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Sunday Fulham Stuff - 02/05/21...

Started by WhiteJC, May 02, 2021, 08:33:17 AM

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WhiteJC

Results


Saturday
Palace
0-2
Man City
Brighton
2-0
Leeds
Chelsea
2-0
Fulham
Everton
1-2
Villa

WhiteJC

Chelsea 2-0 Fulham


Kai Havertz doubled his Premier League goal tally in this game

Kai Havertz scored twice to boost Chelsea's grip on a Champions League place and send Fulham closer to Premier League relegation.

Havertz, one of five changes in between the Blues' Champions League semi-final legs against Real Madrid, latched on to Mason Mount's through ball to give them an early lead.

He doubled their advantage when he finished after a one-two with Timo Werner.

In between those efforts he also had a goal correctly ruled out for offside.

Fulham had plenty of chances in the first half with Antonee Robinson and Ola Aina forcing good saves from Edouard Mendy.

But they created nothing of note after the break and now sit nine points off safety with four games to go.

Chelsea, who just need a goalless home draw against Real on Wednesday to reach the Champions League final, have a six-point cushion over West Ham in the top four.

"Kai played double striker with Timo and the two had a good connection and were always dangerous," Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel told BBC Sport.

"We need him spot on to achieve our goals. There are many reasons to maybe talk about why it is a difficult situation [for Havertz in his first season in England] but in the end you are responsible for yourself and he is.

"He must adapt as quick as possible. That is what he is doing and that is what we demand of him."

Havertz's finest hour?
Havertz has struggled to live up to high expectations following his £71m move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer - with Covid leaving him bedridden in November. In 90 minutes against Fulham he managed to double his Premier League goal tally.

A clinical performance - he scored with both his shots - could put him in manager Tuchel's thinking for the Real game on Wednesday.

"I'm always desperate to start games," Havertz said afterwards. "But I know we have a lot of quality players in the team and the other players play well as well.

"I keep going, train hard and give my best. We will see on Wednesday."

His first came at the end of a nice team move which started with goalkeeper Mendy, who has now kept 16 clean sheets in 28 Premier League games. He rolled the ball to Thiago Silva, who sprayed a long ball forward. Mount controlled it well and fed Havertz who slotted home.

He then had a goal ruled out for a clear offside from another Mount pass.

His second came when he controlled Ben Chilwell's pass and beat two defenders before finding Werner. He continued his run to ghost in behind the defence and received Werner's return pass before finishing.

The hard-working, unselfish Werner is another big-money summer signing who seems to have underachieved - yet he is the first player to reach double figures in goals and assists - 11 and 10 respectively - in his first Chelsea season since Eden Hazard in 2012-13.

Only four other Premier League players have achieved over 10 goals and assists in all competitions this season.

That Havertz goal was Chelsea's only shot in the second half until a late flurry in injury time as they were able to just cruise to victory before the biggest game of their season.

A matter of if, not when for Fulham

Brighton's 2-0 win over Leeds earlier on Saturday left Fulham nine points from safety and with four games to go for the London side it is basically all over.

They had more shots in the first half than Chelsea, seven to five, with drives from Robinson and Ademola Lookman well saved before Mendy changed his body shape to keep out Aina's deflected strike.

Scott Parker's team looked a beaten side in every way in the second half with only three efforts, none on target.

They even handed teenager Fabio Carvalho a league debut in a bid to make something happen but he did not get a chance to make much of an impact.

Their run against Chelsea now stretches to one win in their past 40 meetings.

All four teams above Fulham play again before their next game so their fate could be even closer to being sealed by then.

Tuchel sets Premier League record - the stats

Chelsea are unbeaten in their past 19 home matches against Fulham in all competitions (W11 D8), a run going back to 1979.
Fulham remain winless in their past 24 Premier League London derbies (D5 L19), since a 2-1 victory against West Ham in January 2014.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has kept more clean sheets (11) than any other manager in Premier League history from their first 15 games in charge in the competition.
All eight of Kai Havertz's goals for Chelsea in all competitions have been scored in London - seven at Stamford Bridge and one at Selhurst Park.
Mason Mount (five goals, two assists) and Timo Werner (two goals, five assists) have been involved in more Chelsea goals under Tuchel than any other player.

