Sunday Fulham Stuff - 28/11/21...

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Results

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

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Preston North End 1-1 Fulham

Preston sub Ched Evans' controversial equaliser against Fulham was his second goal in five days

Preston North End came from behind to take a point as they drew at home to Championship leaders Fulham.

Tim Ream's 15th-minute strike, his first goal in almost four years, earned Marco Silva's men a deserved first-half lead.

Jean Michael Seri swung over a dangerous free-kick from the right and Ream arrived at the near post to poke home on the volley.

But North End hit back to dominate the second half, although their 72nd-minute equaliser was a touch controversial as they survived two potential shouts for handball.

Substitute Ched Evans made an undetected run to meet Ben Whiteman's inswinging left-wing corner, his header cannoned into the arm of team-mate Emil Riis, then ended up being helped into the back of the net off Evans' own upper arm.


Tim Ream's goal at Deepdale was only his third in 227 games for Fulham - and his first since Boxing Day 2017

It was Evans' second goal in five days after also coming off the bench to equalise in Tuesday's 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.

Having improved towards the of the first half, Preston almost levelled early in the second when Tosin Adarabioyo blocked from close-range after Sean Maguire had flicked on Whiteman's free-kick, awarded for Antonee Robinson's crude challenge on Tom Barkhuizen.

Riis, with a curler, and Ali McCann with a shot narrowly wide, also threatened prior to Evans' equaliser - and home skipper Alan Browne then drove an angled effort just over - but a draw was the fairest outcome.

After being held to a second successive draw, Fulham could have been toppled from the head of the Championship, but 10-man Bournemouth surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw at home to Coventry City.

Fulham host the Cherries in next Friday's top-of-the-table encounter, while mid-table Preston remain in Lancashire in local derby action next Saturday against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Preston boss Frankie McAvoy told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It was the least we deserved on the balance of play. I know there was a wee bit of controversy about our goal but I've seen it back and I'm not sure it was that bad.

"You always get some decisions that go your way and some you don't. I thought the challenge on Tommy Barkhuizen might have been a red card, not a yellow. He might have to have an X-ray.

"I'm just disappointed that we conceded from a set-piece. That puts you on the back foot. But I always thought we'd get chances - and it was great for Ched to come off the bench and score again. He's such a threat."

Fulham boss Marco Silva:
"That was a big mistake from the referee and the linesman. There was an elbow in there and then a clear handball before the ball goes over the line. It's difficult for us to accept, but again the referee had a bad performance.

"We've ended up losing two points, and it's not been our fault again. We had a similar situation against Coventry. But it's still an important point.

"It was a really tough game for us, but that's just what we expected. It's been a really difficult week for us, having to play until 10pm on Wednesday night and then coming here for an early Saturday match.

"That isn't an excuse though. It should be up to us to create more problems for the opposition."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59356601

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Post-Preston Press Conference

Marco Silva provided an analysis of his side's 1-1 draw with Preston North End on Saturday afternoon.

Fulham's Head Coach felt his side maintained a good control during the first half, but wasn't able to compete at their usual level after the break.

"It's a really tough competition," said Silva. "They made it difficult for us in the second half. It wasn't the performance we should've put on the pitch in the second half. We have to talk about it, analyse it.

"There was a clear lack of energy. I tried to change something in midfield because we were losing so many challenges in that zone.

"The main thing for us is that we do our job well and unfortunately for us we didn't do that in the second half.

"It's another point, we played for three. We have to go again."

Tim Ream's poacher's finish in the 16th minute was the first goal scored by a Fulham centre-half this season.

"It's something we work really hard on," explained Silva. "It's good to see one of our centre-halves score. It's important for them because they know what we demand of them.

"We are getting stronger, it's important for them to know that if you work hard, you can help decide on matchday.

It's been a tough week for the Whites, as a number of players were wiped out through illness.

Fulham's Head Coach opted to makes three changes to the side that played midweek against Derby County.

