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Thursday Fulham Stuff - 16/09/21...

Started by WhiteJC, September 15, 2021, 02:30:08 PM

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WhiteJC

Results


Wednesday
Birmingham
1-4
Fulham
Bristol City
1-1
Luton
Coventry
1-0
Cardiff
Forest
0-2
M'borough
Stoke
1-1
Barnsley
Swansea
0-0
Millwall

WhiteJC

#1
Birmingham City 1-4 Fulham


Denis Odoi had not scored a league goal for Fulham since hitting the winner in the Championship play-off semi-final win over Derby in May 2018

Marco Silva's Fulham beat Birmingham City comfortably at St Andrew's to return to the top of the Championship.

The Cottagers were on their way from the moment defender Denis Odoi headed home Harry Wilson's right-wing corner on 10 minutes.

Aleksandar Mitrovic then drilled home a 44th-minute penalty after Nathaniel Chalobah - their deadline-day signing from Watford - got bundled over in the box by Harlee Dean.

Fulham debutant Chalobah was also involved in Fulham's third with a superb pass for Wilson to run on and score on 54 minutes.

Jean Michael Seri then set up a second for Mitrovic on 83 minutes - the Serb's sixth goal of the season.

His brace takes him to within one goal of Reading's John Swift as Championship top scorer this season.

Blues did pull one back on 87 minutes when second-half substitute Troy Deeney scored his first goal for Blues - at the Tilton End too - from the penalty spot, after he had been dragged back by Odoi.

In stoppage time, Deeney had another header saved and Gary Gardner hit the bar.

But, despite that late rally from Lee Bowyer's men, Deeney's goal was scant consolation for Blues, who had previously only conceded three goals in six games this season, on a night when victory could have lifted them third.

Blues, who drop to 10th after only their second defeat of the season, now go to 23rd-placed Peterborough this Saturday, when Fulham host Reading.


Aleksandar Mitrovic has netted in all but two of Fulham's seven Championship matches this term

Birmingham City striker Troy Deeney told BBC Radio WM:
"Hopefully this is just a bump in the road. This is the best team we're going to play in this league by far. We had chances but they were just a bit better with their quality and calmness in the final third.

"You can turn things round really quickly in the Championship. You haven't got a week to sulk like you have in the Premier League.

"The majority of the fans stayed and that was a huge positive for us. And it was nice to get off the mark. You don't want to be waiting five or six games for your first goal.

"The last game I started was for Watford here against Coventry in January. That's two games now coming off the bench and I'm only going to get better the more I play."

Blues boss Lee Bowyer:
"Troy brings a threat, whether he's going to start or from the bench. He deserved his goal.

"It was a proud moment. He'll go home happy that he's done something that he's wanted to do from a young age."

Fulham boss Marco Silva:
"I know Mitrovic. He's a very important player for us, not just because he scores goals. The way we use him to link our game and to break the pressure and find our midfielders around him.

"He scored from the penalty in the first half and the second goal he scored was really important after 83 minutes, seeing him press the central defender to win the ball.

"I was really pleased to see that, showing to me that he's really involved in the team, not just scoring goals but pressing the opposition and all his work without the ball.

"Nathaniel Chalobah will be a really important player for us. He was a free and is a fantastic signing for us. A fantastic opportunity, the quality he has."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58483586

WhiteJC

#2
Post-Birmingham Press Conference

Speaking to the press after Wednesday night's 4-1 victory over Birmingham, Marco Silva was delighted with the way his squad bounced back from the defeat at Blackpool.

"It was a great win, a very good answer after the bad result last Saturday," he said. "We were brave, since the first minutes of the game, we created chances within the plan that we had and what we prepared for during the game.  We won the game clearly, a good set piece for the first one. After we scored the second, we had more and more chances as well.

"We knew that we must be brave against them, the way they play, set pieces they are really strong in that moment. The long throws into the box as well. When we play in our way, scoring four goals away from home again, with more chances to score, it's a good sign for us and a good win."

Aleksandar Mitrović bagged a brace, and the boss praised the Serb's contribution to the team performance.

"I know Mitrović, I think all of us know, he's an important player for us," he admitted. "Not just because he scores goals, the way we want to play, the way we use him to link our game. He is a really important player for us.