What's next?

Chelsea host Real Madrid on Wednesday (20:00 BST) in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final before visiting Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday (17:30).

Fulham have a nine-day break before hosting Burnley on Monday, 10 May (20:00).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56869465

WhiteJC

Parker's Post-Chelsea press conference

Scott Parker said that he's proud of his team for how they performed, despite falling 2-0 to Chelsea in the West London derby.

A goal in each half for the hosts was enough to secure the three points for the home side. The Whites were unable to claw their way back into game, after a spirited effort.

"We'll try and win four games now, that's the aim," he said. "I'm proud of the performance, the courage we've shown against a top side. We knew the challenge. Over the last few weeks, we fell a little bit short, maybe it's the pressure.

"I thought we were back to where we needed to be to try and win games in this division, but there's no denying, in certain moments we lacked in certain areas.

"I do believe we can win games with that performance. Chelsea conceded one shot on target against a Real Madrid team, they have an abundance of quality. There is no other option, it'll start on Monday night, we'll go and try and win a game against Burnley. That's our main focus."

"We faced a lot of challenges last year with this group and got promoted. I asked the team to focus on today, and give their best, and until the curtain comes down, that will always be the case."

One positive from the defeat was a Premier League debut for Fabio Carvalho.

"Fabio came off the bench, he's been nothing short of brilliant in training," he admitted. "The last 10 days, he really went about it and that's the reason he came on.

"He settled in, but like all young players, he was probably on the fringes of things, but I felt he could bring something – score us a goal, bring a little bit of magic. I make decisions that I feel is best for the dynamic of the team."

The Head Coach also revealed that Harrison Reed missed out through an ankle injury.

"Harrison Reed has picked up an ankle injury, hopefully it's not too bad. He may miss the next game as well."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/may/Parker-s-Post-Chelsea-press conference/


WhiteJC

NUFC take huge step towards Premier League safety without kicking a ball on Saturday

Newcastle have just taken another big step towards Premier League safety, with Fulham suffering defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.

Scott Parker's side forced Edouard Mendy into a few decent first half saves, but goals from Kai Havertz either side of half time secured a 2-0 win for Chelsea – a result that comes after Brighton moved 10 clear of the drop zone after beating Leeds in today's 3pm kick off.

This leaves Fulham NINE behind us having played a game more, meaning they must now win at least three of their last four games and hope we don't pick up another point.

Here's the latest Premier League table ahead of our clash with Arsenal tomorrow, along with our remaining five fixtures compared to Fulham's four:

Newcastle (5 games) – Arsenal (H), Leicester (A), Man City (H), Sheffield United (H), Fulham (A).

Fulham (4 games) – Burnley (H), Southampton (A), Man Utd (A), Newcastle (H).

Win tomorrow and we're safe.



https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2021/05/01/nufc-take-huge-step-towards-premier-league-safety-without-kicking-a-ball-on-saturday/

WhiteJC

Kai Havertz doubles up as Chelsea deal Fulham's survival hopes another blow

Mason Mount provided the drive and Kai Havertz the ruthlessness in front of goal as Chelsea got the victory they needed to continue their push for a Champions League finish via the Premier League. Now to try to win the thing before the end of this season.

It was difficult to ignore the spectre of what was to come, namely Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid. Chelsea are sitting pretty after the 1-1 draw in the first leg away from home, even if the result could and should have been better. But they were able to narrow their focus and take care of Fulham, deepening their near neighbours' relegation fears in the process.

As so often this season, Scott Parker's team were game and positive opponents, particularly during a first half that they shaded, only to emerge with nothing. Their achilles heel was once again a lack of cutting edge and it is difficult to see how they preserve their top flight status from here. With four games to play, they are nine points from safety.

