Sunday Fulham Stuff - 31/10/21...

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Results

Saturday
Fulham	3-0	West Brom
Bristol City	2-1	Barnsley
Derby	1-2	Rovers
Huddersfield	1-0	Millwall
Hull	0-1	Coventry
M'borough	0-2	Birmingham
Preston NE	2-0	Luton
Sheff Utd	0-1	Blackpool
Stoke	3-3	Cardiff
Swansea	3-0	P'borough
Reading	0-2	Bournemouth

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Fulham 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 12 goals in his past seven Fulham appearances

Aleksandar Mitrovic's hat-trick sealed a 3-0 win for second-placed Fulham over third-placed West Bromwich Albion in the Championship.

Mitrovic's early penalty put the hosts ahead - the Serbian striker was controversially judged to have been fouled after what seemed a well-timed tackle from Kyle Bartley.

Mitrovic gratefully scored his side's second shortly before half-time as he slid home from Robert Snodgrass' weak backpass.

The Baggies had Darnell Furlong sent off with 20 minutes to go before Mitrovic wrapped up the win with a close-range effort eight minutes from full-time.

Fulham had Tosin Adarabioyo sent off with five minutes to go for a studs-up challenge on Grady Diangana, but by then the result was safe.

The win opens up a four-point gap between Fulham and West Brom, who will remain in third place after this weekend.

Marco Silva's side are now only two points off Championship leaders Bournemouth before the Cherries' evening kick-off at Reading.

Penalty decision angers Baggies


Kyle Bartley played the ball with the outside of his right foot as Aleksandar Mitrovic went down.....


...which led to animated protests by West Bromwich Albion's players

Fulham started the first half well, Harry Wilson seeing an effort deflected wide as Neeskens Kebano and Antonee Robinson found some joy down the left.

But the game's controversial moment came after 18 minutes when Mitrovic dramatically went down in the penalty area having been played through by Bobby de Cordova-Reid, after Dennis Odoi had won the ball off Karlan Grant in midfield.

Referee Michael Salisbury felt Bartley had fouled the striker when replays appeared to show that he made little contact with the Serbian and had played the ball with the outside of his right foot - Mitrovic stepped up to fire the penalty low into the right corner for his 16th goal in 14 appearances this season.

The goal appeared to inspire the Baggies - Grant fired across the face of the goal soon after the restart, Bartley twice went close with headers and Marek Rodak saved a Matt Clarke header.

But West Brom had no complaints with Mitrovic's surprise second - Snodgrass could only apologetically hold his hands up after putting the striker's 17th goal of the season on a plate for him as the visitors tried to play out from the back.

Mitrovic completes hat-trick before second red card


Mitrovic has scored two hat-tricks this season for Fulham and eight goals in his past four games

Valerien Ismael's men came out strong after the restart as they put Fulham under pressure in midfield and came close to pulling a goal back when Conor Townsend flashed a ball across the face of goal, which Jordan Hugill almost connected with.

But another West Brom mistake nearly put the game beyond them - Clarke weakly played a free-kick midway inside his own half across the field, which was intercepted by Kebano who blasted low and wide after running into the box alone.

West Brom brought on Diangana and Callum Robinson to try and give a renewed impetus to their attack, but it was defender Bartley who again almost scored as he headed a 61st-minute corner wide before Jake Livermore put a Townsend cross over the bar from close range following good work by Diangana in the build-up.

The game was all but ended as a contest with 20 minutes to go following Furlong's red card, which may be seen by some as controversial.

De Cordova-Reid's superb through ball put Wilson clear, but Furlong's studs appeared to make slight contact with the pass before the defender took down the former Liverpool midfielder and the defender was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Adarabioyo should have scored with 10 minutes to go with a free header at the far post but Sam Johnstone was able to palm it clear before Mitrovic hammered in his third from a couple of yards out following some excellent footwork on the byeline from Wilson to set him up.

Adarabioyo's red card shortly after was the only sour note for Marco Silva's side as their hopes for a return to the Premier League were given a boost with victory over one of their biggest rivals.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva:
"Strikers that score 18 goals in 15 games, I think the numbers are there. They speak for themselves.

"Of course a striker cannot win games alone, but if you have a striker who has this capacity to score goals, we should keep creating for him.

"When a striker is scoring and scoring, I don't need to speak to him. His job is done, I have to work on other things with him because his confidence is high.

"His team-mates are helping him and we have to keep the momentum. I'm pleased to see Mitro in a good mood, but also working hard as well."

West Bromwich Albion head coach Valerian Ismael:
"On the first goal, it's a penalty, but just before the penalty we lost the ball to easily and I don't want to speak about if it was a penalty or not because we lost the ball again.

"Mistakes are mistakes, I let you decide if it's a penalty, but we had the ball just before the penalty and we need to avoid to lose the ball, we don't need to talk about the decision.

"Again a big mistake (for the second goal), the good thing is that we make the mistake now.

"It's still a long way to go and the final game is in May and we have time to react and change, but we need to change that quickly."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59018934

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Post-West Brom Press Conference

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Marco Silva was delighted with his side's performance after they dispatched promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion 3-0.

"I am really pleased, not just because we won the game, the way we won. I told my players after the match that they were brilliant. Everything I asked them, our plan, they did it in the way we prepared, and they enjoyed it.

"We knew before the match, we analysed out opponent, we knew they had a strong part and a weakness, and in their strong part we did really, really well. We deal with them, they are physical."

