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Sunday Fulham Stuff - 19/09/21...

Started by WhiteJC, September 18, 2021, 12:57:18 PM

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WhiteJC

Results


Saturday
Hull
1-3
Sheff Utd
Barnsley
0-0
Rovers
Cardiff
0-1
Bournemouth
Derby
2-1
Stoke
Fulham
1-2
Reading
Huddersfield
0-2
Nottingham
Luton
3-3
Swansea
Middlesborough
1-2
Blackpool
Millwall
1-1
Coventry
Peterborough
3-0
Birmingham
Preston NE
1-1
West Brom
QPR
1-2
Bristol City

WhiteJC

#1
Fulham 1-2 Reading


Ovie Ejaria's curling strike was only the sixth goal Fulham have conceded this season

A goal in each half from Ovie Ejaria gave Reading a surprise victory at Fulham, who dropped off the top of the Championship table.

Former Liverpool midfielder Ejaria put the Royals in front with a fine curling strike into the top right corner.

The 23-year-old then doubled Reading's lead after the break with a cool turn and finish from Alen Halilovic's clever chipped pass into the box.

Fulham dominated possession throughout and pulled a late goal back through substitute Rodrigo Muniz's header, but Reading held on.

Bournemouth, who won away at Cardiff, moved two points clear at the top with Fulham falling to second.

Fulham will wonder how they failed to take anything from an entertaining game in which they had 25 shots to Reading's eight with Bobby Decordova-Reid and Aleksandar Mitrovic also hitting the post and crossbar.

After Brazilian Muniz scored his first goal for the west London side, fellow substitute Josh Onomah thought he had earned a point in injury-time but his close-range shot was superbly saved by Luke Southwood.

Veljko Paunovic's Reading had struggled for form at the start of the campaign, picking up just four points from their first six matches.

But they have won back-to-back matches with impressive displays against Peterborough in midweek and now at Craven Cottage.

Their first goal was wonderfully executed by Ejaria as the Championship's top scorer John Swift found him just inside the box and he unleashed an unstoppable effort past Paulo Gazzaniga.

Ejaria then showed excellent control and composure to slot past Gazzaniga early in the second half.

Muniz's goal from Mitrovic's flick-on means Reading are still to keep a clean sheet this season but it failed to take the gloss off an excellent win.

Fulham manager Marco Silva told BBC Radio London:
"It's a disappointing afternoon for us, so many chances were created I think we'd be more clinical.

"In this competition if you are not clinical, you have to always keep your balance and not give the chance to them to try to counter attack, because they have quality.

"I think until half-time we created enough chances to score more than one goal and to change the score. Unfortunately, second half, I told our players that we try to go back and score and try to score goals but in the meantime you cannot concede one more because you have to be there in the game.

"Unfortunately, we conceded a goal with one moment that we made some mistakes. At this level we can't and they scored, but the commitment, the desire, the attitude to change things was on the pitch."

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"I believe that today, what I felt was exactly what we needed. The connection between lions on the field and lions in the stands. It's a huge fusion that we needed and it can only happen organically and it happened today.

"How we played on the field, what we showed, what was our message on the field, it was team, all together, executing our game plan.

"I believe fantastic execution in attack, grit and determination everything was there. So it's a special day, great day from that point of view too and I'm very grateful to our fans for helping us today."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58525107

WhiteJC

#2
Marco's Post-Reading press conference

Marco Silva rued his Fulham side's profligacy as his team fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Reading.

"The stats are there, it's clear for everyone who saw the game," he said. "But the result is there as well. In football you can have a lot of possession, you can create so many chances if you're not clinical enough, it can happen.

"We scored once, but we conceded two goals. The first was a counterattack, but we can't concede the second in that way."

Marco praised his side's attitude despite the defeat but rued a couple of defensive lapses and said his side needed to have more of a killer instinct whilst they were on top during the opening exchanges of the game.

"The commitment, the desire, the attitude to chance the things were there. The basics we cannot negotiate was there on the pitch.

"The way we started the game, the way we started creating chances with being more clinical with the last decision, with a little more quality, this is a game we could've decided in the first 15 minutes.

