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Thursday Fulham Stuff - 30/09/21...

Started by WhiteJC, September 27, 2021, 12:58:34 PM

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WhiteJC

Results


Wednesday
Barnsley
1-3
Forest
Derby
1-0
Reading
Fulham
3-1
Swansea
Luton
5-0
Coventry
Millwall
1-0
Bristol City
Peterborough
0-0
Bournemouth

WhiteJC

#1
Fulham 3-1 Swansea


Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates his opening goal as Ben Cabango's legitimate claim for offside is ignored

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a first-half hat-trick as Fulham beat Swansea City 3-1 to climb to third in the Championship.

Mitrovic made it 10 goals in nine club games in 2021-22 as Fulham ruthlessly exposed Swansea's deficiencies.

Marco Silva's team eased to a first victory in three league outings despite Jamie Paterson pulling one back for a Swansea side who had their moments.

A first defeat in five second-tier games leaves the Welsh club in 19th.

Swansea passed the ball with purpose in spells, but defensive vulnerability was an issue from the outset and Fulham took advantage.

Harry Wilson had already seen a penalty appeal turned down by the time Mitrovic began leaving his imprint on the game.

Swansea half-cleared a Neeskens Kebano cross, but Tim Ream headed the ball back into the penalty area and Mitrovic turned Kyle Naughton before guiding a low shot beyond Ben Hamer.

The goal should have been ruled out as Mitrovic was half a yard offside, but there was nothing dubious about his second other than Swansea's defending.

Ben Cabango's pass was picked off by Joe Bryan, who sent Kebano surging down the left before the winger's low cross was scuffed into the bottom corner by Mitrovic from close range.

There were further Fulham chances, with Mitrovic heading straight at Hamer and Bobby Decordova-Reid firing wastefully over, before Swansea pulled one back.

Joel Piroe's measured through ball sent Paterson into space, and he coolly cut back onto his right foot to leave Denis Odoi and home keeper Paulo Gazzaniga helpless as he curled a shot inside the far post.


Jamie Paterson shows composure to claim his third goal since joining Swansea

Yet Fulham swiftly re-established their two-goal advantage as a rapid counter-attack ended with Odoi crossing for Mitrovic to claim his third goal of the night - and his 52nd in 92 appearances at this level - with a clinical near-post finish.

Swansea had kept four clean sheets in five league games before this, but had no answer to a Fulham side who are the Championship's top scorers after 10 games.

Russell Martin's team should have had a second goal of their own early in the second half only for Flynn Downes to lift over from 12 yards after fine work from Ethan Laird, who then saw an effort of his own deflect onto the crossbar.

Fulham might have claimed a fourth goal when Odoi's effort was saved by Hamer, but by then the points were sealed.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva said: "For Mitro (Mitrovic) to score three goals means he had a very good night, but the way we put the ball for him to score - every striker in the world cannot score goals if the team doesn't produce for him. We did so well for him to score.

"Sometimes strikers have three or four chances and score three goals, last game he scored once and had clear chances to score more. It's the life of strikers. It was good to see him scoring three goals tonight because it was good for him and for the team.

"In the first hlaf we did so well. We had some fantastic moments. Our offensive organisation and our offensive transition - we had two fantastic moments on the counter-attack.

"The way we built our attacks was really good. Without the ball we had good organisation although we must do better with the position of our midfielders when we concede the goal."

Swansea head coach Russell Martin told BBC Sport Wales: "I thought we were great. I am really proud of the players - we went toe to toe with the best side in the division.

"They have a guy who is in really hot form and is one of the best strikers in the division. That's why he gets paid a lot of money, to do what he does.

"But let's put into perspective. They spent on one player pretty much our whole playing budget for the season.

"We were up against it, but we came her with courage, real bravery, and I liked so much about it. I am disappointed to lose but I am really proud of the way the players approached it."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58646979

WhiteJC

#2
Post-Swansea Press Conference

Marco Silva was pleased with the first half display which paved the way for Fulham's victory over Swansea City.

Aleksandar Mitrović hit a hat-trick before the break to cap a brilliant 45 minutes for the Whites.

"Happy with the result," was Silva's assessment. "It was a very good first half from ourselves.

"I said before the game I expected a very good game from both teams. The way we like to play and the way our opponent likes to play, I expected an open game, two quality teams, trying to win the game, trying to press high.