"The way we scored the first two goals" Marco continued.  "The way we worked to start to challenge all the moments, the way we pressed them.  The first goal started from a moment we pressed them, a fantastic reaction from Dennis (Odoi), we pressed in the second goal from Bobby (De Cordova-Reid).

"It was a very good afternoon for us, congratulations for our players, they were brilliant, and our fans as well. Now it is a moment for us to rest and prepare the next one."

Aleksander Mitrovic scored a second hat-trick of the season. The Serbian has now scored a ridiculous 18 goals and the season has not even reached November.  Speaking on his striker, the Head Coach commented:

"A striker that scores 18 goals in 15 games, the numbers are there and speak for themselves. Of course, for him to score, this is fantastic work from all the team, it is not just an individual it something collective.

"I am really pleased to see the way he is scoring but also enjoying and working hard."

With the team firing on all cylinders in front of goal Marco was keen to praise his defenders after a third consecutive game without conceding:

"Again, we scored 3 goals, but for me doing it with a clean sheet, I am delighted.  They know how important it is for me as a manager, how it is important for us as a team as well. 

"We are an offensive team; our idea is clear what we are building here in this Football Club.  But for us to play, to be comfortable in the game and in all situations, we have to be balanced."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/october/30/post-west-brom-press-conference/

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Fulham FC Women Tickets

Fulham FC Women are in action on Sunday 14th November at Motspur Park, as they take on Oxford United in Round One proper of the Vitality Women's FA Cup.

Kicking-off at 2:30pm on the Arena Pitch, the side have reached the First Round proper for the first time in six seasons, and we're calling on supporters to get down to Fulham FC Training Ground and support the team!

Tickets are available to buy now, priced at £5 for adults and £1 for juniors. A limited number of tickets are also available to Season Ticket Holders free of charge, on a first come first served basis.

To buy your ticket, please visit tickets.fulhamfc.com. Best of luck to the team for their match!



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/october/30/fulham-fc-women-tickets/

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Fulham 3-0 West Brom: Aleksandar Mitrovic continues his sublime scoring form as he nets ANOTHER hat-trick against promotion rivals, with both sides ending up with 10 men at Craven Cottage

    Fulham were controversially given a penalty after Mitrovic went down in the box
    Serbian striker stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick in the first half
    Mitrovic then doubled his tally and Fulham's lead five minutes before the break
    It went from bad to worse for West Brom when Darnell Furlong was sent off
    Mitrovic then rounded off a brilliant afternoon by getting his hat-trick late on

Aleksandar Mitrovic struck a hat-trick as Fulham maintained the pressure on Championship leaders Bournemouth and West Brom were undone by a contentious key decision and a first half blunder by Robert Snodgrass in game that ended with both teams reduced to ten men.

Mitrovic has now struck 18 league goals this season but he was helped on the way by a controversial first half penalty decision and Snodgrass's misplaced back pass.

That put Fulham in control at half-tome and the 70th minute dismissal of Albion wing-back Darnell Furlong - another dubious call, in the eyes of the Albion players - killed off any hope the visitors may have had of staging a comeback.


Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat-trick as Fulham swept aside 10-man West Brom on Saturday


Referee Michael Salisbury pointed to the spot after Mitrovic went down in the box


The Serbian striker stepped up and successfully converted the spot-kick in the 20th minute


Mitrovic slides his penalty into the far right corner to break the deadlock for Fulham

Mitrovic grabed his third in the 82nd minute to kill off the game, three minutes before Tosin Adarabioyo was dismissed for a poor challenge on Grady Diangana.

Fulham were given a significant helping hand when they took made the 20th minute breakthrough.

Fulham right-back Denis Odoi dispossessed Karlan Grant near halfway and found Bobby De Cordova-Reid who directed a well weighted pass into the path of Mitrovic.

Bartley matched the forward's run and appeared to make contact with the ball before the Fulham forward tumbled to the ground.


Mitrovic celebrates breaking the deadlock at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon


It was Mitrovic again who doubled Fulham's lead after pouncing on a poor backpass


Mitrovic reacted quickly to intercept Robert Snodgrass' poor backpass to score again


The 27-year-old wheels away to celebrate again after doubling the lead before half-time


The Fulham players celebrate after doubling their lead five minutes before the interv

Referee Michael Salisbury decided Bartley had fouled the striker and Mitrovic took full advantage, placing the resulting penalty beyond Sam Johnstone's dive.

West Brom responded positively and were building a period of sustained pressure with Matt Clarke and Bartley both forcing Fulham keeper Marek Rodak into action with headers from set-pieces.

The last thing the visitors needed, then, was to gift Silva's side the second goal that ensured Fulham reached half-time in control of the game.

Snodgrass was the guilty culprit, playing a back pass straight into the path of Mitrovic who poked the ball past Johnstone. 


Then, in the final 10 minutes, Mitrovic got his hat-trick – his second in six league games


Mitrovic celebrates in front of the fans before being subbed off for a solid day's work

West Brom almost forced their way back into the game two minutes into the second half when Jordan Hugill just failed to connect with Conor Townsend's cross.

Then midway through the second period Jake Livermore somehow directed his effort over the bar from three yards out.

But ay hope Albion had of forcing their way back into the game disappeared when Furlong was sent off for a challenge on Harry Wilson in the 70th minute as he attempted to cut out De Cordova-Reid's through ball.

MItrovic then added his late third after being set up by Harry Wilson.


