throwing away the lead and momentum they had seized by allowing Barnes a free run in on goal to finish.

They had been on the back foot for large periods before that and were indebted to a bit of fortune for their goal, but aesthetics come a distant second to actual points right now.

The biggest positive for Burnley will be that their advantage over the Cottagers remains the same as it was before kick-off.

With the likes of Newcastle and Palace in far worse form than they are, and Brighton a point worse off, they will feel relatively calm about their situation.

What will worry manager Dyche is further injuries to his already depleted squad, with Johan Berg Gudmundsson having to depart, and his replacement Robbie Brady also needing to be replaced.

There is no respite for either side, with both facing further important fixtures at the weekend.

Burnley host West Brom, the side a place below Fulham in the table, while Parker's men welcome bottom club Sheffield United to Craven Cottage.

'When we get ahead we need to weather something'
Burnley boss Sean Dyche talking to Sky Sports: "Another point on the board, we are stripped to the bare bones. A committed performance.

"The reaction to their goal was excellent and I thought we defended well. It's remarkably unfortunate how many injuries we have had."

Fulham boss Scott Parker talking to Sky Sports: "It is a tough place to come, the ball is in play not a lot, it is scrappy. We got our noses in front and disappointed with the goal we have conceded.

"We take the point though. That is four points so far this week. When we get ahead we need to weather something. There were a couple of mistakes for their goal.

"I thought we were solid, dealt with the threat of balls coming in but were not able to get our identity on it.

"We regroup, it has been a busy week. Every game is big for us. Six points. This team has honest belief and confidence."

Burnley's best unbeaten home run extended - the stats
    Burnley are unbeaten in their past 31 home meetings with Fulham in all competitions (W25 D6), extending their longest ever unbeaten run against an opponent at Turf Moor in their history. Their last such defeat was back in April 1951 (2-0).
    Fulham's 31-game winless streak away from home against Burnley in all competitions is their longest run without a victory on the road against an opponent in their history.
    There have been just 24 Premier League goals scored at Turf Moor this season (Burnley scoring 10 and conceding 14) - the joint-lowest total at a top-flight ground in 2020-21 (level with Craven Cottage).
    Fulham have gone six consecutive away games without defeat in the Premier League (W1 D5), their joint longest such run in the competition (also in August 2004 under Chris Coleman).
    Burnley have conceded the first goal of the game in eight of their 12 Premier League matches at Turf Moor this season, including each of the past five - only Sheffield United (10) have done so more often on home soil in the competition this campaign.
    There were just 224 seconds between Ola Aina's opener for Fulham and Ashley Barnes' equaliser for Burnley.
    Burnley's Jay Rodriguez has assisted in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time in his career, with this his 196th appearance in the competition.
    Burnley's Robbie Brady is the only player to have been substituted on and off in two separate Premier League games this season.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55456854

WhiteJC

Post-Burnley Press Conference

Scott Parker was disappointed his Fulham side were unable to hold onto their narrow lead, but was proud of his team's overall performance following the 1-1 draw with Burnley on Wednesday night.

After taking a lead early in the second half through Ola Aina, Ashley Barnes hit back quickly to ensure the spoils were shared at Turf Moor.

Despite having to return home with one point, Parker was pleased his side were able to show a different side to them and combat a dangerous Burnley outfit.

"I thought we showed another side to us tonight," Parker reflected. "I think we knew we would have to show that.

"The game was always going to be very different to our last game versus Everton in terms of how the game is and plays out.

"The ball was out of play a lot, there were a lot of fouls, a lot of stop-start.

"Burnley are a very well organised team. They always put you under constant pressure. Certainly in terms of showing our side it was going to be difficult tonight.

"I thought in the first half we struggled a little bit. But the second half we changed it around and I think that helped us. We got our noses in front.

"I am then a little bit disappointed that we didn't hold onto that lead a little bit longer. We made a couple of mistakes. But in saying that, as the game developed, we got a foothold back in the game and had some big chances.

"We have a young team here, I had 20 years as a player. I understood what this game would be like.

"To get a result here, whether it is a point or three points, you have to show something more as a team. We did that, and we got the point."

With the draw, Fulham moved to within six points of Newcastle United.

The Head Coach wants focus to immediately turn to Sheffield United this coming Saturday and for his side to keep racking up the points and keep the momentum building.

"This is a massive game for us now," he said. "We went into this week full of confidence.

