Monday Fulham Stuff - 15/11/21...

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Robinson revels in key USA victory over Mexico

Antonee Robinson played the full ninety minutes last night as the United States crept closer towards World Cup qualification with a massive 2-0 over Mexico in Cincinnati.

The Fulham full back put in a performance full of energy and zest as Gregg Berhalter's side overcame their bitter rivals thanks to second half goals from substitute Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Robinson celebrated with a section of Fulham supporters in the crowd after the final whistle, handing over his shirt to one fortunate fan having spotted a Fulham flag during his lap of honour.

The Americans moved to the top of the CONCACAF qualifying table on goal difference from Mexico, with Canada in third following their victory over Costa Rica. The USA play Jamaica, who drew 1-1 against El Salvador with Bobby Decordova-Reid playing more than an hour in central midfield, in Kingston on Tuesday night.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/robinson-revels-in-key-usa-victory-over-mexico/

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Napoli have doubled Anguissa's value after Fulham

Napoli are confident they've got a bargain agreeing a €15m deal with Fulham for Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, with reports his transfer value has already doubled.

The midfielder turns 26 next week and arrived on loan for €600,000 on transfer deadline day, with an option to buy for €15m.

He made an immediate impact in Serie A and became a cast-iron regular in Luciano Spalletti's line-up.

According to La Repubblica, Napoli are rubbing their hands with glee after agreeing the €15m option, because if they had tried to negotiate that deal just a few months later, Anguissa would've cost approximately double that sum.

The Cameroon international's transfer value has soared to circa €25-30m after just 14 appearances in the Napoli jersey, between Serie A and the Europa League.

The Partenopei are currently joint top of the Serie A table with Milan, the only two clubs in Europe's leading five leagues who are still unbeaten.



https://football-italia.net/napoli-have-doubled-anguissas-value-after-fulham/

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Fulham Transfer Talking Points: Fabio Carvalho dilemma, Jean Michael Seri's contract situation and will they spend in January?

Fulham have been in scintillating form so far this season following their relegation back to the Championship.

Last Saturday's gritty 1-0 win over Peterborough helped them close the gap to Bournemouth who sit top of the league to two points. It also meant the Cottagers had won their last six games, increasing the gap above third place West Brom to six points.

It seems that in those last six games, Fulham went up to another level of which not many in the division will be able to compete with.

With the January transfer window looming, keeping hold of certain players as well as adding some more quality to their ranks may be the difference between finishing second and first.

So with that in mind, we've taken a look at some of the main transfer talking points at Fulham in the lead-up to the January window, right here.

Will they sell Fabio Carvalho?
There's an argument to be had that Fulham's dip in form after the September international break was the same time that Fabio Carvalho dropped out of the side.

His form in the early stages in the season was incredible for a 19 year old and his creative stats in those games were the best in the league at the time.

However, after contract talks stalled between Fulham and Carvalho, it remains to be seen where the attacker may spend the rest of the season.

He's been linked with moves to Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and even Barcelona and with the teenagers contract coming to an end this season, Fulham will need to make a decision on whether keeping him for their promotion bid is the best choice for them.

Will they sell Jean Michael Seri?
Seri has been in top form for Fulham this season, often dominating midfields by himself.

It's clear he has the quality to play at a higher level which is why it was a surprise when Marco Silva stated Seri would be staying at Fulham this season.

The Ivorian's contract expires at the end of the current campaign and it would be a shock if the Cottagers weren't looking to extend that – perhaps on a lower salary though.

However, having spent over £20m on the midfielder, allowing him to walk away for free at the end of the season would be a huge blow for the West London side if it were to happen.

Will there be funds to add to the squad in January?
It's clear Fulham are one of the more wealthier sides in the Championship this season.

They have a Premier League squad who are earning Premier League wages but having the most money in the league doesn't guarantee success.

Fulham still have weaknesses in their side despite their huge array of talent at the club.

For example, centre back still looks like a weak area as well as a reliance on top scorer Aleksander Mitrovic.