"In the first half we did so well, the way we beat the pressure, the way we analyse the actions.

"In our offensive transition as well, counter attacks, we had two fantastic moments, Bobby missed a big chance and the third goal from Mitro was our most perfect offensive transition. The way we built our attacks was really, really good.

"We knew that they like to press high. Without the ball, good organisation was a big part of the first half.

"Unfortunately second half was different. We had one injury yesterday, we missed Robinson with an issue with his knee. Tonight was Joe Bryan.

"Without left-backs on the bench, we changed the formation and managed the game in a different way, not so much with the ball like we like, but we showed a good organisation and managed the game.

"They had a big chance at the start of the second half but after that they didn't have so many, and we had a big chance with Denis and set-pieces.

"The game was more balanced in the second half than the first. We deserved clearly to win the three points, we were the best team on the pitch."

Mitrović was in devastating form, but Silva was quick to credit his teammates for creating the chances for him.

"For Mitro to score three goals means he had a very good night, but the way we arrived there with the ball, the way we put the ball there for him to score, was really, really good," he said.

"Every striker in the world cannot score if the team does not produce for him, and we did really well for him to score."



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


WhiteJC

#3
How is Stefan Johansen getting on since his Fulham exit?

After giving Fulham many years of loyal service, fans were gutted to see Stefan Johansen depart the club this summer.

The Cottagers took the Norwegian midfielder from Celtic in 2016 when they were in the Championship, and he contributed in his debut season in west London in a big way, scoring 11 times before securing promotion to the Premier League the following campaign.

Johansen couldn't nail down a starting spot in the top flight though and spent time on loan at West Brom before returning to Fulham back in the Championship, where he again became a regular but another promotion saw him fall out of favour and halfway through the 2020-21 season he joined Queens Park Rangers on loan.

And that temporary move became a permanent one this summer after he impressed at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium – but how's he getting on under Mark Warburton?

Johansen's permanent addition at Loftus Road was well received as fans saw him as an influential figure in the second half of their previous campaign, and he's carried on where he left off.

He's appeared in nine Championship games this season, assisting two goals and has scored once, with that coming away at Reading in a last-minute equaliser.

Johansen's pass accuracy over those nine matches is a healthy 87.5 per cent (per Wyscout) with 1.84 interceptions per match and he's been successful with 75 per cent of his dribbles.

The Norwegian can do it all but he faced a real battle at Craven Cottage this season if he stayed thanks to their incredible depth in the engine room.

Fulham fans themselves probably knew that it was the right time for the 30-year-old to move on to pastures new, but he could come back to haunt them when QPR and the Cottagers meet later on in the season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/how-is-stefan-johansen-getting-on-since-his-fulham-exit/

WhiteJC

Fulham ink UTL deal as they bid for Premier League return

September 29 – English championship club Fulham, currently second in the table as they bid for a return to the Premier League, have partnered with UTL Group, a firm specialising in document solutions, for the next three seasons.

The UTL Group will help Fulham to "streamline and improve its business processes around printing" and develop its own business opportunities, engaging with Fulham's network and clients.

"It's important that we partner with likeminded brands with shared principles that add value to the Club's operations," said Fulham sales director Jon Don-Carolis in a statement. "We're equally excited to work together on sustainability initiatives to help reduce our carbon footprint."

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"The geographical positioning of the club and their exciting new developments align with our ambitious growth plans," said UTL director Chris Pollard. "Sustainability is at the heart of what we do and it's been extremely encouraging to provide Fulham with a print solution which helps to reduce carbon footprint, along with many other benefits."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]



http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2021/09/29/fulham-ink-utl-deal-bid-premier-league-return/

WhiteJC

The 1897 Abandoned Cup Tie against Fulham which resumed as a Friendly Match

Team: Hunt, Smith (J), Hughes (F), Walburn, Musslewhite, McKenzie, Hadwick, Evans, McDavid, Wallington (A), Wallington (E)

Attendance: 3,000

On 18th December 1897, QPR took on Fulham in a London Senior Cup tie at Harvest Road.

Due to the foggy conditions the game was abandoned, however, it was then agreed that it could continue as a friendly match. The following report later appeared in the Sporting Life:

'Considerable rivalry has always existed between these prominent West London Clubs, and as a consequence, quite 3,000 spectators braved the elements to see the contest at Harvest Road on Saturday.

