Sunday Fulham Stuff - 16/01/22...

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Results

Saturday
Cardiff	0-1	Blackburn
Luton	3-2	Bournemouth
Hudersfield	1-1	Swansea
Barnsley	P-P	Blackpool
Derby	2-0	Sheff Utd
Fulham	6-2	Bristol City
M'borough	0-1	Reading
Millwall	0-1	Forest
P'borough	1-4	Coventry
Preston NE	1-1	Birmingham
QPR	1-0	West Brom

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Fulham 6-2 Bristol City

Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic is the Championship top scorer with 27 goals this season

Aleksandar Mitrovic stuck a first-half hat-trick as Fulham hit Bristol City for six to return to the top of the Championship.

The Serbian now has 27 goals this season and his treble came in an enthralling opening 45 minutes that saw the Robins twice take the lead.

Antoine Semenyo scored either side of Mitrovic's first before Neeskens Kebano levelled and Fabio Carvalho put the hosts in front after 36 minutes.

Mitrovic completed his hat-trick in first-half injury time and Kebano made it six just before the hour to complete a resounding win.

Free-scoring Fulham beat Reading 7-0 in midweek and have now scored 64 goals this season - 20 more than second highest scorers Blackburn.

The game kicked off 15 minutes late due to a power failure at Craven Cottage and the visitors caught the Cottagers cold when Semenyo hit a powerful shot past Marek Rodak after seven minutes.

The hosts hit back on 21 minutes when Mitrovic headed in Tom Cairney's floated cross but the recalled Semenyo burst forward from halfway on the counter attack to fire the Robins back in front.

The lead lasted barely a minute as Kebano levelled with the next attack of the game, heading past Max O'Leary in the Robins goal.

Marco Silva's men went in front for the first time after 36 minutes though a wonderful individual effort from Carvalho, who drove at the defence before curling into the far corner to make it 3-2.

Mitrovic headed in a Cairney corner four minutes later to make it 4-2 and completed his hat-trick in first-half injury time, firing into the top corner to send the Cottagers into half-time 5-2 up after a breathless opening 45 minutes.

Kebano grabbed his second to make it six after 57 minutes, pulling Tosin Adarabioyo's ball out of the air with style before rifling home from a tight angle.

Fulham eased off the accelerator in the remaining half hour and moved to the summit of the Championship, replacing Bournemouth, who were defeated by Luton earlier in the day.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva:
"The way he (Mitrovic) scored the two headers and, after that, great finishing for the hat-trick was very, very good - his skills, his quality there, what he's capable to do in the box.

"My players know they will not score always six or seven goals. If someone expects this type of score it will be a big mistake. Of course no one inside this football club is thinking this way.

"Of course if you ask me if I'm happy with the score, it is the way you like to do it. But if in the next game we win 1-0 I will be happy."

Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson:
"We were bullied at times and it was quite evident there was a difference in quality. We conceded four goals from set plays without really laying a glove on them.

"We surrendered too easily and at times we forced the play when it wasn't on and didn't force it when we could have done.

"Mitrovic is an excellent player and it would not be fair to not recognise his qualities. But we needed to be more physical with him."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59918645

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Post-Bristol City Press Conference

Marco Silva was delighted with the attitude shown by his side on Saturday afternoon.

Bristol City led twice at Craven Cottage but Fulham reacted with vengeance to claim an emphatic 6-2 victory.

"Very happy, pleased to see the way we did it," Silva said in his post-match press conference. "Looking at the performance, I didn't like at all the way we conceded the goals, but I have to congratulate my players for the way they reacted.

"This is the first time this season we came from behind, and this afternoon we came from behind twice.

"We did it with big determination, and class as well, quality with the way we reacted to score some goals.

"I felt we worked hard because it is really tough everything they have done so far. We deserved the three points."

Asked if this week's two wins and 13 goals have sent a message to the rest of the league, Silva replied: "We have to send a message for ourselves first of all, for our fans, for the people that like Fulham Football Club.

"For our opponents the message that we send is when they play against us, nothing more.

"Their focus is in their games, our focus in our games. At the end of the season, we will see which team has more points."

Aleksandar Mitrović's first half hat-trick took his tally for the season to a remarkable 27, and Silva was very happy with the way his forward players performed.

"The way he scored some goals this afternoon, he is Mitrović, there is nothing more to say," he said. "We know his skills, his quality there, what he is capable to do in the box.

"The way he scored the two headers and the finish for his hat-trick was very good.

"Two good goals from Kebano; the second goal is a very good one. He almost made a hat-trick as well, with the big chance in the second half.

