Saturday Fulham Stuff - 25/09/21...

[WhiteJC]

Pre-Bristol City Press Conference

Marco Silva wants to see another good response from Fulham when we travel to Bristol City on Saturday.

The boys bounced back from their first defeat of the season at Blackpool with an emphatic 4-1 win on their travels, and Silva is keen for similar following last weekend's loss to Reading.

"We must react as a team," he explained. "The signs we have shown in the past every time we've not had a good result, the reaction was clear, it was what we wanted, trying to rectify what we didn't do so well in the game before. That's what we must do on Saturday again.

"Our performance was not bad against Reading, but we have to be more clinical, we have to be more compact, more focused on our balance as well to not let them do what they like and exploit some spaces within our block.

"We want to go there and play our game and to get a good result again."

After a hit-and-miss start to the campaign, the Robins are now unbeaten in four and go into the weekend buoyed by their stoppage time win over high-flying QPR last time out.

"They got a very good result," Silva said. "It was a tough game for them but they got it.

"A late goal always gives a good feeling to a team, and they did it. They achieved a very good result, and now they play against us in a good mood, with good confidence as well, and they will try to repeat the same result.

"Of course it's up to us, as always, to respect them and do our best. That's what we have to do, we have to go again to get a good result and win a football match again.

"It will be tough, like always, but it's up to us to give 100 per cent to win the match, and if we can perform well then we can do that."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/september/Pre-Bristol-City-Press-Conference/

[WhiteJC]

Up next: Bristol City (a)

The optimism of August when an enterprising Fulham outfit swept aside their opponents with a combination of style and attacking football has been tempered by three defeats in four games. Whilst Tuesday's shoot-out setback at the hands of top flight Leeds in the League Cup will be an afterthought come the end of the season, the two reverses against Blackpool and Reading were disturbing in different ways. At Blackpool, Marco Silva resisted rotation after an international break and Fulham looked lethargic unable to match the intensity and desire of their hosts. The Royals, on a poor run away from home and severely depleted by injuries, were able to neuter Fulham effectively, stifle any creative and scored two fine goals. If the division has already worked out how to thrive against Silva's set up, then that is a worrying sign.

The trip to Bristol this afternoon – just like the midweek visit to Birmingham before it – is an opportunity to put things right. Fulham haven't hit their early season heights in recent matches, even in what turned out by a commanding win at St. Andrew's. They haven't had the penetration or the potency of the early weeks of the campaign and will have to do without their teenage livewire, Fabio Carvalho, who has just resumed some running after a troublesome toe injury, for a while longer. When Carvalho and Harry Wilson were both absent, Fulham looked far less threatening in the final third. Reading put two men on the Welsh winger, dramatically reducing his own impact on proceedings, and without a natural number ten to link the play, the previously electric approach play had something of a formulaic feel to it.

There are selection considerations aplenty for Silva as he ponders how to respond to a couple of underwhelming results. Marek Rodak did well against Leeds in midweek, but Paulo Gazzaniga still remains his number one. More intriguingly, Alfie Mawson looked back to something his commanding best in the League Cup and has spoken in the aftermath of that game about how happy he is to be working under Silva. Breaking up a successful centre back partnership at this stage would be radical, even if Tosin Adarabioyo didn't cover himself in glory for either of Ovie Ejaria's fine strikes last weekend. Cyrus Christie had a tough assignment against Dan James but didn't look out of place and may well have played his way back into the manager's long-term thoughts.

The biggest conundrum comes in midfield, where Fulham were distinctly out of sorts against Reading. Nathaniel Chalobah couldn't match the levels of his outstanding debut at Birmingham, but perhaps we should be patient with a player who has barely played any football in the past six months. Harrison Reed appears to have been taken off on Tuesday as a precaution, which is a relief following his summer of injury problems, but the Whites midfield lacked incision with Jean-Michael Seri below par against the Royals. Josh Onomah nearly scored a sensational equaliser in stoppage time, but the biggest problem will be coming up with an answer for Carvalho's continued absence.

Bobby Decordova-Reid will be eager to impress on his return to Ashton Gate and, while you can never doubt the Jamaican for desire or effort, he has looked less effective through the middle than out wide. It might well have been a different game last weekend had he taken any of the three glorious first-half chances he spurned – a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal that stood in stark contrast to the way he snaffled up opportunities in the Premier League last term. Perhaps Decordova-Reid's versatility is counting against him in the search for consistency – it can't be easier slotting into various positions rather than getting a regular run in the team.