"The chances we have with Bobby and more chances we created before they scored, we can be ahead in the score and everything will be different, that is football we were not clinical enough. A great afternoon for their goalkeeper as well.

"I said at half time, I told our players we would change the score if we don't give them a chance to score more goals because I knew that will happen, it is important that we don't lose the balance, the focus, don't make mistakes. If we score, the game can change straight away for us, but unfortunately, we conceded another goal."

A bright spot from the game was Rodrigo Muniz scoring on his home debut, commenting on the Brazilian's performance Silva said it was an important milestone for the forward.

"It's important for him, he has the capacity to score, I don't have any doubts about it. He needs more time. I didn't make a change at half-time because I expected a strong reaction after the way we finished the first half.

"We prepared a situation with Rodrigo playing with two strikers up front," Silva continued.

"He did what he normally does. We need the team to create a little more out wide for him because he's really strong there.

"He had a strong knock in the last 10 minutes, he couldn't run, but we had to keep him on the pitch because we didn't have any more changes. He's in pain now, but we have to wait and check."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/september/Marco-s-Post-Reading-press conference/


WhiteJC

Leeds United heading back to scene of memorable recent victories that bucked London trend
Leeds United now have happy recent memories of Fulham away.

Having gone 16 games without a victory in the capital, United finally ended their London curse with a 2-1 triumph at Craven Cottage last March.

Six months later, the Whites will be back at the same venue on Tuesday evening for their third round EFL Cup clash.

After last season's relegation, the Cottagers are now a Championship outfit and the two clubs had ten meetings in the second tier between 2014 and 2020.

Five clashes at Craven Cottage produced two home wins and two draws but also a memorable 3-0 success for Neil Redfearn's Whites back in March 2015 in which Sam Byram was the star of the show.

Fulham had been relegated the previous season after finishing second bottom in the Premier League whereas United were in their fifth consecutive season in the country's second tier.

United had finished the 2013-14 campaign in 15th place as part of a season which saw a change in ownership and the start of the Massimo Cellino era.

The Whites finished the season with Brian McDermott in charge but the baton was soon passed to Dave Hockaday and then Darko Milanic as Cellino 'Il mangia-allenatori' - the manager eater - quickly began hiring and firing.

But by March 2015 Leeds were in a relative period of stability under caretaker boss Neil Redfearn whose side made it three wins from their last four games and seven victories from their last 12 fixtures with a 3-0 romp at Fulham.

Now under the care of Kit Symons, the Cottagers were on a desperate run and lined up sat fifth bottom following just one win in their last ten games, six of which had ended in defeat.

Nevertheless, Fulham went close to opening the scoring against the 14th-placed Whites through a corner which Marco Silvestri was forced to tip away from under his crossbar.

Leeds eventually cleared but only to Kostas Stafylidis who unleashed a rocket of a half volley that was flying into the bottom right corner until Silvestri tipped the ball wide.

Redfearn admitted after the game that Fulham were the better side in the first half and that he gave his men a rollicking at half-time.

But United went into the interval with a 1-0 lead after bagged the game's first goal five minutes before the interval.

The breakthrough arrived after stellar work from Gaetano Berardi who won the ball in the left hand corner and delivered a peach of a cross that was met by a towering header from Sam Byram to head home into the opposite corner.

The Whites took a one goal advantage into the interval and then doubled their lead with another header just three minutes after the break.

This time Alex Mowatt provided the delivery with an inviting corner that was met by Sol Bamba at the back post.

The defender slammed home a header to score what was his first goal for the club and immediately headed to celebrate in front of 4,000 delighted Whites fans behind the goal who were loving their evening at Craven Cottage.

Leeds were heading for a victory and just four minutes later Fulham's night took another turn for the worse as Stafylidis was sent off following two quickfire bookings.

The Whites were strolling to victory in the capital and Neil Redfearn's side bagged a third goal two minutes from time after more excellent play from Byram.