"Normally I don't like to change many things," stated Silva. "I think three is enough. I felt that Preston won many balls with the physical style they like to use on the pitch, and we didn't deal with the situation.

"We're not here to take risks with players. We assessed them yesterday, and felt Tom Cairney wasn't in the best condition, but Aleksandar [Mitrović] was okay.

"The easy way is to find excuses, but I'm not here to find excuses. It's not an excuse for me.

"Even if you knew that Preston had one more day than us, even if it's a scandal to finish a game at 10pm on Wednesday and start the next at 12.30pm on Saturday.

"We don't make excuses. We need to analyse on Monday and prepare well for the next one."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/november/27/Post-Preston-Press-Conference/

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Jack and Loz Not at Deepdale - Blog 201
Date: 27th November 2021

Opposition: Preston North End

Score: 1 goal which should have been disallowed - 1

Fulham goal scorer: Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaammmm!

MOTM: on Wednesday night, we watched the Fulham players struggle to prove that they are not a One Man Team. On Saturday, it turned out that they are a One Man Team but that man is not Aleksandar Mitrovic, it's Tim Ream. Our MOTM against Derby was our most influential player again although, given the standard of the competition, this is not the accolade it might have been. However, when Seri swung in a lethal free kick only one man had the timing and the desire to get on the end of it. This was Tim's first goal since December 2017 and rarely has one been so well deserved.

Lunch: Jack - leek and potato soup; Loz - aubergine tagine

We've all been to work feeling ill. You wrap up warm, struggle through the day, drink copious cups of tea and hope your boss doesn't ask you to do anything challenging. Like play Championship football.

For the second time this week, most Fulham players looked under the weather. They hadn't recovered from the virulent bug circulating Motspur Park or from a match which finished two and a half days earlier. They were a little less sharp than usual, more prone to make mistakes and quick to tire. The last symptom was the most obvious. We started the game quite well and were dominant in the period around Tim's goal. But play became increasingly scrappy and tentative, particularly in midfield. Things deteriorated rapidly so that in the second half we were second to every ball and second best all round

The Preston press was threatening and their defending committed and organised. Even fully fit Fulham would have found it hard to find a breakthrough; flaky Fulham stood no shance. Every move broke down, there was no link up play at all, passes were wayward bordering on suicidal. At the back, the Hedecagon of Doom was once again in evidence with some desperate last ditch defending, most of which came off although often more to do with luck and bad shooting than good judgment.

In terms of personnel, Denis Odoi is immune from mortal illnesses and looked solid and competent. Antonee worked very hard and was better than on Wednesday (which isn't saying much) but contributed little other than throw-ins. Tosin was even worse than Wednesday and we would rather have seen Hector. Kebano and Wilson were once again shadows of their usual selves and Fabio had lost his spark. On Wednesday, we missed Mitro and on Saturday we missed him again even though he was on the pitch. We admire him for wanting to play but can't help feeling that the energetic Muniz would have made life more difficult for Preston.

Fulham's grip on the game loosened further after the substitutions - Bobby was completely invisible and neither Josh nor Knockaert made any impact. In other words, this was an all round worse performance than against Derby but once again we should have won.

This brings us neatly to the Wrongly Allowed Goal. Is this first time in the history of football that a goal has been both assisted by and scored by a hand ball? It's not the first time there's been an offside goal, or a goal allowed after a foul on the keeper but for there to be two handballs and a foul and an offside suggests unprofessionalism more than mere incompetence from the officials.

Marco certainly thought so and there was a war of words on the touch line. We weren't surprised at both Marco's and Boa's tempers fraying but you know when mild mannered Stuart Gray gets involved that your cause is righteous.

Bearing in mind the team were ill, tired and robbed this was a hard won point and one well worth having. Preston were tough opponents but they cheated to get their goal. And they got away with it.

Random musings:-

- we liked the Preston rainbow flags and rainbow captain's armband

- the Preston players didn't take the knee though which is a bit of a dichotomy

- we've had some decent refs recently but this one was poor throughout. As well as his complicity in the goal, he only gave Antonee a yellow card when the Preston players asked for it and he allowed the player who was "injured" in injury time to roll around on the pitch when it would have been easier for him to roll off it

- and don't get us started on the appalling sky commentary....