Chelsea produced the moments of class, the ones that served to make the difference, starting with Mount's glorious piece of control that prefaced his assist for Havertz early on. The German's second featured a one-two with Timo Werner, another gliding run and another confident finish. And that was pretty much that.

Better teams than Fulham have failed to unhinge Chelsea since Thomas Tuchel took charge towards the end of January. This was the manager's 23rd game in all competitions and, remarkably, it brought a 17th clean sheet.

Mount had started on the left of a central midfield three, playing high up; he dropped into a deeper role to the right of Billy Gilmour, who made his first league start of the season, at the start of the second half.

Later he stepped forward again to operate in the space behind the strikers, Havertz and Werner. He was excellent everywhere. Versatility can sometimes be a curse, but not with him.

Havertz has yet to nail down a position since his £72m move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer but he menaced alongside Werner. He has not always looked like a perfect fit as a false nine and maybe being one of a pair up top could be the answer. Tuchel praised him for giving him a selection headache ahead of Real and it is plain that the quality is there. Some of Havertz's touches were of the highest order.

The same could be said of Mount, and his work for the breakthrough goal took the breath away. Thiago Silva sent a high punt up the field and Mount pulled it out of the sky with velvet assurance. He was simultaneously alive to the run of Havertz and his pass in behind Fulham's last defenders released him. Havertz's finish had too much on it for the goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola.

Fulham showed plenty of intensity in the first half, pressing well and playing on the front foot. Antonee Robinson, the left-back, set the tone for them in the fifth minute when he won the ball high up, advanced on goal and unfurled a drive that Édouard Mendy had to tip over the crossbar.

Josh Maja robbed Gilmour after 22 minutes, which led to Silva blocking a Bobby Decordova-Reid shot; from the corner that followed, Ademola Lookman extended Mendy. The Chelsea goalkeeper's best save came in first-half stoppage time. Ola Aina's blast from the edge of the area deflected off Reece James and Mendy was moving in the opposite direction but threw back a hand to block.

At the other end Areola also saved smartly from Hakim Ziyech after Mount's through ball and Werner's low cross. The latter also drew a save out of the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

Chelsea's second goal came at the start of the second half and followed a move of razor-sharp incision. First Havertz controlled a cross-field pass from Ben Chilwell. Then he played a give-and-go with Werner before shooting past Areola. The replays showed that he had timed his run through Fulham's last line to perfection.

Mount was withdrawn on 76 minutes shortly after he suffered a heavy fall but, in Tuchel's words, he should be "absolutely fine" for Real. The manager had similar feelings about the performance.

"It was the perfect match," Tuchel said. "You can get easily confused between two big matches and also when you look at Fulham's position because they are a complicated team to play.

"This was a big win and now we arrive for Wednesday with a clear mind."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/01/chelsea-fulham-premier-league-match-report

WhiteJC

Havertz double finishes off Fulham

In the end it was rather tame. Kai Havertz scored either side of half-time to settle the south west London derby and leave Fulham staring at an immediate return to the Championship. Defeat at the hands of Thomas Tuchel's well-drilled and accomplished outfit leaves Scott Parker's side nine points adrift of safety with four games left.

Fulham had started brightly hoping to catch their neighbours cold after their European exploits in midweek. The only signs were promising with only a well-timed tackle from Andreas Christensen preventing Ademola Lookman from a sight of goal and a couple of shaky clearances suggesting that the visitors might profit from their persistent pressing. Antonee Robinson offered more evidence of Fulham's sense of adventure when he stripped Havertz of possession and surged up the left flank. Only an alert bit of goalkeeping from Edouard Mendy prevented the strugglers from taking the lead.

Chelsea responded quickly. Mason Mount was afforded far too much time and space on the edge of the Fulham box and conjured up a cross that was inches away from the sliding Timo Werner. The German might have been fractionally offside, but it was a timely reminder of the threat posed by Chelsea's player of the season. Fulham didn't heed the warning – as Mount played a pivotal part in the opening goal that arrived two minutes later.