The right back cut in from the right flank and skinned Tim Hoogland before firing in a cross that was pushed away by 'keeper Marcus Bettinelli but only to Mirco Antenucci who fired a volley into the ground that then looped into the left corner of the net.

Leeds were flying, but the Whites then only bagged one more victory from their final eight games, five of which ended in defeat, and it was once again back to that familiar finishing position of 15th place.



https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/nostalgia/leeds-united-heading-back-to-scene-of-memorable-recent-victories-that-bucked-london-trend-3388166

WhiteJC

Fulham 1-2 Reading: FLW reports as Ejaria stardust seals three points for Royals

Two fine goals from Ovie Ejaria were enough to give Reading a 2-1 victory against Fulham on Saturday afternoon in the Sky Bet Championship.

Fulham actually had the earliest big chance of the game, with it falling to Bobby Decordova-Reid. The attacker was set through down the right by Nathaniel Chalobah and he did well to loft the ball over Royals stopper Luke Southwood, though he'd also clear the bar with his attempt.

Indeed, not that we'd have known at that point, but this would be a sign of things to come for the hosts in the main this afternoon, unfortunately for them.

Aleksandar Mitrovic robbed Tom Holmes and bore down on goal to only then drill wide soon after, with Reading then manufacturing chances of their own – though Junior Hoilett blazed his effort well over and Tom Dele-Bashiru could only fire at Paulo Gazzaniga from a tight angle.

Frustration soon gave way to jubilation, though, at least for the away side, with Ovie Ejaria bagging his first of the afternoon. Receiving the ball off of John Swift, he dipped onto his right foot just inside the box and whipped a finish across Gazzaniga into the far-right corner.

Indeed, it was a superb piece of quality from Ejaria – and not the last we'd get from him either today – with Fulham bemoaning an uncharacteristic lack of it in front of goal twice more before half-time as Decordova-Reid hit the post and Mitrovic hit the bar.

Fulham needed to respond after the break and threatened to do so minutes into the second half, with Ivan Cavaleiro seeing his first shot beaten away by Southwood before firing his second effort moments later just wide.

That only served to stir Reading into a bit of magic of their own at the other end, though, with Ejaria playing a fine one-two with Alen Halilovic, before bringing the aerial pass he got back down on the turn and then firing home for 2-0.

Certainly, the former Liverpool man was showing just why he was on the books with the Reds as a youngster here at the Cottage this afternoon, as he set the Royals on their way to a big three points.

For Fulham, the time was now to get on the attack and Rodrigo Muniz was thrown on by Marco Silva to go up top with Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The two would combine, too, but it would only, at least to start with, end in the latter firing over after Muniz's knockdown.

With five minutes to go, however, the pair would work together to finally find the back of the net for the Whites. Harry Wilson dug out a cross which Mitrovic nodded back across goal for Muniz to power a header home.

A lifeline at last for the Whites, but would it be enough?

It wouldn't.

The majority of Fulham's afternoon was frustrating for them, with them either finding Southwood, the frame of the goal or just not quite having the finishing touch when needed.

Reading, and Ejaria in particular, made the very most of their chances by contrast, and in some style too it must be said.

An eye-catching result for the Royals, then, and for Marco Silva and Fulham a second defeat in three matches in the Sky Bet Championship.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-1-2-reading-flw-reports-as-ejaria-stardust-seals-three-points-for-royals/

WhiteJC

Fulham lose top spot after surprise home defeat

Fulham were dislodged from the top of the Championship table after they fell to a surprise defeat at Craven Cottage.

Two fine goals by playmaker Ovie Ejaria earned the points for Reading, and although substitute Rodrigo Muniz scored late on, the Whites ultimately lacked incision in front of goal.

Fulham made a bright start with both Bobby Decordova-Reid and Aleksandar Mitrovic missing good opportunities. And despite enjoying the initiative, they were undone in the 18th minute by the Royals.

On a speedy counter-attack, Ejaria picked up possession from John Swift on the edge of the Whites' penalty area, before the midfielder curled a superbly accurate right-foot shot past Paulo Gazzaniga.

Fulham responded well, although Reid and Mitrovic once again passed up great chances to level, both from six yards out, the latter clipping the bar.