Shortly before Mitrovic's third, Darnell Furlong (right) was sent off for a last-ditch tackle


Darnell is shown a straight red, seeing West Brom's afternoon go from bad to worse


Neeskens Kebano came close to adding to Fulham's tally but could direct his shot on target


Mitrovic celebrates with his match ball at the final whistle as he continues his hot scoring form



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10147359/Fulham-3-0-West-Brom-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-nets-hat-trick-Baggies.html

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Mitrovic scores hat-trick as Fulham beat West Brom

Aleksandar Mitrovic netted a hat-trick as Fulham secured a vital win against their promotion rivals.

The Whites were two up by half-time courtesy of gifts from referee Michael Salisbury and West Brom's Robert Snodgrass.

Albion were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes remaining when former QPR man Darnell Furlong was sent off.

And Mitrovic sealed the win by tapping in from close range – his 18th goal of the season.

Fulham were themselves reduced to 10 men five minutes from time when Tosin was red-carded for a reckless challenge on Callum Robinson.

Mitrovic opened the scoring with a penalty after Salisbury adjudged that Kyle Bartley, who won the ball cleanly, had fouled the Serbian striker.

Snodgrass' appalling back-pass then enabled Mitrovic to slot home the second.

Neeskens Kebano missed a second-half chance to add a third goal when he fired wide after another woefully stray pass – this time from Matt Clarke.

Furlong was dismissed for bringing down Harry Wilson, who would have been through.

Wilson set up the third goal, pulling the ball back from the right for Mitrovic to apply the finish.

Fulham: Rodak, Odoi, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed (Carvalho 84), Seri, De Cordova-Reid, Wilson, Kebano (Cairney 84), Mitrovic (Muniz 84).
Subs not used: Gazziniga, Tete, Hector, Onomah.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/mitrovic-scores-hat-trick-as-fulham-beat-west-brom

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'What a player', 'Unstoppable' – Plenty of Fulham fans hail midfielder after West Brom win
Fulham won 3-0 at home to West Brom in the Championship this afternoon.

Fulham hosted West Brom in the Championship's early kick-off today, with the home side starting the day in 2nd and the visiting Baggies in 3rd.

It promised to be an action-packed game and the first half certainly was – Fulham found themselves two goals in front by half-time thanks to an Aleksandar Mitrovic double.

The first came courtesy of a controversial penalty decision and the second courtesy of a Robert Snodgrass back-pass.

In the second half, Mitrovic would find his hat-trick goal soon after Darnell Furlong was sent off, with Fulham also reduced to 10 men late on after Tosin Adarabioyo was shown red.

There were plenty of impressive player performances from Marco Silva's side today, and one of those was from Neeskens Kebano – the 29-year-old has been a regular starter under Silva and today he showed why he's been so favoured this season.



https://the72.co.uk/254393/what-a-player-unstoppable-plenty-of-fulham-fans-hail-midfielder-after-west-brom-win/

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Mitrovic hat-trick gives Fulham key win over promotion rivals West Brom

How fitting it was that Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You blared over the speakers as Aleksandar Mitrovic, clutching the match ball, stood in the centre circle wrapping up his post-match media duties. A core of worshipping Fulham supporters stuck around to serenade the striker as he conducted his own victory lap, fresh from a hat-trick that fuelled a comprehensive win and took his tally to an almost ludicrous 18 goals in 15 games.

Mitrovic makes this Championship lark look easy. He scored 26 en route to promotion two years ago and is as a close as it gets to a goal guarantee in the division. He will surely prove key to whether this slick Fulham team return to the Premier League at the first attempt and the frightening thing for opposition defences is that there are seven months of the season to play.

In this mood, Mitrovic seems unlikely to wind down anytime soon. The Serbia striker has scored 20 goals in 19 appearances for club and country since August, a feat that is even more staggering given how sparingly he was used in the top flight last season, when he scored three goals.

"The numbers speak for themselves," said the Fulham head coach, Marco Silva, whose side have won four successive games. "When a striker has 18 goals in 15 games, in terms of the confidence, I don't need much time to speak with him about what he is doing. The goals do it for me; his job is done. I have to do different things.

"His teammates are helping him and he has to keep with the momentum. I'm pleased to see Mitro in a good mood, the team in a good mood."

Both teams finished with 10 men but nothing could take the shine off this victory for a Fulham side that showcased their promotion credentials.

Mitrovic had four touches in the opposition box but made them count; two of those resulted in first-half goals that took the game away from West Brom, whose main threat stemmed from winning the aerial battle, and another sealed victory after Darnell Furlong was shown a red card for fouling Harry Wilson.

Fulham kept West Brom at arm's length but the visitors threatened from set pieces. Marek Rodak made a smart stop to prevent Matt Clarke finding the net with a flying header from just inside the box and Kyle Bartley twice went close.

The only disappointing note for Fulham was the red card shown to Tosin Adarabioyo, who was guilty of poor challenge on the substitute Grady Diangana with five minutes to play. "It was the only moment we regret," Silva said.

Fulham are well placed behind the leaders, Bournemouth, and West Brom are too, despite falling four points behind the hosts after a third successive away defeat.

Mitrovic got up and running from the penalty spot, side-footing in after Bartley was deemed to have fouled the striker in the process of raking the ball away from his feet. He then toe-poked in before the interval after seizing on an error by Robert Snodgrass, whose blind pass rolled straight into his path.

Fulham have scored 36 goals – more than any other team in the top four tiers – and Mitrovic was typically ruthless, stretching to beat a stranded Sam Johnstone.

Snodgrass raised his hand apologetically and West Brom may as well have held a white flag aloft when Mitrovic added a third eight minutes from time, converting Wilson's cross from close range moments after the lively Neeskens Kebano arrowed wide.

Mitrovic made sure to soak up the adulation as the Hammersmith End saluted him and more celebrations were to come.