Tuchel's side went a bit more direct from a short goal kick as Thiago Silva lifted a high ball over the Fulham midfield. Mount ran off Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa to move into a threatening position, controlled the ball magnificently and then produced a wonderful weight of pass to release Havertz. The German playmaker didn't even have to break stride as he held off Ola Aina and finished coolly past Alphonse Areola. He was denied a second almost immediately by a correct offside flag – and despite a shaky spell – Fulham didn't cave in.

Robinson recycled a half cleared corner ten yards inside the Chelsea half with a lovely floated ball into the inside right channel. Lookman's low curler carried plenty of power but Mendy's reactions were enough to prevent an equaliser. Parker's charges continued to probe, dominating possession, but they lacked an outlet in the area when the ball reached the final third with Josh Maja outnumbered by three centre backs.

Chelsea should have settled the contest before half time. First, Werner unselfishly pulled the ball across goal having run clear down the right but an instinctive save from Areola denied Hakim Ziyech. The French goalkeeper – so often Fulham's saviour this season – was then on hand to foil Werner, who couldn't get the necessary power behind his shot from the left angle of the box.

While the deficit was just one, Fulham remained in with a chance of the victory they craved to put some life into their bid to beat the drop. Belief would have been enhanced by the way they ended the first half. Former Chelsea defender Aina caught one beautifully on the edge of the area and, a deflection off Reece James, almost wrongfooted Mendy. The Chelsea goalkeeper managed to get a hand to it – and the rebound spun agonisingly out of Bobby Decordova-Reid's reach.

Any hopes of a Fulham revival were dashed just two minutes into the second half. A delightful Chelsea move saw the advanced Ben Chilwell feed Havertz, who spotted that Werner had dropped into space in front of the Fulham defence. Werner threaded a gorgeous return ball through the visitors' rearguard and Havertz rolled in his second goal of the afternoon to hammer another nail in Fulham's coffin.

Parker's side had given plenty in what was a very watchable derby but the second goal knocked the stuffing out of Fulham. There was a first Premier League appearance for eighteen year-old attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho, who almost came close to a consolation goal in stoppage time after linking up with Aleksandar Mitrovic but ended up connecting with Mendy's head rather than the ball as the Chelsea goalkeeper hared off his line.

The game is almost mathematically up for Fulham and, as Parker conceded in his midweek press conference, the club faces a massive rebuild to prepare for life in the second tier.

CHELSEA (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Christensen, Silva, Zouma; James, Chilwell (Alonso 81), Gilmour, Mount (Abraham 76); Ziyech (Kante 66), Werner; Havertz. Subs (not used): Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Anjorin, Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi.

BOOKED: Zouma.

GOALS: Havertz (10, 49).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Areola; Aina, Robinson, Adarabioyo, Andersen; Lemina (Carvalho 78), Anguissa; Cavaleiro (Onomah 78), Decordova-Reid, Lookman; Maja (Mitrovic 81). Subs (not used): Rodak, Hector, Odoi, Ream, Tete, Bryan.

BOOKED: Aina.

REFEREE: Kevin Friend (Leicester).

VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE: Darren England (Doncaster).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/05/havertz-double-finishes-off-fulham/


WhiteJC

Scott Parker refuses to give up on Fulham survival hopes: 'I honestly believe we can win four games'

A defiant Scott Parker refused to throw in the towel in Fulham's Premier League relegation fight, despite Saturday evening's defeat to Chelsea.

A 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge, coupled with Brighton's win over Leeds earlier in the day, means Parker's men are now nine points adrift of safety with just four games remaining - a gap that could increase before the weekend is out, with Burnley and Newcastle yet to play.

It was a day that, for many, signalled the realistic end of Fulham's hopes of staying in the top flight, but Parker insists he retains belief that his men can pull off what would be the Premier League's greatest escape.

"Four wins," he told Sky Sports. "Four wins. It can be done. Perform like that - this team had Real Madrid in midweek and I think they got one shot off on goal against this team.