"He scored from the penalty in the first half, the second goal he scored is very important, almost 85 minutes in, to show to me that he is really involved in the team, not just to score goals, but pressing the opponents and doing his work without the ball."

Harry Wilson returned to the side after missing the trip to Blackpool and capped a lively performance with a goal. Speaking on the Welshman's display, Silva admitted he was keen to sign him.

"It is because of this we signed him," he confessed. "I came, and I asked our board to sign him, he was the first player we spoke about. He is showing his quality, he is enjoying playing for us. He is happy, a very good boy, a very good professional."

Nathaniel Chalobah made his first appearance in a Fulham shirt. Silva heaped praise on a stellar debut for the former Watford man.

"He will be really important for us. He is a player I know very well, he signed with Watford when I was at that Club. We had a chance to have Chalobah with us as a free player. Having a player with his quality, what he can add to our squad, it was a fantastic moment for us to sign him.

"He knew many of his teammates, he looks happy in our football club. He is not in the conditions to play 60 minutes in the pace and intensity I want, but he must play the 90! He finished the game really tired. He will be a player that will improve more and more. I am really pleased and happy to have him with us."

The comprehensive win sees Fulham return to the top of the Championship table and the Head Coach is clearly pleased with the spirit his group of players are showing.

"As a team we are creating something really strong between us, our dressing room as well, everyone is involved, the players that were here, the players that came in, some players trained today this morning in the training ground.

"Everyone is involved, it will be a big marathon for us, it will be a big fight to the end. Together we can be successful at the end of the season."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/september/Post-Birmingham-Press-Conference/


WhiteJC

Fulham Football Club announce plans to repair Craven Cottage's Johnny Haynes Stand

Fulham Football Club is planning to replace the cladding on one of its stands due to safety concerns.

The club aims to revamp the Johnny Haynes Stand at Craven Cottage as parts of it are crumbling with holes that have been covered up with paint and tape.

Engineers inspected the cladding in June and concluded it needed to be replaced to prevent further damage from severe weather.

The Johnny Haynes Stand, previously called the Stevenage Road Stand, is a Grade-II listed building and was built in 1905.

It was designed by Scottish architect Archibald Leitch, who was famous for designing British football stadiums, including stands for Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Fulham have submitted plans to replace the existing cladding panels at either end of the stand to Hammersmith and Fulham council.

The club also plans to install a first aid unit next to the accessible toilet at the Hammersmith End of the stand.

A report by planning and development consultants Lichfields said: "In its current state, there is evidence of holes and missing parts which have temporarily been covered with tape and painted over.

"The metal sheets have started to rust and crumble, resulting in an overall tired and poor quality appearance.

"Several panels have become loose due to corrosion around the fixing positions, posing a safety hazard."

A report by architects Rathbone Miller Ltd said the existing cladding on the Johnny Haynes Stand had deteriorated, and parts of it had corroded, particularly around fixings, which had caused panels to loosen.

The report said re-cladding the stand will prevent it deteriorating further, enhance its appearance and maintain its historic features.

The stand was fitted with a new metal roof in 2012 and a new seating deck was installed in 2004.

According to Rathbone Miller, the materials and coatings that will be used to re-clad the stand do not present a risk of fire.

Its report says fire protection measures will be in place throughout the work and the stand is fitted with automatic sprinklers and a fire detection system.

The consultation on the plans ends on October 6.

Work is also ongoing on the new £80 million Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage, which will contain 8,650 seats.



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/fulham-football-club-announce-plans-to-repair-craven-cottages-johnny-haynes-stand/

WhiteJC

Fulham stand with taped up holes has started to 'rust and crumble'

The football club plans to replace cladding over safety fears

Fulham football club plans to replace cladding and metal sheets that have started to "rust and crumble" on one of its stadium's stands.

The club aims to revamp the Johnny Haynes Stand at Craven Cottage as parts of it are crumbling. Holes have reportedly been covered up with paint and tape.

Engineers inspected the cladding in June 2021 and found it needed to be replaced to prevent further damage from severe weather.

The Johnny Haynes Stand, previously called the Stevenage Road Stand, is a Grade-II listed structure and was built in 1905.