The Rangers won the toss, and at once forced matters. After five minutes, proceedings were temporarily suspended through Walburn being injured. This player, however, resumed operations.

After this last occurrence, Fulham maintained a strong attack on the home citadel, but Hunt, who is at present in grand form, proved equal to all emergencies.

The brothers Wallington combined prettily on the left-wing, and hereabouts Mr Kent caused a suspension while he declared the game to be only a "friendly". This proclamation did not deter both elevens from displaying much vigour.

Hadwick was next conspicuous with some fine dribbles, despite Knight's marked attention. The Rangers' outside-right centred finely, and once hit the post. "Thomas" infused some determined tackling and prevented the Wallingtons' many attempts becoming effective.

Eventually A. Wallington gained the first goal, McKenzie (or A. Wallington?) adding a second, and this was the score at half-time.

Continuing, the players seemed to forget that the game was only an ordinary match, and Knight's style was received unfavourably by the crowd.

Maile cleared well on several occasions, although once the ball was netted, but the point disallowed.

The thick fog rendered it most difficult to accurately follow the game. Robertson made a beautiful run, completely mastering Walburn, but the Fulhamite shot badly.

Hunt next showed his ability by warding off a strong bombardment. A foul was here accorded the Rangers, McDavid successfully taking the penalty with a ground shot. Nothing more resulted and the final score read: Rangers, three; Fulham, 0.'

A week later on Christmas Day, the proposed friendly against the Vampires wasn't played due to the continuing foggy conditions.



The Cup tie was re-arranged for New Year's Day and the West London Observer covered the match:

'Team: Hunt, Smith (J), Hughes (F), Walburn, Musslewhite, McKenzie, Hadwick, Hughes (R), Evans, Wallington (A), Wallington (E)

These old local rivals met in the replayed tie, fourth round, at Harvest Road, Kilburn, to decide who should meet Barking Woodville in the next round.

The Rangers have recently beaten Clapton and drawn with a strong team of Casuals, and their chance against Fulham was greatly fancied.

The ground was in an awful state when the game started, but after 20 minutes play Freeman easily beat Hunt, and scored for Fulham.

Just before half-time, the Rangers equalised from a free kickthrough McKenzie, and the score was one-all at the interval.

Musslewhite scored for the Rangers from a free kick after 20 minutes play, and E. Wallington added another with a fine shot.

Then from a corner, Fulham scored, and shortly after Freeman made the scores level. Ives scored again, and Fulham won an exciting game by four goals to three,'

And in the Willesden Chronicle it was reported that: 'The teams met on Saturday at Kilburn and had rather a rough game, Evans getting his shoulder put out by Fulham's nasty play.'

Steve Russell



(Thanks to Colin Woodley for his assistance)




http://www.indyrs.co.uk/2021/09/the-1897-abandoned-cup-tie-against-fulham-which-resumed-as-a-friendly-match/


WhiteJC

Mitrovic hat-trick lifts Fulham up to third

Aleksandar Mitrovic's first-half hat-trick helped Fulham return to winning ways.

The Serb's treble lifted the Whites up to third after they had won just one of their last four matches.

Mitrovic should have been awarded an early penalty when he was bundled over in the box by former QPR left-back Ryan Manning.

However, his luck evened itself out in the 12th minute when he fired past Ben Hamer despite standing in an offside position after Tim Ream headed a poor Swansea clearance back into the area.

With Neeskens Kebano and the returning Joe Bryan linking up to great effect down the Swansea right, Fulham dominated from the opening 45 minutes and could have been out of sight before Mitrovic grabbed his second.

The striker, who missed a hatful of chances at Bristol City on Saturday, headed a delightful Harry Wilson cross straight at Hamer from close range before Bobby Decordova-Reid scooped over the bar following a fine, free-flowing move.

Mitrovic grabbed his second when Bryan intercepted a poor pass from Ben Cabango and freed Kebano, who found the big striker unmarked in the box to apply a neat finish.

But the Whites' defensive woes, which have been on display in the early part of the season, were evident again as Jamie Paterson raced past Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo to fire impressively past Paulo Gazzaniga with the visitors' first meaningful attack.