"This is a very good side, a really good side. Perform like that, for sure I believe. That's what we've got to do. We have to win four games.

"If we can perform and keep the level like we did today we have a chance of beating Burnley, a chance of beating Southampton, we have a chance of beating Man United and then Newcastle. That's the task ahead. It's a difficult one, of course it is, but it's one that with the right way about this I think we can do it.

"I honestly believe that we can win four games. I also know that we have to win four games. That's our aim.

"Everyone no doubt will be laughing at their screens listening to me talk and thinking I'm living in cuckoo-land and maybe I am, but until that curtain comes down, let's see."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/scott-parker-fulham-fc-survival-b932830.html

WhiteJC

Parker offers mixed Fulham messages before explaining limited Mitrovic action

Fulham boss Scott Parker simultaneously lauded and criticised his team's display against Chelsea, and offered an explanation for Aleksandar Mitrovic's delayed substitution despite their desperate need for goals.

Fulham fought bravely, but suffered another damaging blow to their faint chances of avoiding relegation. Parker's men tested Edouard Mendy on a number of occasions in the first half, but each time the rangy goalkeeper was equal to the task.

At the other end the irrepressible Kai Havertz could not be stopped, bagging a brace to showcase why he is one of European football's most highly-rated young stars.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Parker said: "Of course we've not got a positive result but in terms of attitude and desire we got that. And I got a performance. We've seen what this team are about and we put our stamp on it.

"Of course, overall, that quality from Chelsea came through in the two goals. But honestly I'm nothing but proud of my team. In the last few weeks there have been some disappointing performances.

"I understand the questions but you take every game as it is. You need a performance and I got that today. But, like a few times this year, we've fallen short and this was one of those moments.

"It was a poor first goal, a long ball from 50/60 yards really, no pressure. But saying that we had good chances. My team was on the front foot, were aggressive, showed quality but fell short at crucial moments."


Parker explains delayed Mitrovic substitution
Despite Fulham's desperate need for goals, Parker did not introduce Mitrovic to the action until the 81st minute.

Explaining the late call to arms for the Serbian, Parker added: "I didn't want to change too much too quickly.

"The goals came at a bad time for us. I always thought we were in the game, had a good energy and what we did today I was very pleased with."



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/parker-mixed-fulham-messages-mitrovic-reaction

WhiteJC

'People will laugh and think I'm crazy, but there's no other option': Scott Parker refuses to surrender in Fulham's bid to avoid Premier League relegation after watching his side suffer a fifth defeat in six games at Chelsea

    Scott Parker has refused to give up the fight in Fulham's relegation battle
    Fulham suffered a fifth defeat in six matches against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
    But Parker is not giving up, despite his side trailing Newcastle by nine points

Fulham manager Scott Parker is refusing to give up on his side's chance of avoiding Premier League relegation, despite missing another opportunity to pull themselves out of danger.

Parker watched on as Fulham suffered a fifth defeat in six matches against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.

Kai Havertz scored twice for Thomas Tuchel's side as the Blues strengthened their bid to finish in the Champions League spots with a 2-0 victory.


Fulham manager Scott Parker is refusing to give up on his side's chance of avoiding relegation

But Parker is refusing to give up the ghost, despite his side trailing Newcastle by nine points with four games to play.

'I do believe we can win games with performances like today,' said Parker.

'And that's what we have to do, there is no other option.

'I understand from the outside people will laugh and think I'm crazy, but there's no other option for me.

'While it's the case that we can, that's our main focus from now until the end.'

When told Fulham have never won four Premier League games in a row, Parker replied: 'That doesn't make me sag my shoulders at all.

'This is the challenge of the Premier League for a team like us. I understand exactly the numbers, I understand where everyone may see it.

'But I think anyone watching that game today who understands what this game was will see a team that was dynamic, that was trying to win the game. I honestly believe that we can win four games, I know we have to. That's our aim.