It was designed by Scottish architect Archibald Leitch, who was famous for designing British football stadiums, including stands for Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Fulham has submitted plans to replace the existing cladding panels at both ends of the stand to Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

It also plans to install a first aid unit next to the accessible toilet at the stadium's Hammersmith End.

A report by planning and development consultants Lichfields said: "In its current state, there is evidence of holes and missing parts which have temporarily been covered with tape and painted over.

"The metal sheets have started to rust and crumble resulting in an overall tired and poor quality appearance.

"Several panels have become loose due to corrosion around the fixing positions, posing a safety hazard."



https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/fulham-stand-taped-up-holes-21576873

WhiteJC

Fulham top after thumping win at Birmingham

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice as Fulham thrashed Birmingham to go top of the Championship in fine style.

Denis Odoi and Harry Wilson also netted on a great night for the Whites at St Andrew's, where Troy Deeney got a late consolation for the hosts with a penalty.

Odoi opened the scoring with a header from Wilson's cross.

And Mitrovic doubled the lead with a penalty shortly before half-time after Nathaniel Chalobah was brought down by Ivan Sunjic.

Recent signing Chalobah, making his Fulham debut, was also involved in the third goal, slicing the Blues defence open with a through-ball to Wilson, who slotted home.

Mitrovic's second goal of the night and sixth of the season was a firm strike from just inside the penalty area after being teed up by Ivan Cavaleiro.

Fulham: Gazzaniga, Odoi, Tosin, Ream, Bryan, Seri, Reed (Quina 65), Chalobah, Wilson (Mawson 78), Mitrovic, De Cordova-Reid (Cavaleiro
74).



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-top-after-thumping-win-at-birmingham


WhiteJC

Four-star Fulham storm back to the summit

Marco Silva wanted a reaction after Fulham's meek capitulation at Blackpool on Saturday – and his side delivered in the Midlands this evening. St. Andrew's might not be as intimidating as usual, owing to botched stadium repairs and ownership issues, but Lee Bowyer's side are certainly no pushover on the pitch. Blues sat just outside the play-off places at kick off and asked plenty of questions in an even first half, but Fulham proved clinical on the counter attack and ruthlessly took their chances to head back to the top of the Championship.

Silva's belated embrace of one of the division's strongest squads saw four changes from the Bloomfield Road debacle. Joe Bryan made his first start of the season at left back, whilst Nathaniel Chalobah and Harrison Reed lined up alongside Jean-Michael Seri to make a central midfield three with Harry Wilson returning on his right wing after overcoming the dizzy spells that prompted an early end to his international duty. The Welsh winger has been a revelation since signing from Liverpool in the summer and might have scored twice before half-time. He made amends by whipping in a devilish corner that Denis Odoi glanced gloriously into the far corner after rising majestically at the near post, with Chalobah blocking off Jeremie Bela effectively.

Chalobah had an excellent debut in the heart of the midfield, driving forward with purpose when space opened up in front of him. He produced an outrageous turn to accelerate into space inside the Birmingham box just before the break, with Harlee Dean reduced to hauling the England international down in desperation. Aleksandar Mitrovic made no mistake from the spot, drilling his penalty low into the bottom corner to double Fulham's lead. That might have been harsh on the home side, who attacked with energy, but struggled to create clear chances. Tosin Adarabioyo had a terrific first half, making twelve clearances on his own. Bela extended Gazzaniga with a 25-yard free kick and, after the goalkeeper had galloped outside of his area, Lukas Jutkiewicz fired wide.

But Fulham might have been further in front after Wilson spurned a couple of good chances before the break and then was denied a free-kick on the edge of the box after clearly being clipped by Marc Roberts having latched onto a terrific kick from Gazzaniga. The Welshman, such a pivotal figure in Silva's side in the early weeks of his reign, was denied by Matija Sarkic after a one-two with Joe Bryan and the goalkeeper easily gathered an effort off his weaker foot after Reed's rampaging right down the right allowed Mitrovic to tee him up.

Wilson did get his goal ten minutes after the interval and it came courtesy of the kind of classical counter-attack that this side is set up for. Chalobah threaded a glorious pass through the retreating Birmingham defence to release Wilson down the right and, having run from the halfway line, the winger slotted an assured finish past Sarkic. Birmingham didn't fold and responded with their best spell of the game – Gazzaniga saving smartly from Jutkiewicz and substitute Troy Deeney in quick succession before Harlee Dean headed over from a corner.