"We have got four points so far and we look ahead to Sheffield United looking to win the game.

"Let's go win this game. Let's go and beat Sheffield United. Let's take seven points this week. 

"That would be a massive week for us. The gap has narrowed to six points.

"This team is going in the right direction. Our main focus is us and how we perform. But of course our focus is to reel in those above us.

"We are competitive in this league. Every game we play I feel like we can win. My team can get results in this division and we have proven that.

"Let's keep racking up these points and see where it takes us."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/february/Post-Burnley-Press-Conference/


WhiteJC

Burnley 1-1 Fulham: Ashley Barnes quickly cancels out Ola Aina opener in Turf Moor stalemate

Fulham missed a potentially crucial chance to further reel in their relegation rivals as they were held to a 10th Premier League draw of the season by Burnley on Wednesday evening.

Scott Parker's 18th-placed side travelled to Turf Moor on the back of a Josh Maja-inspired shock 2-0 win at Everton at the weekend, hoping to further reduce the gap to Newcastle in 17th to just four points.

It was the hosts, fresh off their own surprising 3-0 triumph at Crystal Palace, that created the better chances during a competitive but relatively dour first half, with Kevin Long - starting in place of injured Burnley captain Ben Mee - heading over from close range and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola getting a crucial touch to prevent Jay Rodriguez from turning in a low James Tarkowski cross just before the interval.

But it was Fulham that got their noses in front just four minutes after half-time as a corner from the right caused panic inside the Burnley box and deflected into the path of full-back Ola Aina, who managed to smartly chest the ball goal-bound and watched as Robbie Brady failed in his attempts to hack clear on the line.

However, that advantage lasted barely three minutes as Ashley Barnes showed great composure to beat Areola after Tosin Adarabioyo had been beaten all too easily by Rodriguez down Fulham's left flank.

Neither side could produce a late winner and Fulham now lie six points adrift of safety with key games against bottom club Sheffield United and Crystal Palace followed by tough tests in the form of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Burnley, meanwhile, will be feeling confident of avoiding any relegation fears as they move 15th and eight points above the drop zone.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/burnley-vs-fulham-result-premier-league-2021-turf-moor-b920195.html

WhiteJC

Fulham draws 1-1 at Burnley, now 6 points from safety in EPL

BURNLEY, England

Fulham collected another point in its bid to climb to safety in the Premier League by drawing 1-1 at fellow struggler Burnley on Wednesday.

Looking to back up its win at Everton on Sunday, Fulham took the lead again on the road when Ola Aina glanced the ball home unwittingly with his chest at a corner after a flick-on by teammate Joachim Andersen in the 49th minute at Turf Moor.

Burnley equalized three minutes later as Jay Rodriguez turned his marker near the touchline and curled in a cross to strike partner Ashley Barnes, who took a touch and shot left-footed low past Alphonse Areola.

Fulham, which is in third-to-last place and occupying the final relegation spot, trimmed the gap to nearest rival Newcastle to six points and they have now played the same number of games.

The game was rearranged from late December after it was canceled because of a coronavirus outbreak at Fulham's training ground.

The draw kept Burnley eight points clear of Fulham with 14 games remaining in the season.

It proved to be a forgettable match for Robbie Brady, who came on as a substitute for Burnley in the 40th — only to be substituted himself in the 65th soon after getting booked. In his time on the field, he failed to clear Aina's bundled effort for the goal despite being stationed on the far post, succeeding only in slicing the ball into his own net.



Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/article249315945.html#storylink=cpy

WhiteJC

Fulham close gap with another draw

Ola Aina's instinctive second-half strike earned Fulham a point and moved them within six points of safety.

The former Chelsea defender reacted smartly to chest the ball home from the near post after Joachim Andersen had cleverly flicked on Ademola Lookman's corner.

But the 1-0 lead only lasted three minutes, as Burnley drew level in slightly fortuitous circumstances.

Ashley Barnes's poor touch from a Jay Rodriguez pass fooled keeper Alphonse Areola and allowed the burly striker to net with a low finish that denied Fulham a second successive win.

That two goal-burst just after the break brought much-needed life to a dull contest at Turf Moor following a first half which brought very little noteworthy goalmouth action.

Areola was the only keeper seriously troubled when he had to push away a dangerous low cross by ex-Brentford defender James Tarkowski.

After the goals, both sides had chances as the game opened up in the closing stages, with Rodriguez forcing a decent save from Areola.