'I'm being honest, the last three or four games we've lacked that real spark and certainly lost our identity. Our identity is the way we played today, that's the only way we're going to win football matches.

'We need to try and control the game with the ball, but understand it's not just a possession game, we need to attack and I thought we had that balance quite well considering the opposition.

'We've seen it before (such an escape). While everyone will no doubt be laughing at their screens, listening to me talk, and think I'm living in cuckoo land, I get that, maybe I am. But until that curtain comes down, let's see.'



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9533413/Scott-Parker-refuses-surrender-Fulhams-bid-avoid-Premier-League-relegation.html


WhiteJC

Scott Parker says Fulham can survive Premier League relegation - but can they?

Fulham boss Scott Parker accepts he may be "living in cuckoo land" but still thinks his side can win their final four games and stay in the Premier League - but do the statistics back him up?

The Cottagers are on 27 points, nine points off safety, after a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Saturday.

"What I do know is that if we keep this level we have chance of beating Burnley, then beating Southampton, Manchester United and then Newcastle," Parker said.

Three of their last four games are against the three teams directly above them in the table.

"I know we can win four games and that is our aim," the Fulham boss continued. "It would be some escape, but we've seen it before.

"People will laugh at their screens and think I'm living in cuckoo land - maybe I am. But until that curtain comes down we will see."

Can Fulham win four games in a row?
Fulham need to win their final four games to have any real hope - but they have only won five of their 34 Premier League games this season so far.

They have picked up only one point in their past six games - and have never won four Premier League games in a row.

The last time they won four consecutive games in the top flight was in April 1966 - they stayed up that season by two points.

Has any team ever stayed up in their position?
Three teams have stayed up after having 27 points (or fewer) with four games to go in the 38-game Premier League era.

Aston Villa last season were in that situation and survived with two wins and two draws.

Fulham themselves, in 2007-08, stayed up by winning their final three games in the same situation they are in now.

And Bradford in 1999-2000 won three of their last four to survive.

But crucially none of those sides picked up enough points to make them likely to survive this season. Villa ended on 35 with Fulham and Bradford on 36 each.

Burnley and Newcastle - in the two positions outside the drop zone - are on 36 points with five games each to play.

Will 39 points even be enough?
Teams to go down on 39 points or more (in 38-game Premier League season)
1996-97: Sunderland (40), Middlesbrough (39)
1997-98: Bolton (40)
2002-03: West Ham (42)
2010-11: Birmingham (39), Blackpool (39)

Usually 39 points would be enough to keep a team in the Premier League.

Only six times (across four seasons) have a team gone down with 39 or more points. There have been 36 times when teams have stayed up on 39 or fewer points (including West Ham and Villa last season).

But it may not be enough this season.

If Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton all win one of their final four or five games each (or draw three) - and Newcastle or Burnley pick up more than three points from their five games, Fulham cannot survive.

All of those teams play at least once before Fulham's next game against Burnley.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56959763

WhiteJC

Fulham defiant that they can still catch Newcastle United despite latest setback

Fulham can still stay up.

That is the message from Scott Parker, despite their latest setback.

Fulham have picked up only one point from a possible last eighteen, losing five matches and drawing the other.

Regardless of that bleak set of results, Scott Parker says his Fulham team are capable all four remaining games and staying up.

Newcastle United are still in their sights even though Fulham lost 2-0 at Chelsea.

Scott Parker says the way that Fulham played on Saturday, makes him believe that his side can beat Burnley (Home), Southampton (Away), Man Utd (Away) and Newcastle United (Home).

Looking at the stats, you can see where Parker is coming from with at least some basis for his ultra positive outlook, Fulham had more possession (51% v 49%), more shots (10 v 9) and more corners (8 v 1), just less goals...

The story of much of their season, Fulham playing a lot of good football, a lot of good approach work, but then making the wrong choices in the final third and lacking quality in and around the box, especially finishing.