There was a worrying moment midway through the second period when Reed limped off after going down in the Fulham penalty area and his exit temporarily loosened the visitors' foothold in midfield. Gazzaniga was called upon to claw away a trademark Jutkiewicz header and then used his feet to deny Deeney a first goal for his boyhood club after a free-kick dropped invitingly for the former Watford forward five yards out.

Wilson was withdrawn – presumably with Fulham's hectic autumn schedule in mind – but Mitrovic fashioned his second of the evening to emphasise just how dangerous the Whites can be in attack. The Serbian striker stole possession from Roberts on the halfway line and worked a one-two at pace with Seri before burying sixth of the season with a modicum of fuss. Fulham's clean sheet was ruined when Deeney was brought down by a combination of Odoi and Domingos Quina and the veteran fired in emphatically from the spot. Denney was denied a second in stoppage time when Gazzaniga gathered his attempted chip, before Gary Gardner rattled the crossbar with a header, but the gulf in class had been clearly established long ago.

BIRMINGHAM CITY (3-4-1-2): Sarkic; Roberts, Dean, Pedersen, Colin, Bela (Gardner 60), Woods, Sunjic; Chong (Aneke 75); Jutkiewicz, Hogan (Deeney 53). Subs (not used): Trueman, Friend, Sanderson, McGree.

BOOKED: Bela, Chong.

GOAL: Deeney (pen 87).

FULHAM (4-3-3): Gazzaniga; Odoi, Bryan, Adarabioyo, Ream; Reed (Quina 65), Chalobah, Seri; Wilson (Mawson 78), Decordova-Reid (Cavaleiro 74), Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Rodak, Robinson, Kebano, Muniz.

BOOKED: Seri.

GOALS: Odoi (10), Mitrovic (pen 44, 83), Wilson (54).

REFEREE: David Webb (Lancashire).

ATTENDANCE: 14,562.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/four-star-fulham-storm-back-to-the-summit/

WhiteJC


Birmingham 1-4 Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic scores twice as Cottagers march to victory

Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Birmingham and Fulham at St Andrew's as goals from Denis Odoi, Aleksandar Mitrovic (two) and Harry Wilson secured a comfortable win. Troy Deeney scored first Blues goal with consolation penalty

Fulham returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Birmingham at St Andrew's.

Marco Silva's side always looked in charge of the contest and two goals in each half backed up a dominant display.

Denis Odoi ended a three-year wait for a league goal as his 10th-minute header put the visiting team ahead, with Aleksandar Mitrovic's 44th-minute penalty doubling Fulham's advantage.

Impressive debutant Nathaniel Chalobah won the spot-kick, and the deadline-day signing from Watford played a key role in the game's third goal.

The 26-year-old former Chelsea youngster cut open the Blues defence with a delightful pass which was finished off in equally clinical style by Harry Wilson in the 54th minute.

Wilson's killer strike arrived just one minute after the introduction of Troy Deeney, and it was always going to be a mountainous task for the hosts to come back after that.

Mitrovic scored his second goal of the match after 83 minutes before Deeney opened his Birmingham account from the penalty spot with only three minutes remaining.

Wilson's corner from the right found the head of Odoi, the Belgian right-back rising high above the Blues defence to direct a powerful header into the bottom left corner for the game's first goal.

Fulham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga was called into serious action for the first time midway through the opening period from Jeremie Bela's free-kick, the Argentine goalkeeper comfortably collecting the shot down to his left.

Former Liverpool forward Wilson had two sights of goal in the space of as many minutes late in the first half - a shot from the left of the box blocked by Kristian Pedersen and a 20-yard half-volley saved low down by Matija Sarkic.

With half-time looming, Silva's men doubled their advantage after Harlee Dean dragged back Chalobah, Mitrovic planting his spot-kick into the bottom left corner.

Wilson, who scored a hat-trick for loan club Cardiff on his last outing at St Andrew's, slotted past Sarkic to make it 3-0.