-.....we're still Top of the League though.....

The players now need some time to recover then intensive training must recommence in earnest. On Friday night Fulham will play the biggest game of the season so far - first versus second, new manager versus old, exciting attack versus dull defence. The return of Scott Parker and the revenge of Aleksandar Mitrovic.



https://werdsmith.com/p/RRPMz9J4TmTUSG

[WhiteJC]

Four-star Fulham U18s thrash Spurs

Fulham's under 18s kept their hopes of progressing from the group stages of the Premier League Under 18 Cup alive after thrashing Tottenham Hotspur at Motspur Park this morning. The young Whites were dominant from the first whistle with goals from Jaylan Wildbore, Ollie Sanderson, George Okkas and Imani Lanquedoc securing a comprehensive win.

A shuffled starting line up, with Michael Allen in goal, Murphy Parker and Okkas in midfield and young Lemar Gordon out wide, got to work quickly after soaking up a period of early Spurs pressure. A neat move down the right saw Gordon and Parker combine before Okkas skied over from an inviting position. Tottenham forward Renaldo Torraj failed to get a clean connection when he saw a sight of goal, whilst at the other end Sanderson glanced a header wide from a dangerous Lanquedoc free-kick.

The hosts went ahead just after the quarter of an hour through a brilliant strike from Wildbore. The former Burton forward turned majestically away from two Tottenham defenders before tucking a composed finish beyond Adam Hayton as the visiting goalkeeper rushed off his line. Fulham doubled their lead eleven minutes later when Lanquedoc weighted a lovely through ball behind the static Spurs defence and Sanderson stroked in his ninth goal of the campaign. It was three ten minutes before the break when Okkas latched onto a poor clearance from Hayton and lobbed the stranded Tottenham custodian.

Spurs did start the second half stronger with Jez Davies headed a marvellous Max Knight cross against the post, but Fulham ruthlessly added a fourth ten minutes after the interval. Parker and Wildbore linked up smartly before Lanquedoc drove home for a deserved goal that capped an energetic individual performance. That was the cue for Ali Melloul to make changes, with Thorsteinn Antonsson replacing Xavier Benjamin, who completed more than an hour as he continues his comeback from a longstanding injury.

Also making a welcome return from a prolonged spell on the sidelines was Stefan Parkes, who made two terrific blocks in quick succession to preserve Fulham's clean sheet. Lanquedoc might have added a fifth but shot disappointingly over after bright play from Gordon, before the teenage winger had his own effort blocked. Substitute Terrell Works nearly put the icing on the cake by finishing a flowing move in the closing stages of the game, but he shot wide.

Fulham are temporarily top of Group B, with six points from three games but they face an anxious wait to see whether they will qualify for the last eight as their progress depends on the result of the final fixture between Stoke City and Leeds United, which was postponed today due to the stormy weather.

FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-3-3): Allen; Tanton, de Fougerolles (Parkes 75), Benjamin (Antonsson 63), Araujo; Parker, Okkas, Lanquedoc; Gordon, Wildbore, Sanderson (Works 69). Subs (not used): McNally, Olakigbe.

GOALS: Wildbore (16), Sanderson (27), Okkas (34), Lanquedoc (56).

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR UNDER 18s (4-3-1-2): Hayton; Bryan-Waugh, Linton, Dorrington, Cassanova; Sayers, Haysman, McKnight; Davies (Hackett-Valton 75); Williams (Owen 69), Toraj (Bloxham 57). Subs (not used): Krasniqi, Heaps.

REFEREE: M. Smith.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/four-star-fulham-u18s-thrash-spurs/

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Fulham denied by controversial Preston equaliser

Tim Ream scored his first goal for almost four years but a controversial Preston equaliser meant Championship leaders Fulham had to settle for a point.

The Whites went ahead when Jean Michael Seri's right-wing free-kick was nudged in by Ream from close range.