Reading's makeshift central defence handled Aleksandar Mitrovic remarkably well last Saturday. Their only mistake was to allow the Serbian striker to soar at the back post to head smartly across goal for Rodrigo Muniz's first Fulham goal, which hinted at late salvation which never arrived. Mitrovic remains the most potent striker in the division and Silva had seemed to solve his previous isolation, but without runners from deep positions, the Fulham number nine's effectiveness can really be reduced. Muniz showed remarkable powers of recovery to play against Leeds after hardly being able to walk in the aftermath of the Reading defeat and he will need similar resiliance after missing the decisive penalty against Leeds. The pair combined effectively after the Brazilian was introduced as a substitute last weekend – and it must spark thoughts of whether a partnership could be more than a last throw of the dice in the future.

Despite not having won in fourteen home games, Nigel Pearson's side are beginning to show significant signs of life. A come-from-behind smash and grab raid at Queens Park Rangers featured a first goal in four games for our former forward Chris Martin as well as a late winner from Nakhi Wells, who scored the last time the Whites visited BS3. Another encouraging away win at Cardiff means that the Robins could draw level on points with the Whites should they end their Ashton Gate woes this afternoon – and after eight points from a possible twelve recently, they will head into this clash in good spirits, with Nathan Baker potentially available after an ankle problem.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Odoi, Bryan, Adarabioyo, Ream; Seri, Chalobah; Decordova-Reid, Wilson, Kebano; Mitrovic. Subs: Gazzaniga, Mawson, Robinson, Reed, Onomah, Quina, Muniz.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/up-next-bristol-city-a-2/

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Sky Sports pundit predicts somewhat shock Bristol City v Fulham result

Bristol City welcome Fulham to Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon, with The Robins' miserable home record still intact.

The hosts have not won on home soil since January last year, and whilst their brilliant away form has pushed them to within a point for their play-offs, they will be hoping to get back to winning ways in Bristol as soon as possible.

City come into tomorrow's clash unbeaten in their last four games, beating QPR and Cardiff City away from home, and drawing against Luton Town and Preston North End at home.

It may be a good time for The Robins to face Fulham after The Cottagers have now lost two of their last three.

Winning the next four after an opening day draw, Marco Silva's side looked extremely dominant, but they have since dropped down to second place.

Scoring 11 times from their four games away from Craven Cottage, Fulham have proved to be quite prolific on the road.

However, EFL pundit David Prutton has predicted that Bristol City will finally get a home win, penning down a 1-0 victory for the home side.

Nigel Pearson has done an excellent job with The Robins thus far, and it seems that they are closing in on that home win.

The Robins will have the play-offs in their head but the difficult part is sustaining their early form.

Fulham have struggled after looking brilliant in the opening few games, and it will be no surprise to see them struggle versus a team with confidence.

Equally, it will be no shock to see Fulham return to winning ways, as they have beaten some strong opposition quite convincingly on their travels already this season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sky-sports-pundit-predicts-somewhat-shock-bristol-city-v-fulham-result/

If this is indeed the result what is the betting Chris Martin will score the only goal of the game!

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U23s fightback to see off Newcastle

Fulham's under 23s fought back from a goal down to beat Newcastle United at Motspur Park this afternoon thanks to three second half strikes.

The young Whites were keen to return to winning ways after being beaten at Wolves last Monday but made the worst possible start in the Surrey sunshine. Joe White threaded a gorgeous ball through the heart of the home defence and Dylan Stephenson galloped away from Terence Kongolo to slot his sixth goal in as many games past Taye Ashby-Hammond in only the second minute. Fulham quickly fashioned a response wih the lively Jay Stansfield shooting fractionally wide after making an opportunity all for himself, before Matthew Bondswell bravely blocked the young striker's shot after Steven Sessegnon had surged into the area and supplied a cross.

Kongolo's comeback lasted just forty minutes before he limped off with another injury, but Fulham almost forced an equaliser before half time. Max Thompson produced a magnificent save to keep out Ziyad Larkeche's effort and, from the rebound, Marlon Fossey found Terry Ablade in the area but Charlie Wiggett arrived in the nick of time to snuff out the danger. Fulham kept up the tempo after the resumption with Ollie O'Neill denied by another smart Thompson stop, before the home side were presented with a glorious chance to equalise. Eight minutes after the break, Bondswell made a dreadful hash of an attempted backpass and Terry Ablade had the simplest of tasks to fire past a helpless goalkeeper from ten yards out.