Deeney's arrival on the pitch had been given a triumphant ovation by the Birmingham supporters and he had chances to score before his late penalty, seeing one header tipped over by Gazzaniga and another close-range effort kept out by the keeper's leg.

Lukas Jutkiewicz was also denied by a great Gazzaniga clawed stop before Mitrovic completed his double following a neat one-two with Jean Michael Seri.

Odoi was then penalised for dragging back Deeney, and Birmingham's new striker crashed his penalty straight down the middle of the goal.

In stoppage-time, Deeney had another header saved and Gary Gardner hit the crossbar as Lee Bowyer's men mounted a late rally, but Fulham had already got the points sealed up.

What the managers said...
Birmingham's Lee Bowyer: "It was slightly harsh. If you were watching it as a neutral on the side I would like to think you would think that scoreline was a little bit harsh.

"Taking the goals away I think we were just as good as them for the first 20 minutes - before they scored we were on the front foot, looked like causing them more problems, getting into great areas, winning the ball back in good areas - a little bit of quality lacked in the final third for us and I think that was just the difference on the night."

Fulham's Marco Silva: "It was a great win. A very good answer after the bad result on Saturday. We were brave from the first minute. We created chances within our plan. We knew they'd press us high, and we knew how to break that pressure and cause problems behind their wing-backs.

"We knew that we must brave against them and the way they play. They are really strong at set pieces, all the throws to our box as well. We were brave and solid."



https://www.skysports.com/football/birmingham-city-vs-fulham/report/447416

WhiteJC

Result: Fulham go top with comfortable win over Birmingham

Fulham returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Birmingham at St Andrew's.

Marco Silva's side always looked in charge of the contest and two goals in each half backed up a dominant display.

Denis Odoi ended a three-year wait for a league goal as his 10th-minute header put the visiting team ahead, with Aleksandar Mitrovic's 44th-minute penalty doubling Fulham's advantage.

Impressive debutant Nathaniel Chalobah won the spot-kick, and the deadline-day signing from Watford played a key role in the game's third goal.

The 26-year-old former Chelsea youngster cut open the Blues defence with a delightful pass which was finished off in equally clinical style by Harry Wilson in the 54th minute.

Wilson's killer strike arrived just one minute after the introduction of Troy Deeney, and it was always going to be a mountainous task for the hosts to come back after that.

Mitrovic scored his second goal of the match after 83 minutes before Deeney opened his Birmingham account from the penalty spot with only three minutes remaining.

Wilson's corner from the right found the head of Odoi, the Belgian right-back rising high above the Blues defence to direct a powerful header into the bottom left corner for the game's first goal.

Fulham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga was called into serious action for the first time midway through the opening period from Jeremie Bela's free-kick, the Argentinian goalkeeper comfortably collecting the shot down to his left.

Former Liverpool forward Wilson had two sights of goal in the space of as many minutes late in the first-half – a shot from the left of the box blocked by Kristian Pedersen and a 20-yard half-volley saved low down by Matija Sarkic.

With half-time looming, Silva's men doubled their advantage after Harlee Dean dragged back Chalobah, Mitrovic planting his spot-kick into the bottom left corner.

Wilson, who scored a hat-trick for loan club Cardiff on his last outing at St Andrew's, slotted past Sarkic to make it 3-0.

Deeney's arrival on the pitch had been given a triumphant ovation by the Birmingham supporters and he had chances to score before his late penalty, seeing one header tipped over by Gazzaniga and another close-range effort kept out by the keeper's leg.

Lukas Jutkiewicz was also denied by a great Gazzaniga clawed stop before Mitrovic completed his brace following a neat one-two with Jean Michael Seri.

Fulham's opening goalscorer Odoi turned from hero to villain, dragging back Deeney, and Birmingham's new striker crashed his penalty straight down the middle of the goal.

In stoppage-time, Deeney had another header saved and Gary Gardner hit the crossbar as Lee Bowyer's men mounted a late rally, but Fulham had already got the points sealed up.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/birmingham-city/result/result-fulham-go-top-with-comfortable-win-over-birmingham_463875.html?newsnow


WhiteJC

'We have been penalised' - Lee Bowyer reacts as Birmingham City lose to Fulham

Two goals in each half saw Fulham ease to the top of the Championship at St Andrew's

Lee Bowyer felt the 4-1 scoreline in Birmingham City defeat to Fulham did not fully reflect his team's part in an entertaining Championship encounter.