But Scott Parker's side, who have now lost just once in their past six league games, posed the greater threat, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek heading wide when under pressure and Lookman narrowly missing the target with a fine curling shot.

However, Fulham were unable to find a winner which would have taken them to within four points of fourth-from-bottom Newcastle United and had to settle for 10th Premier League draw of the season.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-close-gap-with-another-draw


WhiteJC

Fulham let precious lead slip away

Fulham squandered a glorious chance to reduce the gap between themselves and safety at the foot of the Premier League after they let a second half lead slip at Turf Moor. Scott Parker had spoken about the necessity of turning draws into wins ahead of a crucial run of fixtures against their relegation rivals, but his side were unable to hold onto the advantage handed to them by Ola Aina's scrappy strike from a corner four minutes after half-time. Sloppy defending allowed Ashley Barnes to tuck home an equaliser three minutes later and, despite a prolonged period of late pressure, Fulham were unable to earn a first win at the Clarets in nearly seventy years.

The enormity of this fixture – with both sides seeking points to bolster their perilous position at the wrong end of the table – made for a cagey contest. Fulham were far less adventurous than in their impressive win at Everton on Sunday night and, whilst Sean Dyche's side forced the pace to a greater degree, clear cut chances were at a real premium. Barnes had the best sight of goal when he was found by a raking forward ball from Ashley Westwood but he produced a fresh air shot from just inside the box having got clear of the Fulham back line. Kevin Long, in for the injured Ben Mee at the heart of the Burnley defence, then sent a free header over the bar from five yards after Alphonse Areola had flapped at an inswinging corner.

The French goalkeeper then fielded a thunderous drive from Westwood from a half-cleared set-play, but fortunately for Fulham the former Aston Villa midfielder's strike was straight at Areola. The visitors had offered little as an attacking force, with their one flowing move fashioning a sniff of goal for Josh Maja only for Long to reach Kenny Tete's cross just ahead of him. There was a real let off for the Whites right at the end of the first half when Tarkowski motored down the left and produced a peach of a cross that eluded Barnes and was pushed away from the sliding Jay Rodriguez by Areola's vital touch.

Fulham had struggled to get a foothold in a scrappy affair before the break. Parker tweaked things a touch in the second half, deploying Ruben Loftus-Cheek a little more centrally, but their opening goal arrived from a corner with a huge slice of fortune. Ademola Lookman's delivery was flicked on by Joachim Andersen at the near post and the loose ball struck Aina on the chest and careered into the net, via Robbie Brady's rather casual attempt at a clearance. It was similar to the way Fulham took the lead at Newcastle in December and, disappointingly, it was to prove just as academic.

Burnley were level within three minutes. Aina and Lookman tried to lead a raid down the left but Fulham's move quickly broke down and their ambition proved their outstanding. Rodriguez spun away from Tosin Adarabioyo with a smart turn that created space down the right touchline and his measured pass for his strike partner left Barnes clear on goal. He recovered from an abysmal first touch to slot past a stranded Areola and wipe out Fulham's precious advantage.

The visitors then weathered a sticky spell as Dyche's men looked to capitalise on their setback. The introductions of Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Ivan Cavaleiro studied things for Fulham. The Portuguese winger's purposeful running from the right gave them a new attacking outlet and one such foray fashioned a chance for Maja, whose turn and snapshot from 30 yards drew a sprawling save from Nick Pope. Cavaleiro then carved out a deep cross for Loftus-Cheek, who guided his header horribly wide with the goal gaping.

Suddenly, it was Fulham doing all the pressing. Loftus-Cheek and Cavaleiro linked up well down the right with the former's pacey cross rather surprising Maja. The ball ran out to hit Lookman and loop goalwards, but it lacked the power needed to overly trouble Pope. Maja did brilliantly to create a chance for Lookman on the left angle of the area, holding the ball up and locating the winger with a precise pass but the curling effort didn't bend enough to nestle in the far corner.

There was a let off right at the end of the three added minutes when Areola came and failed to get anywhere near a Burnley corner, with Barnes uncharacteristically heading wide from six yards on. Referee Jon Moss had apparently whistled for a foul on the goalkeeper – but any Fulham relief was shortlived. This felt like a golden opportunity to pick up a precious three points and pile the pressure not just on Newcastle, now six points clear of the drop zone, but Burnley as well. Parker smiled ruefully as he walked off; coming to terms with the fact that his side had squandered the chance to add more momentum to their survival bid.