Marco Silva's men continued to work hard – but they paid for their profligacy when Ejaria netted a second for Reading in the 52nd minute.

From a superb, sweeping move which began down the left, Alen Halilovic eventually interchanged with Ejaria, who controlled the ball expertly under pressure from Tosin Adarabioyo, before slotting past Gazzaniga into the corner of the net.

Muniz finally pulled a goal back with five minutes left, heading home after Mitrovic set him up from Harry Wilson's right-wing cross.


Fulham: Gazzaniga, Robinson, Ream, Adarabioyo, Odoi (Onomah 70), Seri (Kebano 70), Chalobah, Cavaleiro, Reid (Muniz 54), Wilson, Mitrov



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-lose-top-spot-after-surprise-home-defeat


WhiteJC

Silva frustrated after surprise Fulham defeat

Marco Silva expressed his frustration after Fulham lost top spot in the Championship, losing 2-1 to Reading at Craven Cottage.

Two excellent goals – one in each half – from the Royals' impressive midfielder Ovie Ejaria were enough to take the points, despite a late Fulham onslaught, with substitute Rodrigo Muniz heading home with five minutes remaining.

The Whites are now second in the table, two points behind Bournemouth, who won at Cardiff City.

"It was clear for everyone who saw the game that we had so many chances, but with 25 attempts or so we conceded two goals. But the attitude and commitment from us was there," said the Fulham head coach.

"We want a bit more quality, and we were not clinical enough. What is most disappointing is the result after so many chances to score.

"You know they (Reading) are good on the ball and if you are not aggressive, they will cause problems. They scored twice because they have quality."

Silva insisted that there was no complacency from the Whites, who were facing a side badly affected by injuries.

"There was no problem with our attitude and focus," he added. "It is up to us to do our job well.

"I expected a strong reaction in the second half but unfortunately we made a mistake to concede the second goal."

Fulham now take on Leeds United at home on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-frustrated-after-surprise-fulham-defeat

WhiteJC

Ejaria double ends Reading's barren run

Here was a match that rather summed up the unpredictability of the Championship. Fulham, having battered Birmingham after a surprise defeat at Blackpool to return to the top of the table, were heavy favourites to beat Reading, especially given that the Royals hadn't won in ten away fixtures. The hosts dominated possession and created the clearer chances, but Velijko Panouvic's side established a clear established through two terrifically taken Ovie Ejaria goals and clung on for victory even after Rodrigo Muniz had ensured a frantic finale with four minutes left.

Reading were resolute, first weathering a strong spell of early Fulham pressure, and managing the game effectively after Ejaria had curled in a fabulous opener and extended the lead when he spun superbly into the area and squeezed a shot past Paulo Gazzaniga. They played with panache at times too, with some pretty passing that featured the in-form John Swift prominently, and this result will give further weight to the received wisdom that the Royals remain in something of a false position at present – hindered by one of the country's longest injury lists.

Academy graduate Luke Southwood kept his place in goal after impressing in the recent win over Peterborough and proved equal to almost everything Fulham threw at him. He improvised an early save at his near post when Denis Odoi's cross deflected off Michael Morrison and drifted dangerously goalwards and then scampered off his line to put Bobby Decordova-Reid under pressure as he latched onto a lovely through ball from Nathaniel Chalobah. The Fulham forward will feel he should have done better than scoop his finish over the bar – and perhaps it might have been a different game had Marco Silva's side gone in front.

Fulham continued to threaten with Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was largely well-marshalled by the visiting defence, lashing wide from the edge of the area but Reading were gradually finding their feet. Junior Hoilett blazed over from close range when a cross from Alen Halilovic fell at his feet and Tom Dele-Bashiru then shot straight at Gazzaniga after tricking his way past a posse of Fulham defenders. There were further warning sides for the home side when the Argentine goalkeeper pawed away Hoilett's shot after the Canadian forward had got a touch to a devilish free-kick from Swift.