Steve Wigley's side suddenly had the momentum. They went in front midway through the second half when Stansfield's low angled drive nestled in the bottom corner from sixteen yards. It was a clinical finish after the ball had broken to him on the right angle of thea area following fine approach play from Sonny Hilton. The hosts made sure of the three points when Conor McAvoy powered home a Hilton corner at the near post eight minutes later. Fulham's under 23s are now three points clear of Norwich at the top of the PL2 table.

FULHAM UNDER 23s (4-2-3-1): T. Ashby-Hammond; Fossey, Larkeche, McAvoy, Kongolo (Odutayo 40); S. Sessegnon, Pajaziti; Hilton, O'Neill, Stansfield; Ablade (Harris 77). Subs (not used): Adams, Williams, Tiehi.

BOOKED: S. Sessegnon, Hilton, McAvoy.

GOALS: Ablade (53), Stansfield (65), McAvoy (73).

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3): Thompson; Barrett, Bondswell, Young, Wiggett; Anderson (Brookwell 62), Savage, White; Longelo, Wilson (De Bolle 82), Stephenson. Subs (not used): Banda, Scott, Ferguson.

BOOKED: Bondswell, De Bolle.

GOAL: Stephenson (2).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/fulham-u23s-fightback-to-see-off-newcastle/

[WhiteJC]

Bristol City predicted team vs Fulham: Nigel Pearson's big dilemma, Nathan Baker fitness test

Bristol City welcome Fulham to Ashton Gate with manager Nigel Pearson still searching for that elusive first home win since taking charge

Look, it's going to happen at some stage. There's only so many times Bristol City can deliver a 7/10 or better performance at home and not win.

The slight issue for today is they're up against one of the consensus best team's in the division who have a number of individuals playing Premier League football not so long ago.

With a nod to tonight's big heavyweight fight, Ashton Gate will also host an interesting clash of styles with Fulham liking to keep the ball and City, so far, content with keeping shape and counter-attacking.

After last weekend's win at QPR, in which the Robins certain subscribed to that model, confidence is high but Pearson still has a number of selection issues to ponder, especially in attack.

Goalkeeper and defence

Not that it needed reinforcing but Dan Bentley's impressive performance last weekend quickly put to bed any concerns emanating from his mistake against Luton.

The City captain was excellent in west London and will line up in goal for what will be his 99th appearance in a Robins shirt.

As to the identity of the players in front of him, it all depends on whether Pearson sticks with the 3-4-1-2 he deployed against QPR or return to a 4-4-1-1.

Fulham, unlike the Rs, play with one central striker in Aleksander Mitrovic (six goals in eight games), and the City manager had previously shown a reluctance to field three at the back, so you'd imagine a return to a four.

Nathan Baker is an injury doubt following his ankle knock sustained in the capital and was being assessed yesterday. Given his injury history, and while that might be being a bit unfair, you naturally lean towards the 30-year-old missing out which then presents Pearson with several decisions.

If he wants to keep a three-man defence with wing-backs, the only obvious replacement is Zak Vyner who could move into centre-back and then Rob Atkinson shuffling across to the left of the trio. However, Vyner may be required at right-back should Pearson revert back to a flat four and want that extra physicality.

But that would be unfair on George Tanner who did everything he could to keep his place and, based on Pearson's rationale in selection, the 21-year-old should remain on the right.

As for the left side, assuming Baker doesn't make it, then it's a straight fight between Jay Dasilva and Cam Pring.

Pring played as left wing-back at QPR and, again, has been consistent enough in his performances to warrant re-selection.

There is also a scenario where Dasilva and Pring both play down the left, able to interchange between full-back and wide midfielder, again dependent on Pearson's system.

It has to be said that Fulham are a possession heavy team (60.6% per game, third highest in the division; City are at 45.2%) who like to move the call quickly, so the more pace Pearson can get in the team, the better.

If Baker isn't fit, does the manager go for two agile and more attacking full-backs in Tanner and Dasilva, whose pace can theoretically match-up against Harry Wilson and whoever starts on the other flank, or will there be a feeling that leaves City too vulnerable and Vyner's defensive attributes are needed down the right for some balance?