Fulham dominated the first half an hour or so but then found themselves on the back foot as the home side put them under pressure.

And substitute Ched Evans brought North End level with 17 minutes remaining, with the goal being allowed to stand despite Fulham's angry protests.

The striker's header from Ben Whiteman's corner hit his team-mate's Emil Riis' hand and the ball then ricocheted off Evans' shoulder or upper arm and into the net.

Fulham: Rodak, Odoi, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Seri (Onomah 69), Wilson, Carvalho (Knockaert 81), Kebano (De Cordova-Reid 69), Mitrovic.
Subs not used: Gazziniga, Tete, Hector.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/preston-v-fulham-championship-report-8484422

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Preston 1-1 Fulham: Marco Silva's side drop two points in their promotion chase after Ched Evans' controversial equaliser for the hosts following a Tim Ream opener at Deepdale

    American defender Tim Ream gave table-topping Fulham the lead on 15 minutes
    But Preston sub Ched Evans forced ball over the line from a corner to equalise
    Fulham felt there was a handball as Evans scored but had to settle for just a draw

VAR is not universally popular in the Premier League, but Fulham lived to regret not having it in the Championship as their promotion push was held up in the wind at Deepdale.

They were holding on to a slender lead when in the 72nd minute, Preston substitute Ched Evans bundled in an equaliser from Ben Whiteman's corner.

The protests from Fulham were vehement though, and with good reason as Evans' initial header had struck the hand of team-mate Emil Riis before it was put in at the second attempt. 


American defender Tim Ream (second right) scored the opener for Fulham after 15 minutes


The centre-half turned in Jean Michael Seri's ball in from close range to give his side the lead

They were also unhappy about the challenge on goalkeeper Marek Rodak. But without the option of television replays to examine it, the goal stood.

And for manager Marco Silva, referee Chris Kavanagh's decision to allow it was the simple difference between a hard-fought ugly win and a disappointing draw.

'The goal came from a big, big mistake from the referee and the linesman,' moaned Fulham's Portuguese boss.

'It was a clear foul on the goalkeeper, and a handball. It's difficult for us to accept something like that. Our second half we had a bad performance, and unfortunately so did the referee.

'Even if we did not play in our way in the second half, we lost three points and it was not our fault.'

It may have been controversial, but the point was merited by Preston as they fought back from conceding an early goal to Tim Ream.

'It was the least we deserved from the second half, although there was a wee bit of controversy about it,' said North End manager Frankie McAvoy. 'To a man, I thought our players were fantastic.'

It was the second game in the space of three days in which Fulham had given up unexpected points and it was an untypically disjointed performance in which the Championship's top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic failed to fire.

They had toiled for 90 minutes without finding the net against Wayne Rooney's Derby County on Wednesday night, but it looked like business as usual when they scored here after 15 minutes.

The Cottagers had already monopolised the ball and won a number of corners before they prised open the home defence with only a quarter of an hour gone.

Jean Michael Seri delivered a free-kick on the right-hand side, which Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been proud, as it fizzed into the corridor of uncertainty and Fulham captain Tim Ream could steer it into the net from less than six yards.

Mitrovic's 21 goals have obviously dominated their early charge, but Ream became the 12th different player to score for the league leaders, showing there is a threat throughout the side.

They appeared comfortable but Riis nearly knocked them out of their stride as the Danish striker robbed Antonee Robinson. He cut into the area, but his effort was deflected just beyond the near post.

With 12 goals to his name this season, Riis carried the most obvious threat for North End and he was causing problems again as he peeled off to the back post, but there were no takers for his dangerous ball across the area.

Robinson was then living dangerously moments after the restart when he was caught out by Tom Barkhuizen and took the man out with a strong challenge just outside the box, but after a long wait while Barkhuizen had treatment, the left-back escaped with a yellow card.

That galvanised the home team for whom Riis remained their biggest threat. After taking a long throw, he was testing Marek Rodak with a low drive from 20 yards.