Blues ' head coach believes his side deserved more than Troy Deeney's penalty - and insisted that Denis Odoi's opener should not have been allowed.

He also praised his players' efforts as they created numerous chances and even hit the crossbar with the final action of the game.

"It was slightly harsh," Bowyer said. "If you were watching it as a neutral on the side I would like to think you would think that scoreline was a little bit harsh.

"The first 45 minutes my group of lads never really did much wrong. They scored from a set piece which should have been cancelled out, Bela gets fouled off the ball and the man he was marking goes and scores.

"It's a routine they have done but it's a foul, we have been penalised for that this season. Then they get that one and then obviously the penalty

"Taking the goals away I think we were just as good as them for the first 20 minutes – before they scored we were on the front foot, looked like causing them more problems, getting into great areas, winning the ball back in good areas – a little bit of quality lacked in the final third for us and I think that was just the difference on the night.

"They were more clinical. More quality that what we had in the final third but my players' work rate, hunger, passion, fight, I can't fault them.

"They kept going to the end. We could easily have just rolled over but they kept going and going and creating chance after chance in that second half. In the last 20 minutes I don't know how many chances we had.

"We hit the woodwork, the 'keeper made 2-3 great saves. It could have been a 4-4 game I think. You could just tell the little bit of difference in quality in that final third. But there are a lot of positives to take from tonight."

Bowyer insisted he was right to keep his wing backs pushed upfield, even though it put pressure on his three-man defence against a team with attackers of the quality of Harry Wilson and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

"Yes because if you just sit back against a team like Fulham you are going to lose anyway. If you just let them play and move the ball they are going to hurt you and they are going to win the game.

"You might as well try and win the ball back high and try and win the game ourselves. On another day we might have done."



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/we-been-penalised-lee-bowyer-21583484

WhiteJC

Chalobah chuffed with Fulham debut

Nathaniel Chalobah was delighted to make his Fulham debut tonight – but insisted helping the Whites get back to winning ways at Birmingham was most important.

The England international, who joined from Watford on a free transfer at the end of the summer transfer window, slotted in seamlessly alongside Jean Michael Seri and Harrison Reed in a rejigged central midfield and put in a composed display as Marco Silva's side bounced back from the weekend disappointment at Blackpool. Onomah told FFCTV:

"It wasn't bad. I'm just buzzing we got the win, especially after the last game. It's good to put things right and get the result today. I felt okay. It's probably my first game in a long time. I've got a good group of boys around me who have helped me settle in quite quickly. The performance we did out there today was pretty impressive because Birmingham aren't an easy side."

Chalobah was modest about his role in Fulham's crucial third goal – when his glorious through ball released Harry Wilson to put the game beyond Lee Bowyer's men.

"I try to go forward as much as I can. It depends on the point in the game at times – the game was quite open with the runs we were making and they were going man-to-man, so the space was always going to be in behind. I've seen clips of Harry before and I know he likes making that run inside. The moment Reidy had it, I already saw the image in my head and I was screaming at him just to give me the ball so I could play him and luckily he gave it to me at the right time.

The central midfielder insisted Fulham's strength in depth in the engine room will be a huge asset going forward and ensures that nobody can afford to rest on their laurels.

"It's always important to have competition because people will always relax and think they are going to play. The competition is there, but we also stick together and driving each other every week so we can go out there and give performances like that. The best example of that was Alfie Mawson coming on and making a last ditch header right at the end. We've got to be together and, at the minute, we're showing that."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/chalobah-chuffed-with-fulham-debut/

WhiteJC

Silva salutes 'brave' Fulham

Marco Silva was impressed with the commanding manner of Fulham's response to their first defeat of the season after the Whites returned to the top of the table by winning 4-1 at Birmingham City this evening.

Silva's side were deservedly beaten by newly-promoted Blackpool at the weekend and the Portuguese head coach was pleased that his side put that setback behind them so emphatically at St. Andrew's. Denis Odoi's early header was followed by a brace from Aleksandar Mitrovic and a fine strike by Harry Wilson as in-form Birmingham were swept aside.