"We created some chances but we needed to score," said the West Brom head coach, Valérien Ismaël. "The red card gave us the final shot to lose the game."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/fulham-west-brom-premier-league-match-report

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Mitrovic treble guides Fulham to comfortable win over the Baggies

Fulham (2) 3 Mitrovic pen 20, 40, 82

West Brom (0) 0

Aleksandar Mitrovic's hat-trick made it eight goals in four games for Fulham as they saw off the Baggies to stay on the shoulders of leaders Bournemouth.

It was his second treble of the season for the Whites – repeating his prolific night against Swansea in September.

Albion, who conceded a disputed penalty and gifted a goal, ended the match with 10 men on an afternoon where nothing went right for the visitors.

The only blemish on a perfect day for Marco Silva's men was an 85th minute red shown to Tosin for a painful high tackle on Albion sub Grady Diangana.

Mitrovic – who soaked up the adulation of home fans while holding up the match-ball at the end - now has 20 goals for club and country this season and is in the sort of form where luck follows him as well as undoubted talent.

First, the Serb profited from a very questionable penalty decision and then took advantage of a defensive lapse to double the lead before the interval.

After nearly 20 minutes of sparring, ref Michael Salisbury ruled that Kyle Bartley had fouled Mitrovic as the pair raced for a ball slipped through by Bobby Reid.

To the naked eye, it looked a perfectly-timed challenge, but without VAR in the Championship to test such marginal decisions, a spot-kick was awarded and the Serb duly dispatched it low to Sam Johnstone's left.

Fortunate or not, the goal spurred the Whites into a fine spell, with Neeskens Kebano to the fore. His quick feet helped him dance past two defenders on the left edge of the area and his roll-back was clipped just over by Jean Michael Seri.

Albion responded with a Matt Phillips drive just clearing the bar and then a muscular burst from skipper Jake Livermore past Tim Ream was halted by Tosin's fine block. 

Marek Rodak sprang full length to keep out a flying header from Matt Clarke and then stayed watchful to thwart Bartley from another aerial effort.

Those moments of danger seen off, the Whites doubled their lead before the break when Robert Snodgrass' weak back pass proved inch-perfect for Mitrovic and the striker had the simple task of sliding the ball beyond Johnstone's right hand.

The Baggies came close to pegging Fulham back at the start of the second half when Conor Townsend slid a low cross-shot towards the far post. It needed the slightest touch from a clutch of onlookers to change the scenario.

But they almost gifted a third goal when a crazy square ball into space from defender Clarke left Kebano with a run on goal. The final shot flew wide.

Albion's afternoon refused to improve though, and they played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after having Darnell Furlong dismissed with a straight red for a mistimed last-man tackle on Harry Wilson after Reid had angled a ball for his team-mate to run onto.

Now firmly entrenched in the comfort zone, the Whites scented more blood. Tosin's powerful far-post header was palmed away, but soon after, Mitrovic completed his hat-trick with a close-range blast after good work from Wilson to slip a ball back from the bye line.

Only the late red for Tosin marred a glorious start to the weekend for Fulham fans.

Whites: (4-2-3-1) Rodak – Odoi, Tosin, Ream, Robinson – Reed (Carvalho 84), Seri – Reid, Wilson, Kebano (Cairney 84) – Mitrovic (Muniz 84). Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Tete, Hector, Onomah

Albion: (3-4-2-1) Johnstone – Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke – Furlong, Snodgrass, Livermore, Townsend – Phillips (Diangana 59), Grant (Molumby 73) – Hugill (Robinson 59). Subs not used: Button, Reach, Kipre, Bryan



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/mitrovic-treble-guides-fulham-to-comfortable-win-over-the-baggies

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'The GOAT of the Championship', 'Privilege to watch' – These Fulham fans heap praise on 27-y/o after victory over West Brom

Fulham picked up a crucial three points as they beat promotion rivals West Brom 3-0 at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

Whilst there were several impressive performers for Marco Silva's side, Aleksandar Mitrovic was the man who made the difference once again.

The 27-year-old hit a hat-trick, with his first coming from the spot after he fortuitously was awarded a spot-kick, and he capitalised on a Robert Snodgrass error to double the advantage.

Then, he took home the match ball as he was positioned well to finish off after good work from Harry Wilson.

Incredibly, that takes the Serbian international to 18 goals from just 15 Championship games, with his importance to the team clear to see.

Therefore, it's no surprise to see Mitrovic came in for plenty of credit from the support, who are delighted with the contributions he is making every week, and particularly today.




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-goat-of-the-championship-privilege-to-watch-these-fulham-fans-heap-praise-on-27-y-o-after-victory-over-west-brom/

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Fulham 3-0 West Bromwich Albion, Championship: report, ratings and verdict

Fulham thumped promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion 3-0 courtesy of a Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick in a fiery Craven Cottage encounter.

Mitrovic opened the scoring in the 20th minute from the penalty spot after Kyle Bartley was adjudged to have fouled the forward in the box.

And it was 2-0 five minutes before half-time as Mitrovic pounced on a horrendous back pass by West Brom's Robert Snodgrass to coolly slotted home.

The Baggies tried to rally after the break with Conor Townsend producing a tantalising cross which none of his team-mates could connect with inside the six yard box.

However, West Brom continued to make mistakes at the back as Matthew Clarke's short back pass gave Neeskens Kebano an opportunity he couldn't take advantage of.

And things went from bad to worse for them when Darnell Furlong saw red in the 70th minute for hacking down Harry Wilson.