Preston had penned the visitors in their own half and they had their reward through Evans, and Riis' hand. Suddenly the promotion favourites had to up their game, but the damage had been done and they failed to find a winner.

But with none of the chasing pack appearing capable of putting together a meaningful winning run, the Londoners should not be too concerned as they put another point on the board towards their ultimate goal.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10248885/Preston-1-1-Fulham-Marco-Silvas-drop-points-promotion-chase-Ched-Evans-goal.html

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Preston punish passive Fulham

Fulham paid the penalty for a passive second-half display as they dropped more points at Deepdale this afternoon. Marco Silva's men looked totally in control when Tim Ream turned in his first goal in almost four years to reward their dominant start, but Frankie McAvoy's side responded with a spirit and intensity that the visitors failed to match after half time. There might have been controversy about substitute Ched Evans' equaliser – with referee Chris Kavanagh missing three handballs – as Evans and Emil Riis challenged Marek Rodak at a corner – but there was certainly no arguing with the fact that North End were very good value for their point.

Silva had been getting increasingly frustrated on the touchline as Fulham struggled to replicate the simplicity of their pass and move game from the first half. Preston, who inflicted Bournemouth's first defeat of the season earlier in the month, have come from behind to pick up points eleven times this season and they grew in confidence once the Whites failed to add to Ream's rare strike. The hosts looked the more likely winners the longer the game went on with Alan Browne blazing over and Riis seeing a stoppage-time shot blocked.

The Danish striker, arguably one of the division's best bargains after signing from Randers, has scored twelve goals in all competitions this season and almost punished some hesitancy from Tosin Adarabioyo, who had an underwhelming day at the heart of Fulham's defence, before the centre half got back to avert the danger. Fulham had threatened from a succession of set plays and their opener arrived courtesy of a terrific whipped free-kick from the right by Jean Michael Seri, with Ream running untracked to poke in the easiest of finishes from close range.

Ream had to be alert at the other end five minutes to prevent Riis from grabbing a leveller after the striker had surged away from the remnants of the Fulham defence. The American veteran did just about enough to prevent Riis from getting a clean shot away, although he was grateful for Adarabioyo's intervention after losing out to the Dane on the right wing with Riis' near post shot deflected behind.

The hosts took great confidence from the way they had managed to trouble Fulham in the final ten minutes of the first period and kept the ball impressively for much of the second half. Antonee Robinson was booked for a lunge at Tom Barkhuizen and a daisycutter from Riis, who had collected his own cleared long throw, crept through a forest of legs but Rodak made a smart diving stop. Silva's side were struggling to generate any momentum of their own, with Harry Wilson's free kick barely extending Daniel Iversen, and he sent on Josh Onomah and Bobby Decordova-Reid in an attempt to liven up proceedings.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, brilliant marshalled by the Preston defence throughout, fashioned a half chance for Fabio Carvalho with some fine hold up play, but the teenager's curler from the edge of the area flew a couple of yards over the crossbar. But Fulham were pegged back by Evans, who had a similar impact in midweek against Middlesbrough when he came off the bench to turn a game that was drifting away from Preston in North End's favour. The Welsh striker challenged Rodak from Ben Whiteman's corner and forced the ball home, with television replays confirming that it had struck the arms of both Evans and Riis before crossing the line.

Furious Fulham protests came to nothing and North End could easily have clinched another comeback win as they remained on the front foot for the rest of the contest. Andrew Hughes and Browne blazed efforts over the bar before, after the skipper had done brilliantly to keep the ball on the right flank, he and Evans combined to release Riis in the inside left position but black shirts got back to avoid any further drama.

Silva was still seething on the touchline at the final whistle, but he will have been alarmed at how his side surrendered the initiative in the face of Preston's pressure. Whether the illness that has made preparation for Fulham's last two fixtures impacted upon that is unknown, but the Whites will need to be far better than this when Scott Parker returns to Craven Cottage with Bournemouth on Friday night.