"Our frontline is doing really, really well. Last Tuesday was Harry Wilson in a top level, this afternoon the other two popped up. It is everything as a manager that you want to see."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/january/15/post-bristol-city-press-conference/

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Fulham 6-2 Bristol City

Fulham made it six points and 13 goals for the week with an emphatic victory over Bristol City.

The visitors led twice at Craven Cottage through Antoine Semenyo, but his efforts were cancelled out by Aleksandar Mitrović and Neeskens Kebano.

Fabio Carvalho then put the Whites in front, and Mitrović added two more to complete a first-half hat-trick.

Kebano's magnificent take and finish was the only goal of the second half, but the damage had already been done by that point as we returned to the top of the Championship in some style.

Following the prolific evening's work in Reading four days earlier, it came as little surprise that Marco Silva named an unchanged XI.

After a 15-minute delay to kick-off due to a power outage, Fulham started brightly but found ourselves one down to a seventh minute counter attack. Semenyo raced up the pitch and his shot had too much power for Marek Rodák.

The setback didn't stunt the Whites' enthusiasm, as we went straight on the hunt for an equaliser, one that almost came when Mitrović nodded Harrison Reed's corner wide of the near post.

We weren't to be frustrated for long, though, with Mitrović heading home his 25th goal of the season. Harry Wilson swung in a beauty of a cross and Mitro was able to hold off his man before guiding his header back the way it came and inside the far stick.

It almost got even better when Kebano dazzled his way into a shooting position through some slick footwork, but his curler was watched all the way by goalkeeper Max O'Leary.

The Robins were on the ropes, relying on an athletic O'Leary save to keep out Mitrović's header after Wilson's volley had bounced his way.

But despite Fulham's dominance, City retook the lead in fortuitous circumstances. A powerful strike from Mitrović was blocked, and the force of the effort sent the ball halfway up the pitch towards our goal. Semenyo then had the strength to hold off the challenges of Tim Ream and Reed before smashing in via the upright.

You cannot keep a good team down, though, and within seconds Fulham were level. Mitrović attacked Kenny Tete's cross, and Kebano was there to gobble up the loose ball and head in from close range.

The fans were being treated to an absolutely bonkers game in the Cottage's first event of 2022, with Carvalho getting in on the act in the 36th minute. The away defence made the mistake of backing off the youngster as he bore down on goal, giving him an invitation to shoot which he gleefully accepted by planting an exquisite shot into the corner.

After a hairy moment which saw Rodák called into action, Fulham extended the lead. Tom Cairney – so influential in midweek – delivered a peach of a corner that Mitrović nodded down beyond O'Leary for 4-2.

We weren't done there, either, with Mitrović wrapping up his hat-trick in first half stoppage time with a brilliant finish. Cairney again showed his vision to pick out the Championship's top scorer, who sent an unstoppable strike into the far top corner with his weaker left foot.

One could be forgiven for expecting things to let up in the second period, but within 13 minutes Kebano had doubled his tally with arguably the goal of the game. Tosin's looping header looked tricky to control, but Kebano brought it out of the sky and beyond his marker with one touch, before lashing his shot high into the net from the tightest of angles.

Kebano almost joined hat-trick club soon after, but unfortunately sliced his shot wide of the target.

Wilson would have been keen to get in on the act with this many goals being shared out, and he was unlucky in the 77th minute that his placed effort didn't dip quite in time to find the net.

With the game long since sewn up, the tempo had slowed a bit and the home fans were forced to settle for just the six goals this time.

Fulham FC: Rodák, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Reed, Cairney (Chalobah 72'), Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano (De Cordova-Reid 71'), Mitrovic (Rodrigo Muniz 78')

Subs: Odoi, De Cordova-Reid, Rodrigo Muniz, Hector, Chalobah, Gazzaniga, Stansfield

Bristol C: O'Leary, Pring, Kalas, Vyner, O'Dowda (Bakinson 76'), Massengo (Atkinson 50'), King, Dasilva (Martin 50'), Semenyo, Scott, Weimann

Subs: Bentley, Martin, Wells, Benarous, Palmer, Atkinson, Bakinson



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/january/15/fulham-6-2-bristol-city/

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Goodnight. X#FFC pic.twitter.com/gRbLqhyBk6

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 15, 2022

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Fulham roar back to the top of the table after blitzing Bristol City with Mitrovic treble

Fulham (5) 6 Mitrovic 20, 41, 45 Kebano 31, 57 Carvalho 36

Bristol City (2) 2 Semenyo 7, 29



Aleksandar Mitrovic took his domestic season's tally to 27 with a first-half hat-trick as Fulham made it 13 goals in a few days to fire their way back to the top of the Championship.