That being said, bringing in one or two players to cover those areas may help push Fulham over the line this season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-transfer-talking-points-fabio-carvalho-dilemma-jean-michael-seris-contract-situation-and-will-they-spend-in-january/

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Women Beat Fulham to Go Through in the Women's FA Cup

REPORT: Fulham 0 Oxford United 3

Oxford United Women enjoyed a superb Women's FA Cup win today as they won 3-0 away at Fulham.

Goals from Sarah King, Beth Lumsden and Daisy Ackerman saw the U's go through with a thorougly professional performance at Motspur Park

Despite having captain Lauren Haynes ruled out United started the game well and created chances in the first half although they were grateful to Lily Stevens for one fine challenge half way through the first half to prevent the home side taking the lead.

Instead it was the U's who led at the break when Lumsden crossed into the box, Sophie Baker dummied and King fired home in the last minute of the half.

As expected, Fulham came back strongly and United had to show all their resilience to keep their lead intact but on 74 minutes Daisy McLachlan squared for top scorer Lumsden who buried the ball beyond the keeper to make it 2-0.

The game went end to end as Fulham chased the game but in injury time the U's made the game safe as Mackenzie chased a lost cause and crossed for Ackerman to spark joyous scenes as United sealed the win.

Manager Liam Gilbert was naturally delighted with his team

"I thought it was a tremendous cup tie and credit to Fulham who gave us a hell of a game; I can see why they are doing well in their league and will be climbing the pyramid.

"But we matched their work rate, like we knew we had to, and to have three different scorers as well as a clean sheet was pleasing. Fair play to everyone involved and we look forward to the next round."



https://www.oufc.co.uk/women/news/2021/november/match-report-for-fulham-ladies-vs-oxford-united-on-14-nov-21/

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Portugal 1-2 Serbia

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in the 90th minute to send Serbia to the World Cup next year.

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a dramatic late winner as Serbia booked their place at next year's World Cup and condemned Portugal to the play-offs.

Hosts Portugal only needed a draw to qualify and looked to have done enough, with Renato Sanches' opener cancelled out by Dusan Tadic's equaliser.

Mitrovic, who started the game on the bench, was sent on at half-time but Portugal were wise to his threat and kept him largely quiet.

However, the home side let their concentration slip in the final seconds and Mitrovic pulled away from his marker to meet Tadic's deep ball and send a downward header into the back of the net.

The goal prompted wild celebrations on the bench and on the pitch from the Serbia players and staff while the Portuguese team stood in disbelief with the home crowd silenced.

Serbia finish top of Group A with 20 points, three more than Portugal, whose hopes of playing in Qatar next year rest on two rounds of play-offs in March.

The defeat also ended Portugal's unbroken winning run in home World Cup qualifiers which had stretched back to October 2013.

It had looked like being a long night for the visitors after they fell behind inside just two minutes when Sanches finished confidently after Bernardo Silva had won possession.

But Serbia did not let their heads drop and deservedly equalised when Rui Patricio failed to keep out Tadic's shot, which crept over the line.

Cristiano Ronaldo, himself familiar with scoring late goals with Manchester United this season, was quiet and came closest with a free-kick in the first half.

Instead it was Mitrovic who provided the drama in the closing stages as his header secured a famous win for Serbia.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59282726

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Mitrovic heads Serbia into World Cup finals

Twelve months after missing the decisive spot-kick as Serbia were beaten in a European Championship play-off by Scotland, Aleksandar Mitrovic delivered redemption by heading Serbia into the World Cup finals with a last-minute winner over Portugal in Lisbon tonight.

The Fulham striker, introduced as a half-time substitute in their must win final group game, headed Dusan Tadic's deep cross down into the ground and past Rui Patricio to condemn the Portuguese to the play-offs. Mitrovic was mobbed by delirious team-mates as the Serbians celebrated a momentous victory.

Dragan Stokjovic's side had to win in the Estadio de Luz and Portugal's unbeaten run in home World Cup qualifiers since 2013 didn't look under threat when they took the lead inside two minutes. Renato Sanches fired the hosts ahead after Nemanja Gudelj had lost possession from goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic's pass. Serbia furiously protested that their holding midfielder had been fouled but the goal was given.