PRESTON NORTH END (3-4-1-2): Iversen; van der Berg, Lindsey, Hughes (Cunningham 90+4); Whiteman, McCann, Barkhuizen (Storey 54), Earl; Browne; Maguire (Evans 60), Riis. Subs (not used): Hudson, Johnson, Ledson, Sinclair.

BOOKED: van den Berg, Evans.

GOAL: Evans (72).

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

BOOKED: A. Robinson, Onomah.

GOAL: Ream (15).

REFEREE: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire).

ATTENDANCE: 9,838.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/preston-punish-passive-fulham/

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Silva slams officials

Marco Silva was furious after Fulham were denied three points at Preston North End by Ched Evans' equaliser this afternoon.

The Fulham head coach told Sky Sports that the home side's leveller should have been disallowed – not just for handballs by Evans and Emil Riis but for a foul on the Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak.

"It's a mistake – it is not controversial. It is a clear mistake from the referee. The goal came from a clear, clear mistake. It was bad performances from ourselves and a bad performance from the referee. It is not just one foul, it is two fouls. It is an elbow in his face maybe and after the elbow as well I think it is two handballs. It is difficult for the fourth official, the linesman and the referee. You have to protect the goalkeepers in this competition – because so many fouls on them, because in one moment you push them inside the goal and it is an easy goal.

"It is not an excuse because I explained that our second half was not good enough. We must do different in the second half. The last game we lost was more or less the same thing. The game was balanced, tough game to play and there was a dive in our box. This afternoon unfortunately for us was the same. We have to look at what we can control and what can control is not do in the second half what we did."

Silva saved some opprobrium for his own side, who surrendered the lead given to them by Tim Ream's opener with a whimper in a second half where they were outfought.

"I would prefer to start in a different way because it is not just the decision – but in terms of performance, first half we played in the way we wanted to play. We knew that they will be five at the back, we started to control the ball and we move the ball from side to side. We created some moments, we scored and we were clearly the best team on the pitch in the first half, even if they had some counter attacks.

Second half – the reality is we didn't play. We didn't perform in the way we should do, the way we prepared and the way we expected after our speech at half time. It was a bad, bad second half from us."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/silva-slams-officials/

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'Could've broken his leg' - Alex Neil says Fulham defender should've been sent off vs PNE

The defender's foul ended Tom Barkhuizen's afternoon

Former Preston North End manager Alex Neil was certain that Fulham's Antonee Robinson should've been sent off against Preston North End.

The Lilywhites shared the spoils in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Deepdale but the visitors were fortunate not to be down to 10 men in the second half.

Tom Barkhuizen, playing at right wing-back, was on the end of a strong challenge from the American and had to be taken off as a result.

PNE's number 29 left the field in a protective boot and on crutches, while Robinson escaped with a yellow despite calls for a red from the home crowd.

After the game Neil, who was on pundit duty for Sky Sports alongside ex-Millwall boss Neil Harris, gave a firm verdict on the incident.

"I think it is a red card," said Neil, who disagreed with Sky commentator Don Goodman.

"I think that Tom checks the ball back on his heel and Antonee Robinson takes his standing leg away from him and basically scissors him.

"I know he makes contact with the ball but at this moment in time, the ruling isn't whether you touch the ball or not it is whether you endanger the opponent.

"It is everything, absolutely everything. Two feet off the floor, he has scissored Tom's leg, it is straight and standing and if he goes over the top of that he could easily have broken his leg.

"It is a definite red card for me."

Harris agreed with that and was equally as unimpressed by the initial defending from Robinson, to let a player of Barkhuizen's speed in behind.

"Yeah the more you see it the more it is," said Harris. "I think the frustration for the fans at the time was that it took so long to make the decision.

"It looked like the referee and linesman didn't know if it was a foul or not and it summed up Fulham's defending today.

"Robinson steps in to try and take the ball first, the ball is favouring Tom Barkhuizen and then Robinson has to make up with his pace to get back in and he makes a rash challenge.