But on the stroke of half-time Mitrovic claimed the match ball and calmed any Fulham nerees with a stylish finish from Denis Odoi's cross for his 10th goal in as many games.

Swansea were much improved in the second half and went close to pulling a goal back just after the restart when Ethan Laird's shot was deflected onto the post by Ream.

Finn Downes also shot over from close range as the Swans pushed hard for a second goal, but the Whites closed the game out to seal a comfortable win.


Fulham Gazzaniga, Odoi, Ream, Adarabioyo, Bryan (Mawson 55), Reed, Seri, Wilson, (Cavaleiro 72), Reid, Mitrovic (Muniz 69).



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/mitrovic-hat-trick-lifts-fulham-up-to-third

WhiteJC

Report | Fulham 3 Swansea City 1

The marksmanship of Aleksandar Mitrovic proved the difference as Swansea City fell to defeat in an entertaining clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Serbian forward Mitrovic had scored all of Fulham's goals against the Swans two seasons ago, and repeated the feat here as his first-half treble gave the hosts the points.

The Swans had pulled it back to 2-1 through a superb finish from Jamie Paterson, and they had chances to get something from the game, with Flynn Downes and Ethan Laird among those to go close.

The visitors also had the lion's share of possession, but it was the clinical finishing of the hosts - who are among the fancied promotion favourites given the majority of their squad were playing in the Premier League last term - that ultimately settled the contest.

Head coach Russell Martin had named an unchanged 18 from the weekend win over Huddersfield, and the Swans showed bright signs in the opening exchanges; a Jake Bidwell header nearly finding Joel Piroe the right side of his marker, while Olivier Ntcham and Laird were lively.

At the other end, referee Joshua Smith waved away a penalty appeal as Harry Wilson went to ground with Ryan Manning in close attendance.

It was proving as entertaining a contest as both bosses had predicted, and Paterson made an important interception after Neeskens Kebano had got away from Ben Cabango on the left and rolled a ball back towards the edge of the area.

However, there was nothing anyone could do to prevent Mitrovic opening the scoring. A powerful header back into the box found the Serbian in what replays suggested was an offside position.

But the flag remained down, and the striker turned inside Kyle Naughton to fire home past Ben Hamer.

Hamer denied the Cottagers' main man by holding his header from a Joe Bryan cross before Cabango was booked for hauling back Kebano.

Fulham were threatening to extend their lead. Kebano fired at Hamer, while Bobby Decordova-Reid wasted a superb counter-attack by firing Mitrovic's perfectly-weighted pass over the bar.

And Swansea's cause was not helped when they lost Ntcham to what appeared to be a hamstring injury on the half-hour mark.

Korey Smith came on for the Frenchman, but he had barely had time to break sweat when Mitrovic struck again.

Kebano got free down the left after a loose pass and his cross was rolled into the far corner of the net.

Swansea looked to respond with a sharp move, but Smith was left frustrated when his threatening cross found not a single coral shirt advancing to try and get on the end of it.

But the Swans pulled one back with eight minutes to go until the interval with a magnificent goal from Paterson.

Piroe dropped deep, spun away from three white shirts and sent the midfielder racing in on goal.

He elected not to shoot first time, instead turning away from Denis Odoi and Paulo Gazzaniga before finding the far corner.

The goal sparked a better spell for the visitors, but they were dealt a hammer blow right on half-time.

Fulham beat the Swansea press with the help of a deflection and broke away for Odoi to fizz a low cross into the box and Mitrovic complete a first-half hat-trick with a left-footed finish.

Four minutes after the restart and the visitors should have been back within one goal. Laird driving forward and picking out Downes with his pull-back, only for the midfielder to wastefully spoon over the bar from 12 yards.

Laird took on a shot himself a few moments later, with his left-footed effort clipping off Harrison Reed and crunching against the post.

Matt Grimes then looked to work room when a shot was on after Reed had been robbed just outside his own box, with the Swans knowing they needed to make an opportunity count if they were to set up a grandstand finish.

As Swansea committed more bodies forward so it left space for Fulham and Hamer made an excellent save to deny Odoi.

Martin's men continued to push but, in the end, the evening ended in defeat.