Silva told FFCTV after the final whistle:

"It was really important to bounce back and get back on the right track again. It was a big response from our players after the result against Blackpool. We expressed ourselves on the pitch and that is something that I want to see. The commitment and the attitude. We knew we had to be really brave to come here and match them. We controlled well these moments and we controlled Chong well. We did really well.

Fulham made four changes following the defeat at Blackpool and Silva was impressed with the performance of the players he brought in.

"We were solid and scoring four goals away from home was a really good sign for us. Joe is more than ready to play if I decide. It is a good battle between him and Robinson. Chalobah is not in his best physical condition, but I know him really well. He will add something really important because he has the character and the personality as well to manage the game, to play forward.

Harry Wilson is not new for us. Unfortunately, he hasn't played many games in a row. I hope he can play week in, week out to be really important for us. He's a top class player in my opinion. He's a happy player, he's happy to be at Fulham Football Club and that's really important to me.

After a bad result, we have to show the character and the personality to show something. Playing away against Birmingham is really tough, but we did it. We will analyse this game tomorrow, but we got the three points. We have a few days to prepare for another tough game against Reading."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/silva-salutes-brave-fulham/


WhiteJC

Marco Silva hails two-goal Aleksandar Mitrovic as Fulham down Birmingham

Marco Silva hailed Aleksandar Mitrovic's all-round contribution to his team after the Serbian's brace helped Fulham to an impressive 4-1 win at Birmingham.

Mitrovic took his seasonal tally to six, taking him up to second in the Sky Bet Championship scoring charts.

But his manager was eager to stress that there is a lot more to the striker's game than putting the ball in the net.

"I know Mitrovic and he's a very important player for us, not just because he scores goals. The way we use him to link our game and to break the pressure and find our midfielders around him," said Silva.

"He scored from the penalty in the first half and the second goal he scored was really important after 83 minutes, seeing him press the central defender to win the ball.

"I was really pleased to see that, showing to me that he's really involved in the team, not just scoring goals but pressing the opposition and all his work without the ball."

Nathaniel Chalobah made his debut for Fulham following his deadline-day move from Watford and the midfielder won the penalty and set up the third goal for Harry Wilson.

"He will be a really important player for us. Chalobah was a free and he is a fantastic signing for us and a fantastic opportunity, the quality he has," said Silva.

The result sent Fulham back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table, with Denis Odoi's 10th-minute header opening the scoring and Mitrovic's 44th-minute penalty doubling Fulham's advantage.

Birmingham captain Harlee Dean's push on Chalobah won the spot-kick and then his second-half pass set up Wilson for the night's third goal.

Mitrovic added his second after a nice one-two with Jean Michael Seri before Troy Deeney's late consolation.

Birmingham manager Lee Bowyer felt the "difference in quality in the final third" was the decisive factor as his side fell to a first league defeat in four outings.

"Fulham were more clinical and had more quality than us in the final third, but I can't fault my players for their work-rate, hunger, passion and fight. They kept going to the end when they could have easily rolled over," said the Blues boss.

"We kept going and going and created chance after chance in the second half. It could have been a 4-4 game, I think. We lost 4-1 at home and just got clapped off by our own fans, so our fans recognise that we don't deserve that result."

Boyhood Blues fan Deeney scored his first Birmingham goal and went close on several other occasions from open play, despite only playing the final 37 minutes as a substitute.

"Troy deserved his goal. It was a proud moment and he'll go home happy that he's done something that he's wanted to do from a young age," said Bowyer.

"He brings a threat, whether he's going start or from the bench."



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/birmingham-city/news/marco-silva-hails-two-goal-aleksandar-mitrovic-as-fulham-down-birmingham_463888.html?newsnow

WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham Bounce Back With Brummie Bashing

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

This is our initial reaction show of Fulham's 4-1 victory against Birmingham City.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2021/9/15/22676485/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-bounce-back-with-brummie-bashing

Bill2

Have got to laugh at Bowyer saying it was a foul in the build up to our 1st. Their player just run into Tosin who tried to stop him falling. What glasses was he wearing, never a foul. If it was given you can imagine the future tactics, just run into a player and fall over irrespective of the fact you had zero chance of getting the ball.