"He is a very lucky player to stay on the pitch. What me and Alex said was if that's given a red card and you appeal it, you are not getting off."



https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/preston-fulham-alex-neil-sky-22296827

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Ream revels in rare goal

Tim Ream admitted Fulham were frustrated not to take all three points away from Deepdale this afternoon – but did enjoy scoring his first goal for nearly four years.

The American centre back gave the Whites a first half lead with a close range finish from Jean Michael Seri's free kick, although Marco Silva's side were very much second best after the break. Preston equalised through a controversial strike from substitute Ched Evans and Ream reflected on the disappointment at dropping more times. He told FFCTV after the final whistle:

"It's still frustrating. Obviously, we were in a winning position and maybe we were a little bit hard done by for their goal. With what's been going through the squad, two points from two games is not exactly where we want to be but we've gotten through it and go again on Friday. Everybody is disappointed with the result today, but you remain unbeaten and we're still top of the table for the time being.

The veteran defender conceded that there were plenty of below par elements to Fulham's performance this afternoon.

"I don't necessarily know that we did enough [to win the game] in the attacking sense. We were kind of second best to a lot of second balls in midfield. We're disappointed. We weren't at our best today. Every single person in that changing room knows that. That's something that we can reflect on and look at this week and really get down to work and nail that down."

He was, however, delighted to score his first Fulham goal since a header against Cardiff on Boxing Day in 2017.

"It's nice. It's been a while! We work a lot on set pieces. Each guy has our different slots that we run through. I saw a gap and I kind of went through it. I knew the ball was being put in there and we do work on that quite a bit. It was just a matter of getting anything on it – at that distance, the keeper's not going to have much time to react. Luckily it went to my left, I just stuck a toe out and it went into the back of the net."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/ream-revels-in-rare-goal/

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Fulham boss left furious as controversy surrounds Preston draw

Fulham boss Marco Silva was left fuming at match officials after his side conceded late to be held to a 1-1 draw against Preston North End.

Tim Ream gifted the visitors the lead after just fifteen minutes from a routine set-piece. With chances on both ends, Fulham looked to be doing enough to take all three points from Deepdale. However, a controversial Ched Evans goal brought Preston back level, as the shares were spoiled following an entertaining clash.

But Silva felt his side were robbed of the victory, as he called out the referee's performance in his post-match interview.

He said: "That was a big mistake from the referee and the linesman.

"There was an elbow in there and then a clear handball before the ball goes over the line. It's difficult for us to accept, but again the referee had a bad performance.

"We've ended up losing two points, and it's not been our fault again. We had a similar situation against Coventry recently.

"It was a really tough game for us, but that's just what we expected.

Fulham players erupted in anger as Evans' goal was allowed to stand, with many protests feeling there was a handball in the build-up.

But Silva did also admit Fulham weren't at their best in the game, and that a point on the road is still something to be pleased with:

"That isn't an excuse though. It should be up to us to create more problems for the opposition.

"I saw a good reaction from the players in the first half, but the second half was much different.

"It wasn't the best from us, and some players do need to improve further. But it's another point on the road and it is an important one."

Pundit argues Fulham should see red

Former Preston North End manager Alex Neil believed Antonee Robinson should've seen red for a strong challenge on Tom Barkhuizen.

Barkhuizen was forced off the pitch as a result of the tackle, however the American only saw yellow for his actions.

Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, Neil strongly disagreed with the decision.

He said: "I know he makes contact with the ball but at this moment in time, the ruling isn't whether you touch the ball or not it is whether you endanger the opponent.

"It is everything, absolutely everything. Two feet off the floor, he has scissored Tom's leg. It is straight and standing and if he goes over the top of that he could easily have broken his leg.

"It is a definite red card for me."



https://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/marco-silva-furious-controversial-decision-preston

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Fulham lining up transfer swoop for Ligue 1 midfielder

Fulham are looking a good bet for another instant return to the Premier League after their relegation at the end of last season. As it stands, the Cottagers top the table.

Fulham's form has seen them grab 43 points already, a total that sees them nine points clear of the play-off pack. It is form driven by the 21 goals of Aleksandar Mitrovic.