The Whites were stunned by two superb individual goals from Robins striker Antoine Semenyo in the first half but are in irresistible form, and they responded with a blitz of goals.

Fulham started with an obvious spring in their step – scoring seven in the previous match tends to do that to a side. They also had the boost before kick-off of seeing their promotion rivals Bournemouth sliding to a last-gasp defeat at Luton.

They were soon carrying on where they left off at Reading in midweek, when they hit seven, even if it was the visitors who rocked the boat by drawing first blood on seven minutes.

It was an excellent individual effort too from Semenyo, who side-stepped a defender just outside the box before rifling into the top corner.

The Whites were back on level terms when Mitrovic rose to nod home Harry Wilson's dinked cross from the right and that got the passing machine functioning again. Soon those crisp moves were creating openings galore. 

Neeskens Kebano forced a save and Mitrovic almost bagged a second headed goal as the Whites started to move through the gears – Max O'Leary doing well to stretch back and tip over.

Just as a second goal seemed on the cards, Semenyo dazzled again with a fine breakaway goal, turning past Tim Ream and then outpacing the Fulham defence from half way before finding the net with a low shot off the far post.

But Mitrovic's prowess in the air restored parity moments later, when he again outjumped the last man to nod down a long cross for Kebano to bury with a header from three yards.

And with momentum fully restored, Fabio Carvalho turned on the style, taking on a retreating defence and finding the far corner with a perfectly placed shot before Mitrovic got on the end of a Tom Cairney corner to extend the lead.

The Serb then capped a half of brilliant, bullying centre-forward play when he took delivery of a Cairney pass before turning onto his left foot and sending another blistering shot into the top corner.

He received rapturous applause when he was withdrawn with 12 minutes to go – a well-earned breather before Tuesday's re-arranged fixture against Birmingham City at the Cottage.

After the break, Kebano nabbed his second, controlling a hopeful ball into the area and being allowed to turn and lash into the roof of the net.

"We want seven," chanted the fans, perhaps showing rather limited ambition for once, considering there was still more than half an hour to go. But in the event, they did not quite match the midweek rout – foot well and truly taken off the gas for the latter stages.



Whites: (4-2-3-1) Rodak – Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson – Cairney (Chalobah72), Reed – Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano (Decordova-Reid 74) – Mitrovic (Muniz 78) Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Hector, Odoi, Stansfield

Robins: (3-4-1-2) O'Leary - Vyner, Kalas, Pring – Scott, Massengo (Atkinson 50), King, Dasilva (Martin 50) – O'Dowda (Bakinson 76) – Semenyo, Weimann. Subs not used: Bentley, Wells, Benarous, Palmer

Attendance: 17,810



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/fulham-roar-back-to-the-top-of-the-table-after-blitzing-bristol-city-with-mitrovic-treble

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Fulham 6-2 Bristol City: FLW report as hosts go top after Craven Cottage goalfest

Aleksandar Mitrovic's first-half hat-trick helped Fulham beat Bristol City 6-2 at Craven Cottage this afternoon to move top of the Championship.

City had won their last five at the west London ground and were unbeaten there since 1997 but – thanks to goals from Mitrovic, Neeskens Kebano, and Fabio Carvalho – Marco Silva's side put that record right in comprehensive style despite the best efforts of Antoine Semenyo, who scored a well-taken brace for the visitors.

Bournemouth's slip up in the lunchtime kick-off against Luton Town was impossible to ignore ahead of the start – not least because of the roar that rang out from the Craven Cottage concourses when Kal Naismith's 96th-minute winner went in – and meant that only a draw would be needed for Silva's team to regain top spot.

Kick-off was delayed by a quarter of an hour due to a power outage but an electric first half meant that was quickly forgotten about. Fulham beat Reading 7-0 in midweek and seven more were scored before halftime at Craven Cottage, though the Robins got two of them, including Semenyo's opener after seven minutes.

Max O'Leary, preferred to Dan Bentley in the City goal once again, did well to catch an inswinging corner before launching a counter-attack through Alex Scott, who fed Semenyo outside the box and the Robins forward slalomed Tom Cairney with ease before hammering an effort into the back of the net.

Mitrovic looked back to his inevitable best in the midweek win and he dragged his side back level 14 minutes later with the first of his three goals in the game, holding off Zak Vyner with ease before directing Cairney's floated cross into the bottom corner with a wonderfully weighted header.