Fulham: Paulo Gazzaniga; Denis Odoi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Tim Ream (captain), Joe Bryan (Alfie Mawson 56); Harrison Reed, Jean-Michael Seri; Harry Wilson (Ivan Cavaleiro 71), Bobby Decordova-Reid; Neeskens Kebano; Aleksandar Mitrovic (Rodrigo Muniz 69).

Unused Substitutes: Marek Rodak, Michael Hector, Domingos Quina, Josh Onomah.

Swansea City: Ben Hamer; Ben Cabango, Kyle Naughtin, Ryan Manning; Ethan Laird, Flynn Downes (Liam Cullen 68), Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell (Joel Latibeaudiere 74); Olivier Ntcham (Korey Smith 31), Jamie Paterson; Joel Piroe.

Unused Substitutes: Steven Benda, Jay Fulton, Brandon Cooper, Liam Walsh.



https://www.swanseacity.com/news/report-fulham-3-swansea-city-1

WhiteJC

Three and easy by Mitrovic gets Cottagers back on Championship track

Fulham 3 Swansea City 1

Any concerns over Fulham's resolve across this season's Championship campaign were exquisitely dismissed with Aleksandar Mitrovic answering all questions, thanks to a first half hat-trick at Craven Cottage.

The Whites' sorcerer was on call in the sort of game which should be negotiated with relative ease if automatic promotion straight back to the Premier League is to be achieved.

Dropped points and a Carabao Cup exit last week to Leeds United briefly raised a few pre-match doubts at Fulham. Other rivals, though, do not have a forward with the presence and ruthlessness of Mitrovic. The Serb, fresh from a new five year contract, has netted ten goals for the club already and disappointments over his lack of sharpness last season have been forgotten, with pressing business now at hand.

This triple salvo across the opening 45 minutes certainly pleased the Cottage faithful, and they were treated to a breezy performance overall against a leaden Swansea City.

Fulham, needing to get back to winning ways following recent disappointments, started brightly, and they had a decent shout for a penalty in only three minutes. Swansea full back Ryan Manning – who used to ply his trade up the road in west London at QPR - appeared to nudge Harry Wilson as he was about to take aim from 15 yards out.

Certainly the onus was on the Cottagers to perform in the kind of aggressive fashion expected against the Swans who had won just once in their last five Championship encounters. The concession of two points away to Bristol City at the weekend had rankled Silva.

Cool finish

Fortunately for the head coach, he witnessed his men open the account in just 12 minutes – and it was Mitrovic who kept his cool for the first of his memorable evening.

Industrious Neeskens Kebano started the move on the left and Tim Ream instantly headed back a Swansea clearance into the path of well-positioned Mitrovic. There may have been a whiff of offside, but the Serb had the presence of mind to turn Kyle Naughton to line up a right foot shot, which he subsequently fired past visiting keeper Ben Hamer into the net.

The Cottagers' attitude was fully committed – Kebano was causing plenty of havoc with his pace and determination - and the fact that Swansea hadn't created anything of note for the much of the first half was testimony to Fulham's domination. Mitrovic could have added a second, only to see Hamer save his six yard header following Joe Bryan's precise cross from the left. Then it was the turn of Bobby Decordova-Reid to open up the brittle Swans' rear guard, but the midfielder really should have possessed more composure than to lash wildly over from a dozen yards.

Any anxiety at such profligacy from Silva on the touchline dissipated soon enough when Mitrovic did double Fulham's lead in the 31st minute. The move was wonderfully executed after Joe Bryan set Kebano free on the left. The low cross by the Congolese international evaded the Swans' defence, before Mitrovic gently guided the ball past Hamer into the far corner.

If Fulham thought they could relax and mark time until the interval, they found, even against an opponent lacking vision and potency, a lack of concentration can be so costly. And so it proved, when, quite unexpectedly, the Welsh side pulled a goal back in 37 minutes.

Joel Piroe sent Jamie Paterson free with a through ball, taking advantage of a second of home hesitancy – and the Swans' attacker nicked the ball past Fulham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga before calmly finishing into an empty net with a couple of defenders unable to brush him aside.

Hat trick completed

There was plenty happening on a mild late summer night by the Thames and, fortunately for the west Londoners, the sheer magnitude of Mitrovic's presence ensured the healthy deficit was restored without delay. With a minute to go before half time, Denis Odoi went on a characteristic raid down the right, and his whipped cross was deftly directed by the forward's right foot on the half volley, leaving Hamer with no chance.