Serbia threw bodies forward and Mitrovic's replacement in the starting line-up, Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic, was desperately unlucky to strike the base of the far post midway through the first half. They grabbed a crucial equaliser when Tadic's shot deflected off Danilo and wrongfooted Rui Patricio, who smuggled it over his own goal line.

Mitrovic, already Serbia's leading international goalscorer with 44 goals from 69 appearances, has netted twenty goals in seventeen league appearances for Fulham so far this season.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/mitrovic-heads-serbia-into-world-cup-finals/

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Mitro Sends Serbia To The World Cup!

Aleksandar Mitrović struck a 90th minute winner to secure Serbia's place at the 2022 World Cup on Sunday evening.

Serbia travelled to Lisbon knowing that only victory would confirm their place in Qatar, while a point would have been enough for Portugal to top Group A.

Mitrović began the game on the bench, but was introduced at half-time having watched his side fight back to equalise through Dusan Tadic after Renato Sanches' early opener.

With nothing between the sides, it looked as though Serbia were destined for the Play-Offs, until Mitrović rose highest in the final minute to stick a downwards header in at the near post, sparking jubilant scenes.

It was his 23rd goal of the season for club and country.

Congratulations Mitro!




https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/november/14/mitro-sends-serbia-to-the-world-cup/

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Scotland could face Ronaldo in play-off shoot-out as Aleksandar Mitrovic stuns Portugal to snatch Qatar place

The Serbs shocked their hosts with a last-gasp goal as Mitrovic makes up for penalty failure against Scotland

Scotland could face Cristiano Rolando in the World Cup play-offs after Serbia stunned Portugal to qualify.

Just over a year since he was the penalty villain against the Scots as he fluffed his lines and his country's chances of reaching Euro 2020, Aleksandar Mitrovic was the her with his historic winner in Lisbon.

The Portuguese were expected to confirm their place in Qatar with a win and looked like they'd get the job done after Renato Sanchez put them ahead after just two minutes.

The Serbs hit back though as Dusan Tadic levelled things up on 33 minutes.

And wild scenes were sparked in the last minute as Mitrovic hit a dramatic late winner to make amends for his penalty miss against David Marshall and send his nation t the World Cup finals.

Ronaldo now faces the prospect of missing out on what will almost certainly be his last World Cup.



https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/scotland-could-face-ronaldo-play-22165109

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Mitrovic's 90th-minute winner sends Serbia to the World Cup and Portugal to the play-offs

Serbia top Group A with dramatic 2-1 in Lisbon while Spain and Croatia stamp their tickets to Qatar.

CRISTIANO RONALDO'S HOPES of playing in a record-equalling fifth World Cup hang in the balance after Serbia stunned Portugal 2-1 in Lisbon to win Group A and qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

Ronaldo already holds the record of playing in five European Championships and looked well on course for another milestone as Portgual stormed out of the blocks to open the scoring after just two minutes through Renato Sanches.

However, Serbia bounced back to dominate the remainder of the first half and deservedly levelled when Dusan Tadic's strike squeezed in off the post after Dusan Vlahovic had hit the woodwork.

Ronaldo was kept quiet as another chance to score his 800th career goal came and went.

Instead it was Aleksandar Mitrovic who grabbed the vital goal as stoppage time approached.

Just over a year ago, Mitrovic was the villain for his country as he was the only player to fail to score in a penalty shootout against Scotland that saw Serbia miss out on Euro 2020.

However, the Fulham striker made amends in dramatic fashion when he steered in Tadic's header at the back post.

Portugal must now navigate two tricky one-off playoff matches in March to maintain their record of qualifying for every major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

Elsewhere, Spain and Croatia secured their places in Qatar thanks to 1-0 wins over Sweden and Russia respectively.

Spain made sure they avoided the playoffs as Alvaro Morata's goal four minutes from time ended Sweden's resistence in Seville.

The Swedes' shock 2-0 defeat to Kazakhstan on Thursday had handed Spain pole position in Group B, meaning La Roja just needed a point to qualify.

Luis Enrique's men were grateful for that reprieve as for a long time a repeat of the stalemate between the sides when they met in the group stages of Euro 2020 was on the cards.