The away side took the lead with a high-class counter attacking goal in the twentieth minute. Mitrovic lost the ball midway through the Reading half and Halilovic led the break, driving deep into Fulham territory before finding Swift in a central position. The former Chelsea midfielder committed the home defence before picking the perfect moment to play in Ejaria, who drifted into from the left and curled a magnificent finish into the top corner. That setback clearly discomforted the hosts, who might have fallen further behind had Swift's free-kick from just outside the box dropped the other side of the post.

Fulham did fashion a prolonged period of pressure before the break. Decordova-Reid sent a free header straight at Southwood after Robinson had roamed clear down the left flank and whipped in a teasing ball, before the Jamaican international was denied by a smart save from the Reading goalkeeper at his near post moments later. The Royals rode their luck just before the interval when Decordova-Reid rattled the post after racing onto Ivan Cavaleiro's floated through ball and Mitrovic's miscued close-range finish came back off the crossbar after Robinson found more room down the left.

Silva's stirring words at half-time produced an immediate response from the home side with Cavaleiro cutting in from the left and bringing a good save out of Southwood, who was then nearly left stranded by an overhit Morrison backpass. But that early adventure counted for nothing when Reading scored from their first attack of the second half. Ejaria and Halilovic worked a brilliant one-two, with the Croatian's cute pass drifting over Tosin Adarabioyo. There was still plenty for the Liverpool loanee to do but he slotted home on the turn from a tight angle to send the travelling contingent wild.

That saw Silva summon Muniz off the bench for his home debut and the Brazilian certainly perked up Fulham in attack. A flurry of chances followed a succession of yellow cards, with referee Stephen Martin losing control of what suddenly became a feisty contest. Baba Rahman was on hand to hook away after Southwood spilled a cross in front of goal, Morrison denied Muniz with a superb saving tackle and Jean-Michael Seri lashed over from 20 yards out. Muniz and Mitrovic linked up brilliantly, with the Brazilian chesting down a Robinson cross only for Fulham's number nine to fire wastefully over.

When the Serbian did seem set to find the bottom corner, Southwood's strong hand prevented him from giving Fulham a lifeline. Reading were dropping deeper and deeper and salvation appeared possible when Mitrovic rose majestically at the back post to head a Wilson ball back across goal, handing Muniz the simplest of headers into an unguarded net for his first Fulham goal. Silva's side threw everything at Reading in the six minutes of stoppage time, with Southwood denying substitute Onomah an equaliser with an outstanding save after the midfielder had brought down an Adarabioyo ball, turned and fired goalwards. Referee Martin – who awarded a phantom penalty against Fulham at Burton four years ago – then ignored loud home appeals for a spot kick when Mitrovic looked to be manhandled in the area by Morrison and Reading held on for a memorable victory.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Odoi (Onomah 71), Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Seri (Kebano 71), Chalobah; Wilson, Cavaleiro, Decordova-Reid (Muniz 55); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Rodak, Hector, Mawson, Quina.

BOOKED: Seri, Wilson, Odoi, Ream.

GOAL: Muniz (86).

READING (4-2-3-1): Southwood; Yiadom, Rahman, Holmes (Drinkwater 20), Morrison; Laurent, Swift; Halilovic (Puscas 88), Ejaria, Dele-Bashiru; Hoilett (Telek 89). Subs (not used): Boyce-Clarke, Ehibhtationham, Stickland, Clarke.

BOOKED: Hoilett, Swift, Rahman.

GOALS: Ejaria (19, 53).

REFEREE: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire).

ATTENDANCE: 18,901.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/ejaria-double-ends-readings-barren-run/

WhiteJC

Silva slams Fulham's wastefulness

Marco Silva bemoaned Fulham's poor finishing after his side slipped to a surprise defeat against Reading at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The hosts dominated the contest but fell behind to a brilliantly taken double from Ovie Ejaria. Rodrigo Muniz's first Fulham goal set up a grandstand finish but Fulham could force an equaliser in stoppage time. Silva told his post-match press conference that he was disappointed with his team's lack of ruthlessness in the final third.