BURNLEY (4-4-2): Pope; Lowton, Taylor, Tarkowski, Long; Cork, Westwood, Gudmundsson (Brady 40; Brownhill 65), McNeil; Barnes, Rodriguez. Subs (not used): Peacock-Farrell, Norris, Bardsley, Dunne, Driscoll-Glennon, Benson, Mumbongo.

BOOKED: Brady 40.

GOAL: Barnes (52).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Areola; Tete (Robinson 78), Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo; Reed, Lemina (Anguissa 61); Loftus-Cheek, Lookman, Decordova-Reid (Cavaleiro 67); Maja. Subs (not used): Rodak, Hector, Kongolo, Ream, Odoi.

BOOKED: Loftus-Cheek.

GOAL: Aina (49).

REFEREE: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).

VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE: Darren England (South Yorkshire).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/02/fulham-let-precious-lead-slip-away/

WhiteJC

Aina scores second career Premier League goal as Fulham hold Burnley

The 24-year-old Nigeria international found the back of the net to help the Cottagers avoid defeat at Turf Moor

Ola Aina scored his second Premier League goal as Fulham played out a 1-1 draw with Burnley on Wednesday night.

The wing-back is no stranger to the English top-flight, having featured in the elite league during his time with Chelsea, where he spent more than a decade.

The Nigeria international moved to Italy in 2019, joining Serie A side Torino permanently and returned to England last summer, teaming up with the Cottagers on a season-long loan.

The wing-back has been delivering impressive performances for the Craven Cottage outfit since his arrival.

The 24-year-old inspired Scott Parker's men to victory against Everton in their last league game, setting up his compatriot Josh Maja to open the scoring in the encounter.

Aina was handed his 20th Premier League appearance against the Clarets and utilized the opportunity to be on the scoresheet.

The defender's effort helped Fulham to continue their unbeaten form after ending their eight-game winless run against the Toffees.

Maja, Ademola Lookman and Tosin Adarabioyo also started the game along with their compatriot Aina and impressed.

Fulham began the game brightly with Lookman making several efforts to try and open the scoring in the encounter.

The forward fired a fine shot in the second minute of the game but his effort was blocked, he then tried to locate a teammate with a pass in the area but again, it was blocked which resulted in a VAR check.

After carefully considering the situation a penalty was not awarded for Fulham.

In the 14th minute, Fulham came close to scoring when Adarabioyo directed his header on target but goalkeeper Nick Pope was in the right place at the right time, saving effortlessly.

With four minutes left before the half-time break, Lookman swung a fine cross into the area which was connected by Gabon international Mario Lemina but he fired his effort wide off target.

After the restart, Fulham continued to push for the opening goal and got it in the 49th minute when Aina broke the deadlock with a fine strike after receiving an assist from Joachim Andersen.

Burnley then levelled proceedings in the 53rd minute when Ashley Barnes found the back of the net after he was set up by Jay Rodriguez.

Aina featured for the duration of the game along with his compatriots Maja, Lookman and Adarabioyo.

Lemina was on parade for 61 minutes before making way for Cameroon international Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

Despite the draw, Fulham remain in the relegation zone after gathering 19 points from 24 games and will hope to secure all three points in their next outing against Sheffield United on February 20.



https://www.goal.com/en/news/aina-scores-second-career-premier-league-goal-as-fulham-hold/j1oljt5qq62t1efgzqaf26xvs

WhiteJC

Parker 'disappointed' with draw at Burnley

Scott Parker was disappointed that Fulham could only pick up a point at Burnley tonight – but still believes there is a long way to go in their battle against relegation.

The Whites went ahead at Turf Moor through Ola Aina's scrappy strike just after half-time but were pegged back within three minutes by Ashley Barnes' equaliser. Parker felt his team showed plenty of character in Lancashire, even if they couldn't end the club's seventy year wait for a win at Turf Moor.

He told his post-match press conference:

"I thought we showed another side to us tonight. I think we knew we would have to. The game was always going to be very different to our last game versus Everton in terms of how the game is and plays out. The ball was out of play a lot, there were a lot of fouls, a lot of stop-start.

"Burnley are a very well organised team. They always put you under constant pressure. Certainly in terms of showing our side it was going to be difficult tonight. I thought in the first half we struggled a little bit. But the second half we changed it around and I think that helped us. We got our noses in front.