Mitrovic then scored his and Fulham's third eight minutes from time before Tosin Adarabioyo was sent-off late on for a high challenge.

Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below...
Key Moment

Fulham's second goal just before half-time was gifted to them by West Brom and the Cottagers were rarely threatened from that point onwards.
Moan of the Match

Any bit of attacking threat from West Brom was matched by disastrous defending and Fulham will have been disappointed to have not scored more.
Talking Point

Aleksandar Mitrovic has now scored eight goals in four games for Fulham. Could he break the Championship goal scoring record this season?
Man of the Match

Aleksandar Mitrovic – the Serbian will never score an easier hat-trick as he continues to fire Fulham to victory.
Tweet of the Match

Another solid win for @TonyKhan's @FulhamFC and Mitrovic making the game his own. Huge top of the table result that, they'll be back in the Prem they maintain this.

— GavTheGothicChav (@GavinJGriffiths) October 30, 2021

Referee Watch

Michael Salisbury (Lancashire) – struggled to deal with the encounter and arguably Fulham's penalty was a soft decision to make which even Mitrovic looked surprised at.
Atmosphere

You could hear the groans all the way from the Midlands when West Brom's Robert Snodgrass gifted Aleksandar Mitrovic his second goal.
Verdict

What was advertised as a clash between two potential Premier League sides ended up as a freebie for Fulham and a massive three points for the Cottagers.



https://londonfootballscene.co.uk/2021/10/30/fulham-3-0-west-bromwich-albion-championship-report-ratings-and-verdict/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic nets hat-trick as Fulham ease past 10-man West Brom
Republic of Ireland internationals Callum Robinson and Jayson Molumby were both introduced as second-half substitutes for West Brom.

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC MAINTAINED his stunning scoring streak with a hat-trick as Fulham claimed a 3-0 Championship victory over West Brom at Craven Cottage in a game that ended with both teams reduced to 10 men.

The result means Fulham opened up a four-point gap to third-placed Albion, while Valerian Ismael's side were forced to count the cost of a contentious penalty decision and a mistake by Robert Snodgrass that gifted the Cottagers a two-goal half-time lead.

The visitors were also unhappy with the decision to send off wing-back Darnell Furlong in the 70th minute, with Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo also collecting a red card in the 85th minute.

Mitrovic took full advantage of the chances that came his way, rapping up his second treble of the season in the 82nd minute as he scored for the fourth-successive match.

The striker has now scored eight goals during those last four games and his second treble of the season takes his tally so far this campaign to 18 league goals.

Albion found themselves trailing in the 20th minute after referee Michael Salisbury adjudged Kyle Bartley's challenge on Mitrovic to be a foul.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid's clever through ball picked out Mitrovic as he went on a run into the West Brom box and the striker went to ground as Bartley attempted to recover the ball.

The visitors contested the decision but – once the protests had died down – Mitrovic placed the resulting penalty beyond goalkeeper Sam Johnstone's dive.

The visitors' task became even harder five minutes before the interval when they gifted Fulham a second goal.

Prior to that, Albion had worked their way back into the game and were looking increasingly dangerous.

But they lost any momentum they were starting to build when Snodgrass played a backpass towards Johnstone without spotting Mitrovic lurking outside the area.

And the Fulham forward reacted sharply to intercept and direct the ball past the Albion keeper.

It was a long way back from that point for West Brom but they might have halved the deficit two minutes after the restart had Jordan Hugill managed to connect with Conor Townsend's cross.

West Brom boss Valérien Ismaël then sent on Republic of Ireland internationals Callum Robinson and Jayson Molumby as the half wore on.

Townsend was the Baggies' main threat and the left wing-back served up another good cross that Jake Livermore volleyed over from just four yards out.

There was more misery for Albion when Furlong was sent off in the 70th minute for a challenge on Harry Wilson, although the West Brom player protested he had made contact with the ball first.

Mitrovic added his third from close range after being set up by Wilson moments before Adarabioyo was sent off after an ugly challenge on Grady Diangana.



https://www.the42.ie/fulham-west-brom-championship-5587992-Oct2021/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic on course to smash Championship goal record after Fulham hat-trick

The Serbian goal machine notched a treble in his side's convincing 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion and surely now has Ivan Toney's goal record in his sights

Aleksandar Mitrovic is on course to smash the Championship's goalscoring record to smithereens.

This Saturday the Fulham striker netted his second hat-trick of the season in a hugely encouraging 3-0 home win over West Brom.

The result fired a marker to their divisional rivals and strengthens Fulham's grip on second spot. It moved them four clear of third-placed Baggies and to within two points of leaders Bournemouth who play later tonight.

Mitrovic now has a whopping 18 goals in the league already, after just 15 games.

If that form is extrapolated over the course of the season he could be threatening the 50-goal mark. The current goal record since the second tier became the Championship belongs to Brentford's Ivan Toney.

Toney hit 31 last term as the Bees sealed promotion to the Premier League.

There was a slight hint of fortune with some of Mitrovic's strikes today. His first was from the penalty spot when a spot-kick was awarded after Kyle Bartley was adjudged to have brought down the home striker. Replays suggested it was a harsh one for the Albion defender but Mitrovic showed no sympathy as he slotted it home.

His second came just before the break as he pounced on Robert Snodgrass' weak backpass. And the 27-year-old completed his treble near the end when he tapped in Harry Wilson's centre.

Both teams ended the game with 10 men after Darnell Furlong was shown red for Albion and home defender Tosin Adarabioyo was also given his marching orders.

That failed to take the gloss off Mitrovic's afternoon as he continued his outstanding record in this division.