Fulham began to exert their dominance after the equaliser and five goals in the last 16 minutes of the half saw them take a 5-2 lead into the break – though it was City that once again took the lead through Semenyo.

The 22-year-old grabbed his second with phenomenal solo goal in the 29th minute. Collecting the ball on the halfway line, he shrugged off both Tim Ream and Harrison Reed as he drove to the edge of the box and fired a low strike in off the post.

The away fans' celebrations were quickly muted, however, as Fulham went right back up the other end and equalised through Kebano's header.

With nine minutes to go until the break, Silva's side went ahead for the first time as Fabio Carvalho was given far too much space and curled an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

From then on it was the Mitrovic show. The striker is on course to smash the single-season Championship goalscoring record and showed his dominance both on the ground and in the air – rising highest to nod in a corner and then smashing a strike into the top corner – to complete a first-half hat-trick.

The first 10 minutes after the break were quiet in comparison to the frenzied 45 that they proceeded but Kebano's wonder strike after 57 minutes made up for that.

The forward took down a high ball inside the box with a stunning first touch and then swivelled before hammering in an unsaveable effort from a tight angle.

He could and perhaps should have completed his hat-trick moments later when Vyner's slip allowed him an uncontested effort on goal from five yards out but he put it wide.

City were not without attempts of their own as they looked to close the deficit but Tomas Kalas' close-range header was put over the bar and Andi Weimann could only sting the gloves of Marek Rodak.

Feint cries of 'we are top of the league' rang out from the stands in the last moments of the game and Tim Robinson's final whistle confirmed that as a fact.

You feel Birmingham City will likely be dreading their trip to the capital in midweek.

FULL TIME: FULHAM 6-2 BRISTOL CITY



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-6-2-bristol-city-flw-report-as-hosts-go-top-after-craven-cottage-goalfest/

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Mitrovic scores hat-trick in another thumping Fulham win

Marco Silva says Fulham come-from-behind win over Bristol City demonstrates his team's ruthless streak.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's first-half hat-trick sealed another emphatic victory to return free-scoring Fulham to the top of the table at Craven Cottage.

In a hugely eventful first half, which was delayed by 15 minutes due to power outage, seven goals were scored as Fulham went behind twice after Antoine Semanya scored two goals either side of Mitrovic's first strike.

However, the Whites who scored seven at Reading on Tuesday, hit back in stunning fashion with three goals in 10 minutes from Fabio Carvalho, Neekens Kabano and Mitrovic who then grabbed his third treble of the season on the stroke of halftime to make it 5-2.

Kebano claimed his second goal of the game on the hour to make it six after latching on to a Tosin knock-down from a free-kick and firing past Max O'leary but the Robins managed to keep out any more goals.

Mitrovic's hat-trick took him to 27 for the season eclipsing his total from the 2019/20 promotion-winning season.

"I am very happy, pleased to see the way we did it," Silva said.

"Looking at the performance, I didn't like at all the way we conceded the goals, but I have to congratulate my players for the way they reacted.

"This is the first time this season we came from behind, and this afternoon we came from behind twice.

"For our opponents the message that we send is when they play against us, nothing more.

"Their focus is in their games, our focus in our games. At the end of the season, we will see which team has more points."

"We did it with big determination, and class as well, quality with the way we reacted to score some goals.

"I felt we worked hard because it is really tough everything they have done so far. We deserved the three points."

Fulham: Rodek, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Cairney (Chalobah 71), Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano (De Cordova-Reid 71) Mitrovic (Muniz 72), Subs: not used: Gazzaniga, Odoi, Hector, Stansfield.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-silva-reaction-wls-fulham-hit-six-to-go-top-of-the-table

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Fulham roar back to hit Robins for six

Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed his third hat-trick of the season as Fulham returned to the top of the Championship by putting six past Bristol City. But it was far from a routine victory for Marco Silva's side at Craven Cottage as Antoine Semenyo twice punished poor defending to put the visitors ahead and Fulham were forced to show real resolve before their enterprising football eventually overwhelmed Nigel Pearson's men. Serbian striker Mitrovic, who overtook Ronnie Rooke to draw level with Bobby Robson in Fulham's list of leading goalscorers with a first half treble, was unplayable, whilst Fabio Carvalho scored a stunning individual effort and Neeskens Kebano rounded off the scoring with a brace.