"I am then a little bit disappointed that we didn't hold on to that lead a little bit longer. We made a couple of mistakes. But in saying that as the game developed, we got a foothold back in the game and had some big chances. We have a young team here, I had twenty years as a player. I understood what this game would be like. To get a result here, whether it is a point or three points you have to show something more as a team. We did that, and we got the point.

Parker conceded that Saturday night's meeting with bottom of the table Sheffield United is now a 'massive' fixture.

"This is a massive game for us now. We went into this week full of confidence. We have got four points so far and we look ahead to Sheffield United looking to win the game. Let's go win this game. Let's go and beat Sheffield United. Let's take seven points this week. That would be a massive week for us. The gap has narrowed to six points.

The Fulham boss still believes his side are good enough to stay in the Premier League.

"This team is going in the right direction. Our main focus is us and how we perform. But of course our focus is to reel in those above us. We are competitive in this league. Every game we play I feel like we can win. My team can get results in this division and we have proven that. Let's keep racking up these points and see where it takes us."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/02/parker-disappointed-with-draw-at-burnley/


WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham's Drab Draw At Turf Moor

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

This is our initial reaction show to Fulham's 1-1 draw against Burnley.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2021/2/17/22288123/cottage-talk-full-time-fulhams-drab-draw-at-turf-moor

WhiteJC

Parker insists 'every game is big' for Fulham after Burnley draw

Scott Parker was happy with a point after their "scrappy" draw against Sean Dyche's Burnley on Wednesday night.

Burnley were by far the better side in the first half, but they let their opponents off as they went into the break level.

Fulham punished them for this early into the second half. The Clarets made a mess of an Ademola Lookman corner, as the ball found its way to the back post. It was Ola Aina who got the vital touch and Robbie Brady was unable to clear on the line to save his side.

Burnley responded well to going behind, however, as they were back level just three minutes later.

The equaliser was created by Jay Rodriguez as he advanced down the right-hand side. He sent in an early ball towards Ashley Barnes who finished calmly to make it 1-1.

That was how it finished as Burnley remain eight points clear of Fulham in the final relegation spot.

Parker's side have moved a point closer to nearest rivals Newcastle United. They now sit six points adrift of the Magpies with 14 games left of the season.

Speaking with Sky Sports post-match, as cited by BBC Sport, Parker suggested that his team must "regroup" ahead of Saturday's game against Sheffield United:

"It is a tough place to come, the ball is in play not a lot, it is scrappy. We got our noses in front and disappointed with the goal we have conceded.

"We take the point though. That is four points so far this week. When we get ahead we need to weather something. There were a couple of mistakes for their goal.

"I thought we were solid, dealt with the threat of balls coming in but were not able to get our identity on it.

"We regroup, it has been a busy week. Every game is big for us. Six points. This team has an honest belief and confidence."



https://www.football365.com/news/parker-insists-every-game-is-big-for-fulham-after-burnley-draw

WhiteJC


Fulham verdict: Another draw, but Whites still in with a shout ahead of vital Blades clash

Another woeful Fulham away record got an unwelcome extension with a 1-1 result against Burnley and a 10th draw of the season.

The Whites haven't won at Turf Moor since 1951 – when a pint of beer cost 5p.

That season they finished 18th, and would stand a few rounds at modern prices to finish in the same slot this time.

Ola Aina's clever use of the chest for a Fulham lead was a terrific finish, but his side were undone than three minutes later when Ashley Barnes levelled.

A presence up front

Josh Maja looks the real deal.

He didn't score, unlike his debut brace at Everton on Sunday, but against the Clarets he was in the right place to receive, control and supply.

The one blot on his copybook was his swing and miss in the dying seconds that hit Ademola Lookman and bounced harmlessly into Nick Pope's grateful hands.

Poor Aleksandar Mitrovic is isolating with Coronavirus and he's going to have to perform out of his skin to win his place back.

But problems at the back

Tosin has had better games. Not least because he was done all ends up for the Burnley goal, but also because he looked strangely nervous in parts of the game.

This, after all, is his first season as a Premier League player, and the strides he's made match his 6ft 5ins frame.

He's been more comfortable in other tussles, and did nothing seriously wrong other than pay cash for Jay Rodriguez's dummy to set up Barnes for the goal, but it's testimony to Tosin's prowess that this was no more than a 6/10 by his standards.