However, according to Alan Nixon writing in today's print edition of the Sun on Sunday (28.11.21, pg. 59), the Londoners are already looking at options. He says that one of these is SCO Angers midfielder Angelo Fulgini.

Fulham keen on Fulgini says Nixon
Nixon writes that Fulham are already resigned to losing Frank Zambo Anguissa at the end of this season. He adds that the Craven Cottage outfit are "making a big push" for Angers' Fulgini.

The Sun man says that the Cottagers will not be put off by the French club's valuation of their star midfielder and "could meet the £18million asking price."

An amount such as that would not be a problem for Fulham to meet even now, let alone should they gain Premier League promotion.

Fulgini has been at Angers since a 2017 move from Valenciennes. Over that time, the 25-year-old has made 127 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, scoring 21 goals and adding 15 assists. Two of those goals and two of those assists have come in this season's Ligue 1 competition.

Thoughts?
Whilst nothing is a given in football, Fulham are looking a good bet to continue their yo-yo relationship with the Premier League. Leading the table, they are looking good at the moment.

With this interest in Fulgini, it also appears that they are planning for the future. That is always a good thing. Fulgini looks to be a part of that forward-thinking approach.

At 25, Fulgini is in the prime of his playing days. Fulham would be getting a player who Alan Nixon admits "is desperate" to come to English football.



https://the72.co.uk/256472/fulham-lining-up-transfer-swoop-for-ligue-1-midfielder/

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'Could've broken his leg' - Alex Neil says Fulham defender should've been sent off vs PNE

The defender's foul ended Tom Barkhuizen's afternoon

Former Preston North End manager Alex Neil was certain that Fulham's Antonee Robinson should've been sent off against Preston North End.

The Lilywhites shared the spoils in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Deepdale but the visitors were fortunate not to be down to 10 men in the second half.

Tom Barkhuizen, playing at right wing-back, was on the end of a strong challenge from the American and had to be taken off as a result.

PNE's number 29 left the field in a protective boot and on crutches, while Robinson escaped with a yellow despite calls for a red from the home crowd.

After the game Neil, who was on pundit duty for Sky Sports alongside ex-Millwall boss Neil Harris, gave a firm verdict on the incident.

"I think it is a red card," said Neil, who disagreed with Sky commentator Don Goodman.

"I think that Tom checks the ball back on his heel and Antonee Robinson takes his standing leg away from him and basically scissors him.

"I know he makes contact with the ball but at this moment in time, the ruling isn't whether you touch the ball or not it is whether you endanger the opponent.

"It is everything, absolutely everything. Two feet off the floor, he has scissored Tom's leg, it is straight and standing and if he goes over the top of that he could easily have broken his leg.

"It is a definite red card for me."

Harris agreed with that and was equally as unimpressed by the initial defending from Robinson, to let a player of Barkhuizen's speed in behind.

"Yeah the more you see it the more it is," said Harris. "I think the frustration for the fans at the time was that it took so long to make the decision.

"It looked like the referee and linesman didn't know if it was a foul or not and it summed up Fulham's defending today.

"Robinson steps in to try and take the ball first, the ball is favouring Tom Barkhuizen and then Robinson has to make up with his pace to get back in and he makes a rash challenge.

"He is a very lucky player to stay on the pitch. What me and Alex said was if that's given a red card and you appeal it, you are not getting off."



https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/preston-fulham-alex-neil-sky-22296827

What utter cr@p Alex Neil is talking, having seen the incident on Sky Sports News he is so wrong in every way. Robinson's tackle was hard but not dangerous. When he came in for the tackle he was completely on the floor his leading leg went past Barkhuizen and missed him completely, his trailing leg which was bent caught the Preston man probably just below the calf and upended him. I find it hard that the tackle did any real damage and more likely the way he landed caused him to go off. Now the elbow in Rodak's face is a different matter, since when has it been allowed for someone to waive the bent arm in someones face, do that on the pitch and it is a foul and potentially red card. The man is as good as a pundit as he was manager.