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Mitrovic said: "It was a really important game for us. We've had a good couple of wins and it was the right moment for us to play an important game like this.

"We deserved to win today."

On the controversial penalty incident, he said: "Yeah I felt contact. I don't know what happened before.

"If it was a penalty or not, I don't know. I didn't see the video.

"Sometimes we get penalties against us, sometimes it's offside. Sometimes during the season you get them (decisions), sometimes not. That's football."

He is now well over halfway towards Toney's landmark tally and still has a whopping 31 games left to beat it.

But he insists he isn't focusing on that.

"I just keep going game-by-game," he added. "I try to score as much as possible and for me the most important thing is that we're playing well as a team.

"Today we showed a lot of good qualities, on and off the ball, against a really good side.

"Playing like this, I'm sure I'm going to score a lot of goals. I know the chances will come and it's about being ready to put them in the net."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mitrovic-smash-championship-goal-record-25336531

[WhiteJC]

Mitrovic treble gives Fulham win over WBA

Aleksandar Mitrovic has maintained his stunning scoring streak with all three goals as Fulham defeated Championship promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion 3-0.

The result means Fulham opened up a four-point gap to third-placed Albion, while Valerian Ismael's side were forced to count the cost of a contentious penalty decision and a mistake by Robert Snodgrass that gifted the Cottagers a two-goal half-time lead.

The visitors were also unhappy with the decision to send off wing-back Darnell Furlong in the 70th minute, with Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo also collecting a red card in the 85th minute.

Mitrovic took full advantage of the chances that came his way, wrapping up his second treble of the season in the 82nd minute as he scored for the fourth-successive match.

Coventry City stayed fourth with a one-nil win at Hull City while Huddersfield, 1-0 winners at home to Millwall, and Blackpool, who also won 1-0, at Sheffield United, joined them in the play-off places.

Stoke dropped out, stunned by a comeback from 3-0 down by managerless Cardiff City. Former player Steve Morison is caretaker after Mick McCarthy was sacked last week.

Wayne Rooney's Derby County remain bottom after losing 2-1 at home to Blackburn, both goals scored by Chilean international Ben Brereton Diaz.

While that was Derby's first home defeat of the season Bristol City won their first home match since January, beating Barnsley 2-1.

There were also wins for Swansea, Preston and Birmingham.



https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/mitrovic-treble-gives-fulham-win-over-wba-c-4375370

[WhiteJC]

Mitrovic treble beats the Baggies

A hat-trick from Aleksandar Mitrovic ensured Fulham cruised through their lunchtime showdown with promotion rivals West Brom and consolidated their hold on the second Championship automatic promotion places. Mitrovic was the beneficiary of a generous refereeing decision when a debatable penalty was awarded against the unfortunate Kyle Bartley before profiting from a diabolical backpass from Robert Snodgrass to double the hosts' lead. He completed his third Fulham hat trick from close range with eight minutes remaining, turning home Harry Wilson's cross after a flowing move.

The only blot on Fulham's copybook was the late sending off of Tosin Adarabioyo, so imposing on the back in recent weeks, for a horrible lunge at Grady Diangana. Adarabioyo will now miss Fulham's next three fixtures and he was the second man to see red after Darnell Furlong was dismissed for bringing down Wilson as the Welsh winger bore down on goal. Marco Silva's side were comfortable by this point – but the head coach won't be happy with such a senseless loss of control.

An even opening saw Matt Phillips denied a clear sight of goal by a timely Tim Ream block before an innovative corner routine saw Neeskens Kebano tee up Wilson on the edge of the box, with the returning Jake Livermore getting in the way of a goalbound effort. Kebano, lively all afternoon again, tried his luck from range after the visitors had half cleared a free-kick but his volley flew fractionally wide. The hosts were attacking with increasing intensity, but the game's decisive moment came shortly afterwards.

Denis Odoi, rewarded for his consistency since replacing Kenny Tete with another start, nipped in to pinch possession and fed Bobby Decordova-Reid, who burst through the inside right channel. He slipped a ball into the penalty area that Mitrovic pursued with Bartley and referee Michael Salisbury pointed to the spot after the Serbian ended up on the turf. Television replays suggested Bartley got plenty of the ball and could consider himself distinctly unfortunate. After a significant delay, Mitrovic stroked the spot kick beyond Sam Johnstone and into the bottom right corner.

Fulham might have had a second immediately afterwards when a sensational bit of skill saw Kebano bamboozle a couple of Baggies defenders to set up Jean Michael Seri, but the Ivorian blazed over from ten yards. West Brom managed a spirited riposte with Phillips shooting over when well placed and Bartley heading wide at the far post. Marek Rodak made a smart reaction save to claw Matt Clarke's header away from the top corner after the Brighton loanee had been left unattended at a free-kick and the Slovakian goalkeeper had to be alert to claim Bartley's header at the far post from a well worked corner.

But the visitors pressed the self destruct button five minutes before the break. Seri snapped at the heels of Snodgrass whose underhit pass had no chance of reaching Johnstone. Mitrovic latched onto the gift in a flash, sliding in to snaffle a crucial second to give Fulham some breathing space. It could have been vital had the Baggies taken several second half chances as Valerian Ismael's side set out to prove a point after the break. A careless concession of possession by Seri saw Valerian Ismael's side break at pace with Karlan Grant teeing up Conor Townsend but the wing back's strike whistled wide.