It looked for a while as though the Whites might better the magnificent seven they managed at Reading in midweek – but the margin of victory was still commanding at the end of a much more sedate second half. Fulham overcame the shock of two terrific strikes from local boy Semenyo, restored to the starting line-up in place of Chris Martin, with Tom Cairney – badly embarrassed as the young striker opening the scoring – pulling the strings deliciously from deep in midfield. Mitrovic bullied poor Zak Vyner in the first period before completing his hat-trick with an emphatic header in stoppage time that pretty much put an absorbing contest beyond City.

Pearson's side certainly didn't come to the capital to shut up shop. They had taken great heart from their creditable showing in the FA Cup last weekend, where they were unfortunate to be edged out by Harry Wilson's extra-time fluke. Whilst the 3-4-1-2 system was the same, there were changes in personnel. Jay DaSilva operated as a right wing back with Callum O'Dowda on the left, allowing Alex Scott to play in the hole between Semenyo and top scorer Andi Weimann. It took just seven minutes for Pearson's tinkering to pay off as the visitors scored a classic counter-attacking goal.

Max O'Leary, so impressive between the sticks at Ashton Gate, claimed a Fulham goal with a modicum of fuss and bowled it out for Scott, whose precise through ball put set Semenyo running at a short-handed home defence. Cairney found himself in the right back position but was bamboozled by the forward's clever feet as he tricked the Fulham skipper far too easily and lashed a shot high into the roof of the net between Marek Rodak and the near post. It was a fabulous finish, but there was plenty to critique about the passiveness of Fulham's defending.

The hosts immediately went searching for a response, which Mitrovic probably should have provided when he flicked a free header over the bar unattended at the near post from Harrison Reed's corner. Bristol City pressed frantically high up the field and made it difficult for Silva's side to find their usual rhythm but Fulham's first spell of prolonged passing preceded the equaliser. Reed swept the ball wide for Wilson, who took advantage of the space he was afforded on the right to whip in a dangerous cross that Mitrovic emphatically headed into the far corner. That was his 25th of the campaign and he made it look effortless after shrugging off Vyner.

Kebano then spun superbly on the edge of the area to work some space for a shot but the Congolese winger's effort was a little too close to O'Leary. The Bristol City goalkeeper then stretched to tip over a Mitrovic header after a miscued Wilson volley bounced up into the six-yard box and it seemed like the home side were turning the screw. Mitrovic lined up another shot but his venomous effort cannoned off Andy King and reached Semenyo on the halfway line. The striker spun away from Ream far too easily and accelerated away from Reed before rifling a low shot past Rodak and in off the far post. Another extraordinary individual strike that put Fulham's plan to reach the Championship summit in jeopardy.

Silva's side had yet to win a game from a losing position and had only picked up a single point – against Bournemouth in their last outing here – whilst behind all season. But they responded almost straight away, with Cairney snapping into a fifty-fifty to reclaim possession and keep Kenny Tete galloping down the right flank. Mitrovic headed the Dutchman's deep delivery back across goal and there was Kebano to nudge home from a few yards out. Parity had been restored, but that wasn't enough for the home side.

Carvalho, coming off a couple of quiet games following his return from injury, demonstrated all of his precocious talent as he put the Whites in front for the first time five minutes later. The teenager took a pass from Ream and run at the heart of the Bristol City defence, breezing away from King and drawing in Vyner before measuring a fabulous finish into the far corner beyond O'Leary's despairing dive. It was a goal of exquisite quality befitting a breathless first half.

The excitement was far from over. Fulham survived a scare when Dasilva intercepted a poor ball out from the break and slipped in Weimann, who was denied by a smart save from Rodak. The ball rebounded back to DaSilva who advanced a couple of yards before going to ground under a challenge from Reed, but referee Tim Robinson waved away the penalty appeals. The visitors paid the penalty as Fulham went straight down the other end and won a corner from which Mitrovic rose majestically to head Cairney's cross into the far corner.

It was five in the first minute of stoppage time. The same pair were involved again. Cairney stripped Massengo of possession after he tried to work a one-two and strode forward before threading a lovely pass through to Mitrovic, who switched the ball onto his left foot and found the top corner with a glorious finish from fifteen yards. After all that end-to-end action, it was almost inevitable that the second half would be subdued by comparison.

Mitrovic headed over from a Kebano cross and Fulham played patient, probing football before scoring a sixth just before the hour mark. Reed's floated free-kick was aimed towards Adarabioyo, whose looping header into the six yard box left Kebano with plenty to do. The in-form winger produced a mesmorising bit of control and, after swivelling in the blink of an eye, made light of an acute angle by firing into the roof of the net. He should have had a hat-trick minutes later but contrived to completely miss the target with a volley with only O'Leary to beat.