Swansea embarked upon the second half in a far more vibrant fashion. In a warning shot across the Cottagers' bows, Ethan Laird saw his shot deflected on to the crossbar. Were Fulham inviting unnecessary trouble once again?

Unsurprisingly, it proved difficult for Fulham to maintain their early ferocity. However Silva's side maintained much of the initiative as events progressed.

The Cottagers' chief took a calculated risk when he decided that the scoring hero's work was done for the night, sending on new signing Domingos Muniz for another opportunity to impress, quickly followed by Ivan Cavaleiro replacing Wilson.

In terms of breaking up the flow of the game, it did the trick. Hamer pulled off a fine, instinctive stop to deny Odoi with Fulham galloping with confidence.

Silva's interpretation of the second half mood proved accurate. His team largely solid and the points secured with room to spare. Indeed, as long as Fulham are focused and in this kind of mood, games such as one at Coventry City on Saturday, and the west London derby against QPR on 16 October, should hold little fear.

Cottagers: Gazzaniga, Odoi, Ream, Tosin, Bryan (Mawson 55), Reed, Seri, Kebano, Decordova-Reid, Wilson (Cavaleiro 70), Mitrovic (Muniz 68)

Attendance: 16,031



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/three-and-easy-by-mitrovic-gets-cottagers-back-on-championship-track


WhiteJC

Fulham 3-1 Swansea: FLW reports as Aleksandar Mitrovic brings Whites back to life in front of goal

Marco Silva has been asking Fulham to be more clinical after recent matches and, when you've got arguably the best striker in the league at your disposal, it's perhaps no surprise that Aleksandar Mitrovic provided the answers in front of goal against Swansea City on Wednesday night.

In their last two games, the Cottagers have created a glut of chances but failed to get their rewards.

Over 20 shots were recorded against both Reading and Bristol City but, of course, only two goals were recorded to show for their efforts, with just the one point chalked up in the process.

A side as talented as this is always going to create chances, though, and perhaps it seemed only a matter of time before they'd start converting them once more to get back to winning ways.

Indeed, that's what happened against the Swans at a dry but increasingly chilly Craven Cottage, with the Serbian Mitrovic suitably ice-cold in front of goal in the first half.

His opening goal came after Tim Ream had powered a header back into the box. The striker collected, swiveled to lose his marker, and then lashed home an effort that wrong-footed away 'keeper Ben Hamer.

His second was a little scruffier, in fairness, but showed no less striking instinct as he got across his man to usher Neeskens Kebano's cross from the left home via what seemed more of his ankle than his foot.

His third, though, was far cleaner. Again, another good cross – this time from the right and Denis Odoi – found the forward who duly swept home, sealing a stellar 45 minutes both individually for him and for his team, with only a Jamie Paterson goal for the away side when the score was 2-0 a blot on the copybook.

Mitrovic, of course, was the late hero the last time these two met at Craven Cottage, with a crashing header in the dying moments of the game and, though we had a lot more time to see where this result was going this time around, it was the same man who stood out above the rest.

Fulham back on course form-wise and in front of goal, then, and now the challenge must be to ensure they're as clinical as this in the games to come.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-3-1-swansea-flw-reports-as-aleksandar-mitrovic-brings-whites-back-to-life-in-front-of-goal/

WhiteJC

Result: Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick guides Fulham to victory over Swansea

Aleksandar Mitrovic struck a first half hat-trick as Fulham eased their way to a 3-1 victory over Swansea.

The striker produced three clinical finishes – although Swansea claimed Mitrovic benefited from a generous offside decision for the opening goal – as Marco Silva's side clinched their second win in five league games.

Jamie Paterson replied for the visitors after Mitrovic had put the home side two up, but they were unable to work their way back into the game and suffered a first defeat in five league games.

Silva's side started positively with Harry Wilson immediately causing problems for the Swansea backline.

A through ball from Joe Bryan sent the former Liverpool midfielder into the Swansea penalty area where he went to ground under a challenge from Ryan Manning but Wilson's appeals for a penalty were ignored.

If Fulham were frustrated on that occasion, they benefited from referee Joshua Smith's next major decision when Mitrovic put them ahead in the 12th minute.

After Swansea had failed to clear their lines, Tim Ream headed the ball back into the Swansea area where Mitrovic was standing unmarked on the edge of the six-yard area.