Midfield

Similar debates are relevant to the midfield area where it's also become further complicated by the return to fitness of Andy King from a tight thigh.

Pearson may want the extra control King brings in the middle but that springs two questions: who does he replace? And against a vibrant Cottagers midfield, are his slightly slower legs a good idea?

The first quandary may negate the second one, anyway, because all signs point towards Matty James, Han-Noah Massengo and Tyreeq Bakinson keeping their places.

If it's a four then you'd imagine it'll be Massengo on the right, with James and Bakinson in the centre, and then Pring out on the left. Massengo can also tuck into the middle and former a tighter central area to try and disrupt Fulham's possession game.

If it's a three then it's the same group of players who lined up at QPR with Massengo in a more advanced role.

As for those not quite among the starting group yet, there is a case for Joe Williams to be included just for the energy he could bring, on and off the ball. The fundamental issue for the 23-year-old is that, as is this case with King, he needs his manager to remove an in-form player which, up to now, he's been reluctant to.

Kasey Palmer played for the Under-23s in midweek and didn't do much to suggest he'll be troubling the starting XI. Pearson did though take time out this week to praise his attitude and suggest his time will come.

That's also true of Callum O'Dowda who curiously wasn't involved on Tuesday despite having not played since the opening weekend of the season. Is that a clue for his inclusion this week? It's certainly possible in a flat midfield four with Pring then moving back to left-back.
Attack

Which brings up nicely into the main area for debate: who out of Chris Martin, Andi Weimann and Nahki Wells will get the nod? All have strong cases for inclusion but there are only two spots available with Pearson wanting a pair in the final third.

To go through each combination: Martin and Weimann has been the manager's go-to options with the former's physical presence, aerial strength and touch play and the Austrian running in behind; it's clear there's an established chemistry there and they're the obvious pick, having also started against QPR.

Martin and Wells offers a similar dynamic, with the latter also probably the best finisher at the club, but that means taking Weimann out of the starting XI which doesn't seems a realistic option right now, given how hard he works on and off the ball.

Fulham are a team that will need to be pressed to stop them settling into a rhythm and building from the back, as they like to do (Tosin Adarabioyo - 72.3 passes per game, Tim Ream - 64.1).

And that is why you start to feel that maybe Pearson might consider a third option of Wells and Weimann. Both mobile and dynamic, they give City options running in behind and present the Fulham defence with different problems to the more straightforward Martin as a central striker.

There is also the consideration, as much as he won't like to admit it, that Pearson could have Millwall in mind and the physical Lions at the Den might be a more suitable and sensible match-up for Martin.

Maybe also there's a small part of the manager who wants to try something different at Ashton Gate to try and break this cycle of not winning.

Bristol City (4-4–1-1): Bentley; Tanner, Kalas, Atkinson, Dasilva; Massengo, Bakinson, James, Pring; Weimann; Wells



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-predicted-team-fulham-5968998

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Football Team Has Incredible Response After Boy With Cerebral Palsy Was Abused Online



Fulham Football Club have been praised for the incredible response they had after hearing how a fan with cerebral palsy was abused online.

Thirteen-year-old Rhys Porter proved that he would not let his cerebral palsy and epilepsy stop him from doing what he loved as he joined Feltham Bees Football Club, a disability sports club associated with Brentford, and shared videos of his games on a dedicated TikTok account.

After sharing about four or five videos, a video of Porter saving a goal went viral, but also received an influx of hurtful comments from online trolls.

Fulham fan Rhys Porter, who has cerebral palsy, suffered awful abuse online after uploading a video of him playing football.

Now Fulham have added him to the first team squad on their website and given him a full profile!

Absolutely class 👏👏👏
👉 https://t.co/midYLqt6OY pic.twitter.com/oDcCHj6ZAY

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 24, 2021

The teenager was bullied for his disability and told BBC Breakfast he didn't want to go to football training after reading what people were saying about him online, but thankfully people also rallied around Porter and helped show him that he should not listen to the bullies.

Porter was invited to Wembley Stadium to train with the England cerebral palsy squad, as well as being welcomed as part of Fulham's first-team squad on their website, where he also received a full profile.

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The page dedicated to Porter reads:

    Everyone at Fulham has been completely inspired by Rhys, and we wanted to show him just how impressed we've been with both his attitude in the face of adversity, and his commitment to helping others.

    Rhys joined us at Craven Cottage for our match against Reading, meeting his heroes as well as partaking in a half-time Q&A with Ivan Berry, to rapturous applause from all inside the ground.