Morata was the fall guy that night for missing a host of chances, but made his mark off the bench with a calm finish after Robin Olsen had turned Dani Olmo's blistering shot onto the bar.

Croatia also needed a late winner as an own goal from Fedor Kudryashov snatched qualification from Russia in a battle in boggy conditions in Split.

Finalists at the last World Cup in 2018, Croatia looked bound for the playoffs as they toiled on a waterlogged pitch against a resolute Russian defence.

But Kudryashov's error saw them snatch top spot from the visitors eight minutes from time.

"It was a difficult match from the beginning because of the rain. We never gave up, we were patient and I think we won deservedly. We are the best team in this group," said Croatia captain Luka Modric.

Germany had long since booked their place in Qatar, but rounded off their qualifying campaign with a 4-1 thrashing of Armenia as Ilkay Gundogan scored twice.

North Macedonia secured the playoff place behind the four-time world champions with a 3-1 win over Iceland.



https://www.the42.ie/aleksandar-mitrovic-serbia-beat-portugal-5601835-Nov2021/

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Mitrovic 'overjoyed' after last gasp winner

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic admitted he was lost for words after scoring the goal that sent Serbia to the World Cup tonight.

Having been sent on as a half time substitute, Mitrovic punished the Portugal defence for leaving him unmarked at the far post with a powerful downward header past Rui Patricio to clinch qualification for the Qatar finals in the last minute in Lisbon.

The in-form centre forward told Serbian television after the final whistle:

"I cannot find a word to describe my happiness, joy and pride. I have an incredible feeling. We are leaving here with a great victory. We came here to play football and having been the better side, we earned it all. We are reaping the rewards of hard work and the belief that we would be able to defy the odds and beat Portugal. We are overjoyed, for our country and the people first and foremost".



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/mitrovic-overjoyed-after-last-gasp-winner/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic insists Serbia 'were the better side and earned it all' against Portugal as matchwinner basks in sealing his country's 2022 World Cup spot at Cristiano Ronaldo and Co's expense in decisive qualifier

    Aleksandar Mitrovic put Serbia through to the World Cup by beating Portugal 2-1
    Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal needed just a point to go through over Serbia
    Mitrovic struck late on after Dusan Tadic cancelled out Renato Sanches' goal
    Ronaldo's Portugal now have to qualify for the World Cup via March's play-offs
    Mitrovic claims Serbia were well worth their victory in Lisbon on Sunday night

Serbia hero Aleksandar Mitrovic admitted his team were the better side against Portugal as they sealed qualification to the FIFA World Cup at Cristiano Ronaldo and Co's expense.

The Fulham forward headed home a 90th-minute winner to earn a 2-1 victory for the Serbians in Lisbon, which ensured the visitors topped the group and earned direct progression to next winter's finals in Qatar.

That leaves Portugal in second place, with Ronaldo's nation now forced to earn World Cup qualification via the play-offs in March. But for in-form Mitrovic, their focus can now go towards Qatar and the Serbian striker could not be more delighted.


Serbia matchwinner Aleksandar Mitrovic said his country deserved to beat Portugal 2-1


Mitrovic struck in stoppage time to earn a 2-1 win and send Serbia through to the World Cup

'We came here to play football and having been the better side, we earned it all,' he told Serbia's Nova television.

'We are reaping the rewards of hard work and the belief that we would be able to defy the odds and beat Portugal.

'We are overjoyed, for our country and the people first and foremost.'

Serbia went into Sunday night's qualifier knowing they needed to win to progress to the finals, with Portugal topping the group and going through with any other result.

Portugal got off to the best possible start when Renato Sanches, who started ahead of Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes for the crucial qualifier, put the hosts in front after just two minutes following good work from Bernardo Silva.


The result consigned Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to a play-off spot for next year's World Cup

But Serbian responded well to going behind early on, with Dusan Vlahovic striking the woodwork before Dusan Tadic equalised via a strike that went through goalkeeper Rui Patricio's body and over the line.

Serbia continued to knock on the door with Vlahovic and half-time substitute Mitrovic going close after the break, but the Fulham forward - who 20 goals for the Cottagers already this season - scoring his eighth goal in eight internationals in 2021 via a dramatic stoppage time header.