The forward turned and shot past keeper Ben Hamer and the match official awarded the goal despite Swansea protests that Mitrovic was in an offside position.

The momentum was with Fulham but Mitrovic and Bobby De Cordova-Reid both failed to make the most of good chances to double the lead.

They did not have to wait long, however, before Mitrovic added his second in the 32nd minute after Fulham took full advantage when Cottagers left-back Joe Bryan intercepted a misplaced pass by Swansea defender Ben Cabango.

Silva's side pressed forward quickly down the left and Mitrovic was on hand to meet Neeskens Kebano's low cross and direct his first time finish inside the far post.

Swansea had not threatened but they forced their way back into the game in the 38th minute when Jamie Paterson collected Joel Piroe's pass and finished well past keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

But Fulham responded to the setback positively and restored their two-goal lead when Mitrovic completed his hat-trick in the 45th minute with another first-time finish, this time after meeting Denis Odoi's low cross from the right.

Swansea appeared to have little hope pf clawing their way back into the game but they responded well at the start of the second half with Flynn Downes failing to make most of a good shooting opportunity and Ethan Laird directing a deflected shot against the woodwork.

But Fulham regained control and saw out the game comfortably.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/result/result-aleksandar-mitrovic-hat-trick-guides-fulham-to-victory-over-swansea_466008.html?newsnow

WhiteJC

Fulham go third in Championship as Mitrovic treble sinks Swansea

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a first-half hat-trick as Fulham won 3-1 at home to Swansea on Wednesday to move up to third place in English football's second-tier Championship.

The striker's trio of well-struck finishes came as the London club ended a run of three games without a victory, with Jamie Peterson pulling a goal back for Swansea after the Welsh club had fallen 2-0 behind.

But that was as close as the visitors got as they suffered their first defeat in five league games.

Luton, meanwhile ended a run of six games without a win in spectacular style courtesy of a 5-0 thrashing of Coventry at Kenilworth Road.

It only took the home side two minutes to break the deadlock, with Elijah Adebayo scoring from the penalty spot after being brought down in the box.

Harry Cornick headed in the second, before Luke Berry made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark -- after a Coventry fan was carried out of the stands on a stretcher for medical treatment.

Adebayo scored his second goal just before the break before Cornick scored his second goal and Luton's fifth in the 58th minute.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest came from behind to win 3-1 at Barnsley as new head coach Steve Cooper enjoyed his first win in charge of the Midlands club.

Barnsley led through Cauley Woodrow's first-half penalty before second-half goals from Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson and Lewis Grabban sealed Forest's comeback.

Craig Forsyth's first goal in more than five years earned Derby a vital 1-0 home win against Reading.

The 32-year-old left-back's first-half header meant the Rams were still bottom of the table but moved Wayne Rooney's men to within seven points of safety after their 12-point deduction for entering administration.

Draw specialists Millwall picked up just their second league win of the season as substitute Jed Wallace scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in a 1-0 victory over Bristol City.

The Lions had drawn six of their previous nine games in the Championship but Wallace's goal was just enough to secure all three points.

Unbeaten Bournemouth were unable to return to the top of the table with a 0-0 draw at Peterborough.



https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210929-fulham-go-third-in-championship-as-mitrovic-treble-sinks-swansea


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Marco Silva hails hat-trick hero Aleksandar Mitrovic

Marco Silva heaped praise on Aleksandar Mitrovic after the striker hit a first half hat-trick in Fulham's 3-1 win over Swansea at Craven Cottage.

Mitrovic took his season tally to 10 goals in 10 league games with three clinical finishes which put the Cottagers on course for victory before the break.

But Fulham boss Silva also insisted the Serbia striker's performance was also a reflection of his team-mates's efforts.

Silva said: "For Mitro to score three goals means he had a very good night. But the way we put the ball for him to score was really good.

"No striker in the world can score if the team doesn't set it up for him and we played well for him to score.

"That is why he is here with us, that is why we renewed his contract and that id why he is playing every time because he is player that knows the competition really well.

"He's not just important because he can score. He is a key player in the way we like to play. And of course he can score in the box.

"Since the first day he has been happy. He is on the same page as the others. When the team wins he is happy like the others. When the team loses he is unhappy like the others.