Lucky escapes

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was a tad lucky to get just a caution after 16 minutes as he slid in on Charlie Taylor.

Just as culpable, Robbie Brady's drag back on Aina after the Burnley player had been booked on 54 minutes was a second yellow today, tomorrow and until the law is changed.

Had this been his first yellow-tinged offence, Brady would have got the card, followed by the inevitable red.

Instead, referee Jon Moss bottled it, but not Sean Dyche.

The Burnley boss hauled off sub Brady 24 minutes after he came on for Jóhann Gudmundsson.

On the plus side, the "aggressive defence" Scott Parker demands saw a high line at all free-kicks that meant any Burnley head was too far out to inflict damage, and any in-swinger saw keeper Alphonse Areola meet it halfway to claim.

Simple, but oh so effective when it comes to dealing with dead-ball deliveries.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-verdict-another-draw-but-whites-still-in-with-a-shout-ahead-of-vital-blades-clash


WhiteJC

Jack and Loz Not at the Cottage - Blog 167
Date: 17th February 2021

Opposition: Burnley

Score: 1-1

Fulham goal scorer: Ola Aina's tummy

Body part of the match: Ola's tummy obviously but a shout out to Areola's fingertips for dealing with the cross towards the end of the first half

Dinner: Loz - veggie curry; Jack - macaroni cheese

On Valentine's Day, Fulham won a lovely 3 points and broke a record at Goodison Park. On Wednesday, we were slogging back up the M6 chasing another record - a W at a ground where we've only scored Roman numerals in the past.

Lots of fans suggested that Scott shouldn't change his winning line up for the trip to Burnley and he took our advice. But it's odd because between Sunday and Wednesday that line up regressed to the point where it felt like we were watching an entirely different team.

Of course, Burnley is a very difficult place to go. The pitch looks like a ploughed field so Burnley have to play head tennis instead of football at all their home games. This means they are very good at long kicks, agricultural clearances and generally hoofing the ball around. Fulham, whose best player is 5'11 in his studs, are very bad at this.

Burnley are also very good at winning free kicks and corners, the former sometimes by nefarious means. So a match at Chuck Yourself on the Turf Moor is more like rugby in terms of being stop-start and more like diving in terms of......diving.

Burnley do what they do very well. There was absolutely no chance Fulham were going to allowed to play our smooth, intricate passing game (even if it were possible to pass a ball smoothly over all those furrows). At Burnley, you play Burnley's game. Their combination of aggression and wussyness is unusual but effective, particularly when they manage to fool the referee into thinking a massive brick shithouse of a man can be knocked over by a featherlight touch.

However, all credit to them in their brutal pursuit of the points and for capitalising on the mistake which led to their goal. Fulham meanwhile, made life hard for ourselves (as usual) by constantly losing the ball, getting out of position and wasting most of our chances. Of course, everyone was tired and jaded after Sunday but whereas it was hard to pick a MOTM at Everton because everyone was so good, it was hard to pick one at Burnley because everyone was so average. Without wishing to single anyone out, loanees with double-barrelled names were particularly bad.

Andersen will be disappointed not to keep one of the clean sheets he cherishes and Lookman and Maja will be disappointed not to have been more alert in front of goal although Maja's movement and all round game was refreshingly good. Frank and Cav looked strong and sharp when they came on and will have given Scott some dilemmas for Saturday's Must Win Game. Areola did a lot more good than bad and whilst RLC's football was lacking he used his physicality well at times.

So, back to those Roman numerals and a D is, of course, worth a lot more than an L. Sure, we're only 1 point closer to safety but it could be a point that really matters at the end of the season. And more than that: Fulham went to Burnley battle weary and with a lot still to lose and we fought to the end. Most Fulham teams haven't come away from Roll Around on the Turf Moor with a draw but this Fulham team did.

It was rough, it was ugly, it was in some ways lucky, but we got a point. Let's take it and move on.

Random musings:-

- the pre-match huddle was good to see. Lemina seemed to be doing a lot of the talking

- when Scott was getting told off by the ref (presumably for questioning his eye sight) Andersen made sure he was in close attendance

- genuine kit suggestion: if you have a very muddy pitch, maybe white shorts aren't the answer?

On Saturday our busy and crucial footballing week ends back home at the Cottage with the possibility of being within touching distance of safety. This team has come a long way but there are many miles still to go. There is still everything to play for.



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