Fulham defender Tim Ream surprised the 13-year-old on BBC Breakfast this week, causing Porter to become emotional as he heard the player praise him.

"What he's doing is more of an inspiration than anything that any of us could ever do."

🥺 Watch as footballer, Tim Ream surprises Fulham fan with cerebral palsy, Rhys Porter, who suffered abuse online after uploading a video of him playing football.https://t.co/qkEO2Uy0e6 pic.twitter.com/w8hpJ670bM

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) September 23, 2021

He commented, 'I showed my family his video and I just think, people see footballers as role models and inspirations and for me, what [Porter's] doing is more of an inspiration than anything that any of us could ever do.'

After becoming determined to turn the negatives of being bullied into a positive, Porter set about raising money for disability charity Scope with a goalkeeping challenge as part of the charity's Make it Count campaign.

If you've been affected by bullying and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Bullying UK (part of Family Lives) on 0808 800 2222. The helpline service is open 9am–9pm Monday to Friday and 10am–3pm Saturday and Sunday



https://www.unilad.co.uk/life/football-team-has-incredible-response-after-boy-with-cerebral-palsy-was-abused-online/

[WhiteJC]

Wolves end Fulham U23's fine start

A much-altered Fulham under 23 side suffered their first defeat of the season at Aggborough this evening as Wolves defeated Steve Wigley's side 2-1 to register a fourth straight win and move level with the Whites at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table.

Perhaps with tomorrow night's League Cup tie in mind, Fulham made eight changes from the side that had seen off Southampton last Friday. Harvey Araujo, Charlie Robinson and Devan Tanton were promoted from the under 18s to form a rejigged defence. Terry Ablade returned to start up front and almost provided an early assist for Michael Olakigbe, but an offside flag ruled out the winger's fine finish. Sonny Hilton curled agonising over in a bright start by the visitors, but it was Wolves who went ahead inside seven minutes.

Chem Campbell charged down the left, beating several Fulham defenders, and – although George Wickens got a hand to his shot – Owen Hesketh was on hand to bury the rebound. Ablade then rounded goalkeeper Louie Moulden after robbing Jack Scott but his finish after a fine solo run rolled just wide. Wickens smothered a shot from Pascal Estrada, but there was little further goalmouth action in a tight and even first half.

Moulden had to be alert right at the start of the second half to deny Ablade after the Finnish youth international looked set to latch onto a weak backpass and Luke Harris almost found space in the Wolves six-yard box, although to be denied by a brilliant saving tackle from Lewis Richards. Campbell threatened again at the other end, outstripping Tanton for pace, before blazing over but the lively Wolves forward would soon put the contest beyond the visitors.

Welsh youth international Hesketh was the architect of the decisive goal which came ten minutes from time – producing a lovely lay-off for Campbell, whose left-footed strike found the bottom corner for his first goal of the season. Idris Odutayo then cleared off the line to prevent Lee Harkin from adding a third. The visitors were enraged when the assistant referee ruled out a goal after Moulden had juggled with Hilton's corner and fallen into his own net. After a long consultation on the touchline, a free kick was awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Fulham did get a goal back when they were awarded a penalty in stoppage after Rafa Nya had hauled down Odutayo from a corner and Hilton stroked home his third of the season from the spot. The young Whites weren't able to force an equaliser and they are now joint top of the table – alongside Norwich, Aston Villa and Wolves.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS UNDER 23s (3-4-3): Moulden; Scott (Agboola), Estrada, Richards; Birtwhistle, Nya, Griffiths (Hodnett 45), Cundle; Campbell, Hesketh, Carty (Harkin 72). Subs (not used): O'Shaughnessy, Kandola.

BOOKED: Scott, Birtwhistle, Hesketh.

GOALS: Hesketh (7), Campbell (80).

FULHAM UNDER 23s (4-2-3-1): Wickens; Tanton, Larkeche, Odutayo, Robinson; Araujo (Okkas 78), Harris; Hilton, Olakigbe, Sanderson; Ablade (Williams 61). Subs (not used): McNally, McAvoy.

GOAL: Hilton (pen 90).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/wolves-end-fulham-u23s-fine-start/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham: Marco Silva drops Tom Cairney injury update

Fulham manager Marco Silva has dropped an update on Tom Cairney's recovery from injury.

What's the latest?