They were still living dangerous at the back and almost became the architects of their own downfall again when a dreadful pass from Clarke put Kebano in the clear but the Congolese winger rolled his measured finish agonisingly wide of the far post. Adarabioyo blocked a Grant effort at the other end before a devilish delivering from Townsend presented Livermore with a glorious opportunity, but the England international skied his finish on the stretch from five yards. Any hope Ismael's side had of a revival disappeared with Furlong with twenty minutes to play – with Salisbury showing red after he had slid in as last minute to challenge Wilson. The West Brom wing back again got plenty of the ball before his studs caught the Fulham winger.

The hosts could have quickly added a third with Decordova-Reid and Kebano going close before Johnstone produced a fine reaction save to keep out Adarabioyo's header. He was powerless to prevent Mitrovic from completing his hat trick from a couple of yards, though, after magical footwork from Wilson along the byline. The Serbian striker now has eight goals in his last four matches – and appears unstoppable. Adarabioyo's studs up lunge on Diangana apart – this was the perfect afternoon for Fulham.

FULHAM (4-3-2-1): Rodak; Odoi, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Reed (Carvalho 84), Seri; Wilson, Kebano (Cairney 84), Decordova-Reid; Mitrovic (Muniz 84). Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Tete, Hector, Onomah.

SENT OFF: Adarabioyo.

GOALS: Mitrovic (pen 20, 40, 82).

WEST BROMWICH ALBION (3-4-2-1): Johnstone; Bartley, Ajayi, Clarke; Furlong, Townsend, Snodgrass, Livermore; Phillips (Diangana 59), Grant (Molumby 73); Hugill (C. Robinson 59). Subs (not used): Button, Kipre, K. Bryan, Reach.

BOOKED: Ajayi, Bartley, Snodgrass.

SENT OFF: Furlong.

REFEREE: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire)

ATTENDANCE: 18,103.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/10/mitrovic-treble-beats-the-baggies/

[WhiteJC]

Silva salutes 'brilliant' Fulham display

Marco Silva saluted a superb effort from his Fulham side after the Whites blew away promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion in the early kick off at Craven Cottage.

Aleskandar Mitrovic scored a hat trick to take his tally to eighteen goals in fifteen matches and the Fulham boss was delighted with the manner of his side's commanding victory. Silva told his post-match press conference:

"I am really pleased, not just because we won the game, the way we won. I told my players after the match that they were brilliant. Everything I asked them, our plan, they did it in the way we prepared, and they enjoyed it. We knew before the match, we analysed out opponent, we knew they had a strong part and a weakness, and in their strong part we did really, really well. We deal with them, they are physical."

The way we scored the first two goals. The way we worked to start to challenge all the moments, the way we pressed them. The first goal started from a moment we pressed them, a fantastic reaction from Denis, we pressed in the second goal from Bobby. It was a very good afternoon for us, congratulations for our players, they were brilliant, and our fans as well. Now it is a moment for us to rest and prepare the next one.

Silva was especially pleased with a third consecutive clean sheet.

"Again, we scored three goals, but for me doing it with a clean sheet, I am delighted. They know how important it is for me as a manager, how it is important for us as a team as well. We are an offensive team; our idea is clear what we are building here in this football club. But for us to play, to be comfortable in the game and in all situations, we have to be balanced."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/10/silva-salutes-brilliant-fulham-display/

[WhiteJC]

Marco Silva speaks out over Fulham man's links to Cardiff

Cardiff have been on the hunt for a new manager and one name that has been thrown up is Luis Boa Morte – but Fulham boss Marco Silva has told West London Sport that he isn't thinking about losing the coach.

Cardiff have been on the hunt for a new manager and one name that has been thrown up is Luis Boa Morte – but Fulham boss Marco Silva has told West London Sport that he isn't thinking about losing the coach.

The Cottagers have looked sharp so far this season and are certainly on track to try and get a promotion back up and into the Premier League. Under the management of Marco Silva, they have already picked up some impressive results and are right near the top of the league table.

The entire backroom team has done well to get Fulham to where they are right now – and it has led divisional rivals Cardiff to consider an approach for Luis Boa Morte, who is currently assistant manager at the side.

The 44-year-old played in England for the Cottagers and West Ham before hanging up his boots and turning to coaching. Now back at his former club in an assistant manager's role, he is now drawing attention from elsewhere according to Wales Online.

However, current boss Marco Silva has spoken to West London Sport about losing the coach and has suggested that his attentions have been elsewhere this week.

He said: "It's not our focus.

"Our energies are for the match against West Brom and preparing our players. If he's linked it means someone is looking at Fulham Football Club and they are happy with what Fulham are doing on the pitch, and this is the main thing for me."

The Verdict

There are several candidates available for the managerial role at Cardiff but it looks like Marco Silva is not prepared to think about potentially losing his right-hand man to a divisional rival.

However, if Fulham continue to excel, with Boa Morte helping alongside the manager, then he could soon be snapped up for a head role of his own.

Boa Morte is another potential appointment for Cardiff that represents a gamble. The Bluebirds and Boa Morte could be a risk that ultimately pays off but with very little previous actual managerial experience, it could also backfire.

It's good to give younger coaches the opportunity to take on the main role. Cardiff though are in a situation where it may be more beneficial to look elsewhere.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/marco-silva-speaks-out-over-fulham-mans-links-to-cardiff/

[WhiteJC]

Mitrovic: 'I'm in the best form of my life'

Aleksandar Mitrovic says he is in the 'best form of my life' after his hat-trick helped Fulham to see off West Brom and consolidate their hold on second place in the Championship.