Wilson almost crowned another lively afternoon of wizardry on the other wing with a curler from just inside the box that just cleared the crossbar. City, whose ambitious approach more than contributed to a compelling spectacle, had chances of their own throughout the second period. King volleyed wide from the edge of area after a Rodak punch, substitute Rob Atkinson headed narrowly over and Weimann was thwarted by Rodak again. But Fulham were on easy street after running riot towards the end of the first half. Following Bournemouth's last-gasp defeat at Luton, Silva's side had seized top spot from Scott Parker's grasp – and sent out another statement of intent.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Reed, Cairney (Chalobah 72); Wilson, Kebano (Decordova-Reid 72), Carvalho; Mitrovic (Muniz 78). Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Odoi, Hector, Stansfield.

GOALS: Mitrovic (21, 41, 45+1), Kebano (31, 57), Carvalho (36).

BRISTOL CITY (3-4-1-2): O'Leary; Vyner, Kalas, Pring; Da Silva (Atkinson 50), O'Dowda (Bakinson 76), Massengo (Martin 50), King; Scott; Semenyo, Weimann. Subs (not used): Bentley, Benarous, Palmer, Wells.

BOOKED: Pring, Scott.

GOALS: Semenyo (7, 29).

REFEREE: Tim Robinson (West Sussex).

ATTENDANCE: 17,810.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/fulham-roar-back-to-hit-robins-for-six/

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Mitrovic scores hat-trick in another thumping Fulham win

Marco Silva says Fulham come-from-behind win over Bristol City demonstrates his team's ruthless streak.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's first-half hat-trick sealed another emphatic victory to return free-scoring Fulham to the top of the table at Craven Cottage.

In a hugely eventful first half, which was delayed by 15 minutes due to power outage, seven goals were scored as Fulham went behind twice after Antoine Semanya scored two goals either side of Mitrovic's first strike.

However, the Whites who scored seven at Reading on Tuesday, hit back in stunning fashion with three goals in 10 minutes from Fabio Carvalho, Neekens Kabano and Mitrovic who then grabbed his third treble of the season on the stroke of halftime to make it 5-2.

Kebano claimed his second goal of the game on the hour to make it six after latching on to a Tosin knock-down from a free-kick and firing past Max O'leary but the Robins managed to keep out any more goals.

Mitrovic's hat-trick took him to 27 for the season eclipsing his total from the 2019/20 promotion-winning season.

"I am very happy, pleased to see the way we did it," Silva said.

"Looking at the performance, I didn't like at all the way we conceded the goals, but I have to congratulate my players for the way they reacted.

"This is the first time this season we came from behind, and this afternoon we came from behind twice.

"For our opponents the message that we send is when they play against us, nothing more.

"Their focus is in their games, our focus in our games. At the end of the season, we will see which team has more points."

"We did it with big determination, and class as well, quality with the way we reacted to score some goals.

"I felt we worked hard because it is really tough everything they have done so far. We deserved the three points."

Fulham: Rodek, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Cairney (Chalobah 71), Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano (De Cordova-Reid 71) Mitrovic (Muniz 72), Subs: not used: Gazzaniga, Odoi, Hector, Stansfield.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-silva-reaction-wls-fulham-hit-six-to-go-top-of-the-table

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Mitrovic marvels at 'big win'

Fulham's hat trick hero Aleksandar Mitrovic hailed a 'big win' as the Whites returned to the top of the table this afternoon after beating Bristol City.

The Serbian's third treble of the season saw him move to equal eleventh in the club's list of leading goalscorers, drawing level with Bobby Robson on 80 goals. He took his tally for this season to incredible 27 with a first half hat-trick and told FFCTV that this result felt significant:

"Big win. A good result for us. Nice to play at home again after almost a month. It was good to pick up three points. I thought we were the best team today and deserved the win. We had to keep trying, but eventually we scored."

A modest Mitrovic played down his personal form, saying he was just happy to be playing football again after the spate of postponements that had seen Fulham have three weeks after Christmas without a fixture.

"I feel good. I feel nice, I feel happy. I hope I will continue with the goals. I feel good – maybe I will be in even better form, you never know? I feel good and I'm happy to be on the pitch."

His thoughts have already turned to Tuesday's meeting with Birmingham City at Craven Cottage – with another win the target as Marco Silva's side will look to strengthen their hold on top spot.