In recent comments cited by West London Sport, the 44-year-old revealed that the attacking midfielder has been making decent progress in his recovery from a knee injury which has kept the 30-year-old sidelined since December.

Speaking about the current condition of the Scotland international, the Fulham manager said: "He made some progress. Not big, big progress to be honest, but he's on the [training] pitch already. We need to be calm to see him 100% fit."

Fans will be buzzing

Considering the sheer amount of time for which Cairney has been sidelined, he will undoubtedly feel like a new signing for Fulham when he does eventually return to first team action, while seeing the 30-year-old in action at Craven Cottage once again will certainly have fans buzzing.

Indeed, Cairney proved to be a hugely important part of Fulham's last promotion-winning campaign, scoring eight goals, providing three assists and creating six big chances over his 39 Championship appearances back in 2019/20, in addition to taking 1.1 shots and making 1.8 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £27k-per-week man earn an impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.12, ranking him as the club's second-best player in the second tier in that campaign.

Although the player who Silva's predecessor Scott Parker dubbed an "outstanding" talent looks unlikely to make a return before the next international break, it would appear a case of the sooner Cairney returns for Fulham the better, as the midfielder will undoubtedly strengthen their already healthy-looking promotion credentials even further.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-fc-news/fulham-ffc-the-cottagers-team-news-injury-update-tom-cairney-marco-silva-the-championship

[WhiteJC]

Sanderson hat trick sinks Norwich

A fine hat-trick from Ollie Sanderson powered Fulham's under 18s to a 4-0 win over Norwich City at Motspur Park this afternoon as the young Whites bounced back from their first defeat of the season at Stoke.

The centre forward was the focal point of the home side's attacks from the outset, heading an early cross from Devan Tanton straight at Jayden St. Paul in the visiting goal. The lively Michael Olakigbe was denied a chance to open the scoring after a fine move in midfield by an offside flag before Osman Foyo offered a warning of the danger Norwich posed in attack by evading a number of tackles before lifting his finish over the bar.

Jaylan Wildbore was unfortunate not to open the scoring midway through the first half when his deflected effort came back off the crossbar after more incisive attacking play from Tanton, who had raided forward from right back. Luke Harris and Imani Lanquedoc went close with snapshots before Wildbore saw a close-range effort well saved by St. Paul after he had seized on a slack touch from Waylan Renecke.

Norwich nearly stole the lead five minutes before the break when Joe Duffy guided a header from a corner towards goal, only for Harvey Araujo to scramble clear from underneath his own crossbar. Fulham made the most of that let off by taking the lead from their very next attack. Wildbore found space along the right flank and whipped in a devilish cross for Sanderson to turn home his fourth goal of an already impressive campaign.

The home side continued in the same vein after the interval but were indebted to a brilliant save from Alfie McNally for preserving their lead. The Fulham goalkeeper produced an excellent reaction stop to claw away another Duffy header and, from the ensuing corner, Michael Reindorf lashed into the side netting. As in the first period, Fulham went up field and extended their advantage. Wildbore was the architect again supplying another perfect cross for Sanderson to dispatch into the far corner.

Substitute Lemar Gordon, promoted from the under 16s, skied over from Tanton's teasing cross to spurn an open goal but that glaring miss proved academic. After Olakigbe and Harris went close in quick succession, the Welsh youth international was somewhat fortunate to see his shot squirm under St. Paul's body for the third goal – it should really have been a routine save for the Norwich keeper.

Sanderson completed his treble with ten minutes to play – emphatically volleying home Olakigbe's cross to round off the scoring. Fulham's comprehensive win leaves Steve Wigley's side in third place in the early league table, a point off top spot.

FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-3-3): McNally; Tanton, Araujo, C. Robinson, De Fougerolles; Okkas (Caton 78), Harris, Lanquedoc (Parker 45); Wildbore (Gordon 66), Olakigbe, Sanderson. Subs (not used): Murray.

BOOKED: Harris, Tanton.

GOALS: Sanderson (43, 62, 80), Harris (76).

NORWICH CITY (4-3-3): St. Paul; Okeowo (Jambang 64), Shipley, Trialist, Renecke; Hills, Reindorf, Brooke; Thorn, Foyo, Duffy. Subs (not used): Trueman, Roberts, Pinyon.

BOOKED: St. Paul, Shipley.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/09/sanderson-hat-trick-sinks-norwich/

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