The Serbian striker, a peripheral figure under Scott Parker as the Whites were relegated from the Premier League last year, has now scored eighteen goals in fifteen games this term. He looks rejuvenated under new head coach Marco Silva and told FFCTV after the final whistle:

"This is the best form I have had in my life. I feel good, I feel confident. In this team, on the pitch I know that I have a lot of quality around me, I know that the manager really trusts in my abilities and trusts in myself. We play good football, we have a good time – why not be confident? We show every game that our confidence is growing, that we grow us a team. Today was a big, big game and I will enjoy it before recovering to focus on another big game on Wednesday."

Mitrovic was delighted with his second hat trick of the season that proved enough to decisively settle this battle between two of the favourites for promotion.

"I'm happy with three of goals of course. I'm happy with the performance. I thought we had a really good game, both offensively and defensively, both sides of the games. I thought we deserved the win.

I scored three different goals. I'm still ready always. I know the chances will come. I have quality players around me. Even when we are defending, we defend high and as a striker you always think what will happen and where you want be. I was in the right place, at the right time. Two goals were easy goals, but I think they come from staying sharp."

He admitted that the penalty awarded against Kyle Bartley could have been considered soft and felt his second strike was a reward for remaining switched on even when West Brom held possession.

"The penalty was a soft one. I felt the contact and went down. I saw the video. It was a soft contact – you could argue if it was a penalty or not. The contact exists and that's how the referee it. I practice penalties always after training. I knew where I was going. I stayed calm, take a deep breath and try to put the ball where I want.

We know they are a little bit open. We tried to press them a little bit higher to make them take a risk. Mika had really good pressure. I saw that Mika was coming and tried to predict that Mika would take the ball or something would happen. I tried to stay sharp and when the ball came I saw the chance, I saw the keeper was a little bit out of the goal, so I knew that I had to move quickly so I slide in to score the goal."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/10/mitrovic-im-in-the-best-form-of-my-life/

[WhiteJC]

Robinson revels in 'massive' win

Fulham full back Antonee Robinson felt the win over West Brom this afternoon sent out a 'statement' to the rest of the Championship about their promotion credentials.

The Whites swept aside the Baggies, who were third at the start of play, thanks to a hat-trick from Aleksandar Mitrovic at Craven Cottage and the American international was in doubt as to the importance of this victory. He told FFCTV:

"It's massive. It is an opportunity for us to put a statement out there that we're a serious team and we're here to win as many games as possible. We come up against a strong opponent like that and I feel like we dominated the game comfortably so it's a big step in the right direction for us.

"We're putting in that form that we know we can do. Putting in great performances like that – if we keep doing that then the results take care of itself. It helps when you've got Mitro up front, who puts goals away for fun. Every time we serve it looks like he's going to get on the end of it. It's a big outlet. Especially playing against teams with high pressure you never know when you're going to need to clear the ball, so having Mitro up top – even selflessly running in behind at times, but holding the ball up and laying it off to Keba and Harry Wilson, who are dangerous themselves, it's a good recipe."

Robinson praised head coach Marco Silva for instructing his side to press West Brom high – a tactic that Valerian Ismael's men use themselves relentlessly – which resulted in the hosts taking a decisive grip on the contest before half time.

"Our first two goals came from putting high pressure on them and forcing those mistakes. That's credit to the gaffer for realising that's one of their weaknesses and we pounced on it."




https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/10/robinson-revels-in-massive-win/

[WhiteJC]

U18s lose to Leicester at the death

Fulham's under 18s fell to their second defeat of the season after conceding a late winner away at Leicester this afternoon. Jack Butterfil drove home the decisive goal from Kian Pennant's cross with three minutes to play as the young Foxes climbed to the top of the southern division table.

It was a disappointing reverse for Ali Melloul's young side, who slipped to fifth having struggled to carve out clear cut chances in the course of a frustrating afternoon. The hosts were on the front foot from the outset with the recalled Alfie McNally saving from Pennant after three minutes and skipper Joe Wormleighton lashing over as Leicester laid early siege to the Fulham goal. Harvey Araujo blocked an effort from the lively Pennant and, although Michael Olakigbe looked lively out wide, the visitors' only serious opening arrived on the stroke of half time when Olakigbe was denied by Arlo Doherty.

Fulham began more purposefully in the second period. Olly Sanderson almost produced another superb strike from distance but Doherty pulled off an outstanding save at full stretch as the striker's effort appeared destined for the top corner. The hosts responded with a fine run and cross from Henry Cartwright that saw a succession of shots blocked by the away defence. Olakigbe spurned a glorious opportunity when he shot straight at the keeper after excellent approach play from Imani Lanquedoc.

Pennant skied over after terrific play from Woremleighton before Fulham went close at the other end when both Jaylan Wildbore and Matt Dibley-Dias narrowly missed the target. An open finale produced a winner for the Foxes when substitute Butterfil gleefully thumped home a precise Pennant cross – and the hosts survived a desperate Fulham onslaught to claim all three points.

LEICESTER CITY UNDER 18s (3-5-2): Doherty; Wilson-Brown, Grist, Godsmark-Ford; Wormleighton, Lindsay, Cover (Butterfil 70), Dawkins, Cartwright; Popov, Pennant. Subs (not used): Chibueze, Lewis, Read, Kutshienza.

GOAL: Butterfil (87).

FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-3-3): McNally; Tanton, de Fougerolles, C. Robinson, Araujo; McCoy-Splatt, Dibley-Dias, Harris; Lanquedoc (Wildbore 71), Olakigbe, Sanderson. Subs (not used): Works, Okkas, Caton, Parker.

BOOKED: Tanton, Harris.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/10/u18s-lose-to-leicester-at-the-death/