"It's another big game for us. We play again at home. Hopefully, the stadium will be full, nothing too hard. We have to try to win the game and get another three points."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/mitrovic-marvels-at-big-win/

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Silva 'very happy' after another thumping win

Marco Silva was delighted to see Fulham follow up Tuesday's rout of Reading by putting six past Bristol City at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The Fulham head coach was particularly pleased with how his side dealt with twice going behind to early strikes from Antoine Semenyo and the manner in which the Whites went on to record another resounding victory. Silva told his post-match press conference:

"Very happy, pleased to see the way we did it. Looking at the performance, I didn't like at all the way we conceded the goals, but I have to congratulate my players for the way they reacted. This is the first time this season we came from behind, and this afternoon we came from behind twice.

We did it with big determination, and class as well, quality with the way we reacted to score some goals. I felt we worked hard because it is really tough everything they have done so far. We deserved the three points."

"We have to send a message for ourselves first of all, for our fans, for the people that like Fulham Football Club. For our opponents the message that we send is when they play against us, nothing more. Their focus is in their games, our focus in our games. At the end of the season, we will see which team has more points."

Silva lavished praise on Fulham's forward line who looked devastating again this afternoon.

"The way he scored some goals this afternoon, he is Mitrovic, there is nothing more to say. We know his skills, his quality there, what he is capable to do in the box. The way he scored the two headers and the finish for his hat-trick was very good.

Two good goals from Kebano; the second goal is a very good one. He almost made a hat-trick as well, with the big chance in the second half. Our frontline is doing really, really well. Last Tuesday was Harry Wilson in a top level, this afternoon the other two popped up. It is everything as a manager that you want to see."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/silva-very-happy-after-another-thumping-win/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham hit six to leapfrog Cherries and reach Championship summit

ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic propelled Fulham to the top of the Championship ahead of Cherries as the Cottagers twice came from behind to claim a comprehensive 6-2 victory over Bristol City.

Knocked out of the top-two following Blackburn's win at Cardiff earlier on Saturday, Fulham were caught cold in the seventh minute following a slightly delayed kick off, when Antoine Semenyo cut on to his left foot and fired home.

Mitrovic headed Fulham level after 21 minutes and although Semenyo restored the Robins' lead just before the half hour with a long-range effort, the hosts scored four unanswered goals before half-time.

Neeskens Kebano grabbed a second equaliser for Fulham, who hit the front for the first time after 36 minutes thanks to Fabio Carvalho before Mitrovic bagged his 26th and 27th league goals of the season before the break.

Another trademark header in the 41st minute put Fulham 4-2 ahead before the Serb brought a breathless opening half featuring seven goals to an end by firing beyond helpless Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary.

Kebano ensured there would be no fightback from the visitors when he struck after 57 minutes as Fulham leapfrogged Rovers and Cherries.

Scott Parker's men gave Fulham the chance to knock them off first place in the standings after a last-gasp 3-2 defeat at Luton.

Blackburn are level on 49 points with Cherries after Joe Rothwell's 14th-minute curling effort secured a 1-0 win at the Cardiff City Stadium.



https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/19850907.fulham-hit-six-leapfrog-cherries-reach-championship-summit/

[WhiteJC]

Kebano 'very happy' with winning run

Fulham winger Neeskens Kebano was delighted with a fine week's work after Fulham hit Bristol City for six after scoring seven at Reading on Tuesday.

The Congolese winger scored twice as the Whites came from behind to beat the Robins and return to the top of the table. Kebano told FFCTV after the final whistle that he felt stringing together a winning run was vital after Fulham's disappointing December.

"I'm very happy, especially because we have restarted with the victories which was very important for us. In December, we didn't get any wins. Now we have two wins in a row and let's try to get the third one on Tuesday. We had a quite long break. When you have a tough game, you want to bounce back as soon as you can, but we had to wait. We just prepared our weapons to come back even stronger and with more will. I think that's what we are showing these days."

Kebano was modest about his sensational second goal, when he produced a brilliant bit of control and fired in from a tight angle after turning on a sixpence.

"Honestly, I only had one thing on my mind. I knew that Tos would get that ball because he was taller than anyone on the pitch. When the ball came, I tried to take my touch like towards the goal. I got a bit lucky I have to admit it. When you see what I missed after that, wow. Unfortunately, it [scoring a hat trick] is not today – hopefully it is in the coming weeks."

He reiterated that perhaps the most encouraging element of Fulham's big win was the fact that they came from behind to register a victory for the first time this season.