"The stats are there, it's clear for everyone who saw the game. But the result is there as well. In football you can have a lot of possession, you can create so many chances if you're not clinical enough, it can happen. We scored once, but we conceded two goals. The first was a counterattack, but we can't concede the second in that way.

"The commitment, the desire, the attitude to chance the things were there. The basics we cannot negotiate was there on the pitch. The way we started the game, the way we started creating chances with being more clinical with the last decision, with a little more quality, this is a game we could've decided in the first 15 minutes. The chances we have with Bobby and more chances we created before they scored, we can be ahead in the score and everything will be different, that is football we were not clinical enough. A great afternoon for their goalkeeper as well.

"I said at half time, I told our players we would change the score if we don't give them a chance to score more goals because I knew that will happen, it is important that we don't lose the balance, the focus, don't make mistakes. If we score, the game can change straight away for us, but unfortunately, we conceded another goal."

The one bright spot was Muniz opening his account for the club. The Brazilian forward looked bright on his Craven Cottage debut and Silva feels this will be just be the start for the 20 year-old.

"It's important for him, he has the capacity to score, I don't have any doubts about it. He needs more time. I didn't make a change at half-time because I expected a strong reaction after the way we finished the first half. We prepared a situation with Rodrigo playing with two strikers up front.

"He did what he normally does. We need the team to create a little more out wide for him because he's really strong there. He had a strong knock in the last 10 minutes, he couldn't run, but we had to keep him on the pitch because we didn't have any more changes. He's in pain now, but we have to wait and check."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/silva-slams-fulhams-wastefulness/


WhiteJC

Crossley: Fulham have Premier League manager in Marco Silva

Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Crossley believes that when you can recruit a manager of Marco Silva's calibre you have to go for it.

The Cottagers were relegated from the Premier League last season and saw Scott Parker depart the club by mutual consent before he took-up the manager's role at AFC Bournemouth [The Guardian].

Fulham replaced Parker with former Hull, Watford and Everton boss Marco Silva, who penned a three-year deal to become the club's new head coach.

Fulham have started life back in the Championship in fine form, taking 16 points from the first possible 21 available to leave atop the standings.

Crossley believes that having a manager of the calibre of Silva and with the playing staff they have at their disposal, Fulham will make an instant return to the Premier League.

The former goalkeeper said: "When you can recruit a manager of Marco Silva's calibre, you've got to go for it, you've got to snap it up.

"I really like him, I watch him on the sidelines he's very calm giving instructions, I listen to his interviews, he speaks so much sense, he knows the game inside out and I think he's a Premier League manager.

"That's why I see Fulham being in the Premier League next season because they've got a Premier League manager and they've got some Premier League players no doubt, so I only see good things for Fulham this season."

After a brilliant start to the new Championship season, everybody connected with Fulham will be hoping that they can continue their great run of form and be in the promotion picture come the end of the current season.



https://thisisfutbol.com/2021/09/blogs/championship/fulham/crossley-fulham-have-premier-league-manager-in-marco-silva-e280/

WhiteJC

'Offered nothing', 'Ponderous' – Many Fulham fans react to performance from 27-year-old in Reading loss

A number of Fulham supporters have bemoaned the performance of Ivan Cavaleiro following their frustrating 2-1 defeat at home to Reading on Saturday.

Marco Silva's side headed into the game aiming to make it back-to-back wins following their impressive 4-1 win at Birmingham City in midweek.

That game had shown Fulham's ability to bounce back from setbacks after they were beaten for the first time this term in the league at Blackpool.

Against Reading, Fulham were guilty of being far too wasteful in the final third and they did not make the most out of getting into some very dangerous positions.

That allowed the visitors to take advantage with them being more clinical in front of goal with their two goals.

One player in particular who struggled in the final third was Cavaleiro, with the 27-year-old losing possession of the ball 14 times during the 90 minutes. Whilst he also only able to deliver an accurate cross into the box on three occasions out of his ten attempts.

Many Fulham fans were left frustrated with Cavaleiro's end product and there were one or two questioning whether he should be starting games for them off the back of this display.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/offered-nothing-ponderous-many-fulham-fans-react-to-performance-from-27-year-old-in-reading-loss/