This is how the Premier League table now looks on Sunday morning, ahead of Newcastle v Arsenal:

As you can see, four wins and 12 points would put Fulham on 39 points and for them to say catch and overtake Newcastle, they would need Newcastle to take no more than three points from their remaining four matches.

Newcastle will be expected to lose at home to Man City and away at Leicester, so in reality, if Fulham somehow won all their games, it would need Steve Bruce and his team to get three points or less from the home games against Arsenal and Sheffield United.

Hopefully, Newcastle will erase even these faint hopes for Fulham in today's match, Arsenal have nothing to play for in the league, all their focus is on winning the Europa League and getting Champions League qualification, they are in poor form (two wins in seven in the Premier League), are set to play a weakened largely unmotivated team today. So for me, Steve Bruce simply has to send his side out on the front foot, that to me is the only Achilles Heel today, the fear that the usual Bruce overly cautious negativity will take over and hand control of the match to Arsenal.

Here's hoping that is not the case and the Newcastle players are sent out to try and put in a convincing performance and get a deserved three points.

Scott Parker after losing 2-0 at Chelsea:
We have to win four games...

"If we can keep the performance level like today [against Chelsea], then we have a chance of beating Burnley.

"Then Southampton, Manchester United and then Newcastle.

"That is the task ahead.

"It is a difficult one, but it is one that with the right way about us, I think we can do.

"We have not got the positive result but I got attitude, desire and a performance as well.

"We have seen what this [Chelsea] team is capable of here against Real Madrid, but we limited that.

"Overall, at times their quality came through in two goals, which was sloppy from us, but I am proud of my team.

"In certain moments, we just fell a little bit short."




https://www.themag.co.uk/2021/05/fulham-defiant-that-they-can-still-catch-newcastle-united-despite-latest-setback/

WhiteJC

Scott Parker refusing to write Fulham off despite Chelsea loss deepening the drop gloom

Scott Parker is adamant Fulham can still stay up despite losing 2-0 against Chelsea on Saturday. The result leaves the Whites 18th – nine points off safety with four games remaining.

Parker told Fulham's club website: "We didn't get a positive result, but we had desire, a good attitude and we performed well.

"We came here against a side, who played against Real Madrid in midweek, that's what this team is capable of.

"I'm nothing but proud of my team. We came to Stamford Bridge and put our stamp on it. The last few weeks I've been disappointed with the way we've played, at times I felt we didn't look a real threat but today we had every bit of that.

"It was a poor first goal [to concede] a long ball, 50-60 yards that did us with no real pressure. I decided to go at them today and put pressure on them. I didn't want to come here, sit back and have a long afternoon suffering. But yes it's fair to say the first goal was a poor one.

"In saying that, we did have good chances, one in the first half I remember their keeper pulled off a very good save. My team were on the front foot, they were aggressive, showed quality but just fell short.

"I didn't want to change too much too quickly. The goals came at a really bad time for us, especially the second. I always felt we were in the game, we had energy, we had a real bravery about us in the way we played and as always people sitting from afar looking in, it's very easy to look at it and think they could do this, they could do that.

"We need four wins, it can be done. Perform like that against a team who are a very good side. If we perform like we did today, I believe [we can stay up] we have to win four games, so can we go and win four games, we'll soon find out.

"What I do know is, if we can keep the level of the performance like today, we have a chance of beating Burnley, we have a chance of beating Southampton, we have a chance of beating Man Utd and then Newcastle. That's the task ahead, it's a difficult one, of course it is, but it's one if we go the right way about it, we can do it.

"This is the challenge of the Premier League for a team like us and I understand the numbers and I understand the way everyone may see it but anyone watching that game will see a team that was dynamic and will see a team that was trying to win the game.

"We need to try and control the game with the ball and we also need to understand it's not just a possession game and we had that balance today.

"While everyone will be laughing at their screens listening to me talk and think that I'm in cuckoo land. Maybe I am, but until that curtain comes down, let's see up until that point."



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/scott-parker-refusing-to-write-fulham-off-despite-chelsea-loss-deepening-the-drop-gloom/