"Like all of us he is working hard to be successful at the end of the season."

Silva added: "I'm definitely happy with the result. I thought we were very good, especially in the first half."

Mitrovic put Fulham ahead in 12th minute although Swansea manager Russell Martin insisted the forward was offside.

The second goal came in the 32nd minute and Mitrovic added the third in the 45th minute after Jamie Paterson replied in the 48th minute.

Martin said:  'I'm really disappointed we lost but I find it hard to be disappointed with the performance.

"I'm really proud of the players.  We went toe to toe with the best team in the division.

"We had some great moments, sometimes you have to accept when they are playing with really high quality and two of their goals were really high quality.

"And the guy finishes it off is deadly and one of the best strikers in the division, if not the best.

"But the first goal is tough to take. We work on trying to get out of the box and he is offside. It's a mistake.

"I loved our performance in the second half. We showed real courage. We had a massive chance but what we we lacked was that bit of confidence, that bit of swagger which is what they had.

"But we looked a really good team for long periods."



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/marco-silva-hails-hat-trick-hero-aleksandar-mitrovic_466020.html?newsnow

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Fulham fans oozing over Aleksandar Mitrovic as ridiculous Championship scoring record goes on

The Serbian hit a hat-trick in the win over Swansea City and has now scored more than half a century of goals in the second tier

Fulham fans cannot get enough of star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbian goal machine fired a first half hat-trick tonight to help the Cottagers on their way to a 3-1 home win over Swansea City.

Despite Jamie Paterson pulling one back for the Welsh side, Fulham held on comfortably to keep up the pressure on the top two.

Marco Silva's side are third in the Championship, on 20 points - two behind both West Brom and Bournemouth.

And key to that has been Mitrovic. His treble tonight, notched inside 33 minutes, has taken him onto ten goals for the league already, in as many outings.

And it continues his scintillating form in England's second tier.

He now has a superb tally of 52 goals from 92 outings ever since his first game in the competition - a 6-0 win for Newcastle against QPR in September 2016.

One wrote: "Mitrovic doing what Mitrovic does."

Another put: "Mitrovic is Mitrovic we know he'll score goals, but that's the most clinical he's been this season by a long way."

And another wrote: "The man bosses the Championship."

Meanwhile, a rival fan sarcastically put: "If Fulham get promoted... someone needs to buy Mitrovic back in the Championship."

Fulham chief Silva was certainly pleased with his forward.

Speaking post-match, the Portuguese said: "For Mitro to score three goals means he had a very good night, but the way we put the ball for him to score - every striker in the world cannot score goals if the team doesn't produce for him.

"We did so well for him to score.

"Sometimes strikers have three or four chances and score three goals, last game he scored once and had clear chances to score more. It's the life of strikers. It was good to see him scoring three goals tonight because it was good for him and for the team."

The Cottagers will be hoping to continue their fine form on Saturday lunchtime, when they travel to Coventry City.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-fans-mitrovic-ridiculous-record-25103645

WhiteJC

Silva praises hat-tick hero Mitrovic – but Bryan injury is a worry for Fulham

Fulham moved to third in the Championship after beating Swansea, but Joe Bryan looks set to miss this weekend's trip to Coventry after suffering a back injury.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's first-half hat-trick gave the Whites the points and took his tally to 10 goals for the season in as many games.

However, boss Marco Silva revealed after the game that Bryan, who went off 10 minutes into the second half, is a doubt for Saturday's game, as is first-choice left-back Antonee Robinson, who missed the Swansea match with a knee problem.

"It (Bryan's injury) doesn't look serious but it was painful in that moment and he felt he couldn't go through the game," Silva said.

"He had a very good first half. We did very well down the left side – he and Kebano did really well.

"Antonee's knee doesn't look serious, he just felt something in the session yesterday and we will have to wait and see if he can play the next game."

Fulham were excellent in the first half. with Mitrovic, a proven performer in the Championship, thoroughly enjoying himself after his miserable season in the Premier League.

"Strikers live for goals and it was really important for him tonight and also the team," Silva said.

"We renewed his contract, he is playing every week, and is happy.

"He knows the competition and the way some play against us. It is not just important with his goals, but his link-up play is very good and works in the way I want to play."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-praises-hat-tick-hero-mitrovic-but-bryan-injury-is-a-worry-for-fulham