Serbia boss Dragan Stojkovic, who will take his country to the World Cup for the first time as national team manager next year, agreed with Mitrovic that his side were well worth their win on Sunday.


Mitrovic headed home a 90th-minute winner as Serbia completed victory after going behind

'We deserved to win tonight as the lads showed so much character,' he added. 'This is a massive accomplishment for Serbian football.

'The team showed maturity and composure under the most intense pressure and I would have said the same thing if it had stayed 1-1 and we got confined to the playoffs.'

Portugal, meanwhile, will join a play-off group that contains the likes of Sweden, Scotland, Russia as confirmed second-placed teams, while Poland are likely to join them on Monday.

They could be joined by the likes of Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Ukraine, Wales, Czech Republic, North Macedonia or Romania - depending on the rest of the week's results.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10202129/Aleksandar-Mitrovic-claims-Serbia-better-dramatic-2-1-victory-Portugal.html

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Cristiano Ronaldo furious as Mitrovic grabs last-gasp winner for Serbia

Portugal were seconds away from qualification

Portugal have failed to book their automatic qualification spot in next summer's winter's (still feels weird) World Cup after a late, late Aleksandar Mitrovic winner consigned them to the play-offs.

Cristiano Ronaldo and co. needed just a single point to confirm their place in Qatar after being held to a goalless draw by Ireland in Dublin last week. They made the perfect start, too, with Renato Sanches giving them a lead inside the opening two minutes of the game at the Estadio da Luz.

Serbia, needing to win the game to leapfrog Portugal and take Group A's automatic qualification place, refused to wilt, and drew level shortly after half-time through Ajax's former Southampton playmaker Dusan Tadic.

Fulham striker Mitrovic was later sent on at half-time to give Serbia more of a physical presence up top. And in the final minute of regulation time, the move paid off.

After a lapse in concentration in the Portuguese defence, Mitrovic found himself in acres of space at the back post as a deep cross was floated towards him. His downward header bounced beyond Rui Patricio and into the net, silencing the Lisbon crowd and sparking wild scenes of celebrations from Serbia's players.

The defeat has ended Portugal's unbroken winning run in home World Cup qualifiers, which stretched back to October of 2013.

Ronaldo, who was largely anonymous throughout the game, struggled to hide his disappointment at full-time, with some reports claiming he was even in tears at Portugal's failure to get the job done. At 36, the tournament in Qatar could be his last ever World Cup.

While Serbia have now secured their spot, Portugal must try and do so via a two-game play-off in March.



https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/late-mitrovic-goal-costs-portugal-automatic-world-cup-qualification-300008

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Napoli handed potential boost in pursuit of Fulham's Anguissa

Napoli are 'confident' that they have a €15million option to make Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's loan from Fulham permanent after his impressive start to life in Serie A.

Anguissa, 25, joined Napoli on loan from Fulham earlier in the campaign.

Since, the Cameroonian has been a hit with fans and has played a huge role in seeing Napoli go unbeaten in their opening 12 Serie A fixtures where they sit joint-top of the table with Milan.

There's been a lot of speculation surrounding Anguissa's future – the club have been linked with a permanent move alongside Crystal Palace, who are reportedly hoping to hijack Napoli's swoop for the Fulham man.

Now though, a report from Football Italia claims that Napoli are confident that they have a €15million release clause in Anguissa's loan deal which for them is good, as the report goes on to reveal how they believe Anguissa's transfer value would've 'doubled' during his time on loan in Italy.

Fulham in a sticky situation?
Fulham saw how good Anguissa was last season – he proved a quality addition to their Premier League ranks and there was no way he'd be staying for this season in the Championship.

But given how well he's fared at Napoli and also the fact that he's attracting interest from the likes of Crystal Palace too, Fulham might now find themselves in a difficult position.

It was reported all along that Napoli had a buyout clause in Anguissa's deal. Now it's a question of how much that buyout clause is and whether Fulham will get value for money – Anguissa has been a hit in Naples and they're seemingly rubbing their hands at the prospect of buying him for just €15million



https://the72.co.uk/255450/napoli-handed-potential-boost-in-pursuit-of-fulhams-anguissa/