"We knew from the first minute what we wanted. Even if we conceded two goals, we knew we had the resources to come back in the game and that's what we did."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/kebano-very-happy-with-winning-run/

[WhiteJC]

Miss me? Marco Silva's Fulham score 13th goal THIS WEEK as former team Everton woes continue – and Aleksandar Mitrovic is on fire with another hat-trick

We hear all the time about how Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United departure still hangs over the club nearly a decade on, but it's rare the effect it had on Everton is mentioned.

Ferguson's exit not only condemned United fans to a future of constant managerial turnover, but it also triggered David Moyes departure from Everton, and the same aftershock.

Moyes' 11-year tenure at Goodison ended in 2013, and despite some success with Roberto Martinez, the dugout has largely been a circus ever since, to the point where they've even hired one of their most hated rivals.

Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez shocked the world of football when he agreed to takeover last summer, and, unsurprisingly, that experiment looks set to come to an early end.

The Toffees looked to have found an answer when they hired three-time Champions League winning coach Carlo Ancelotti, but the good times ended early when Real Madrid got on the phone.

One other manager that Everton have tried and failed with was Marco Silva, and there are signs they might have made the wrong decision in not giving him more time.

Since leaving his first club Estoril in 2014, Silva hasn't lasted more than a single full season at any club, with spells at Sporting CP, Watford, Hull and Olympiacos.

His stints in England all ended unceremoniously, but now the 44-year-old is back with Fulham in the Championship and things are going rather well.

Silva's Cottagers are currently top of the league with a game in hand and can't stop scoring.

This week alone Fulham have scored 13 goals in just two matches following up a 7-0 destruction of Reading with a 6-2 win over Bristol City.

Fulham's gigantic 64 goals in 25 games are 20 more than second top scorers Blackburn, and the free-flowing football is some of the best ever seen at Craven Cottage.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been a huge part of the goal-fest, finding the net 27 times this season, and is well on his way to beating Ivan Toney's record 31-goal campaign in 2020/21.

That shouldn't distract from the real star of the show though, with Silva excelling with the resources on offer.

The Portuguese only made minor changes to his squad during the summer transfer window, with Harry Wilson the only big change.

However, his side are unrecognisable from the team that left the Premier League without a whimper under Scott Parker.



https://talksport.com/football/1021691/

[WhiteJC]

'Make the statue' – Many Fulham fans react as attacker shines during thrashing of Bristol City

Scoring 13 goals in just four days, Fulham secured a convincing 6-2 victory at home to Bristol City yesterday afternoon.

Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring for the visitors with seven minutes on the clock, before Aleksandar Mitrovic restored parity 14 minutes later.

Semenyo would go on to edge the Robins back into the lead on the half hour mark, however, a relentless 14 minute spell saw the hosts score four times, with the Whites taking a 5-2 lead into the break.

In that 14 minute period, Neeskens Kebano and Fabio Carvalho chipped in with goals, whilst Mitrovic netted another two to claim yet another Championship hat-trick, his third of the season.

It was another stellar performance from Fulham's talisman, taking his Championship goal tally to 27 already this season.

The ever so clinical forward has benefitted massively from the creativity and end-product for the likes of Carvalho, Kebano and Harry Wilson this season, with Fulham's attacking play proving to be too much in the second-tier.

Mitrovic finds himself four goals shy of Ivan Toney's Championship goalscoring record, with the 27-year-old looking on track to break the record with ease.


https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/make-the-statue-many-fulham-fans-react-as-attacker-shines-during-thrashing-of-bristol-city/

[WhiteJC]

B Team Preview: Saints vs Fulham

Southampton's B team face a tough test in Premier League 2 on Monday night, hosting runaway league leaders Fulham at Snows Stadium.

THE MATCH

Saints vs Fulham
Premier League 2
Snows Stadium
Monday 17th January, 7pm GMT
For ticket details see below

After a well fought point in the Premier League Cup on Thursday night at West Brom, Saints will look to bring that fight and determination into Monday night's first Premier League 2 clash of 2022.

They face a Fulham side who are 14 points clear at the top of the division, having lost just once all season and who continued their impressive record last Monday.

After having taken the lead through Keiron Bowie on 27 minutes, hosts Nottingham Forest levelled six minutes into the second half. Only for Jay Stansfield to reclaim the Cottagers' lead ten minutes later.

Saints were last in PL2 action at the end of December, suffering a narrow 4-3 defeat at second placed Norwich City with a youthful looking outfit on the pitch.

TICKET DETAILS

Supporters can catch Saints B in action at home for the first time this season with tickets available at Snows Stadium.

Prices are as follows and can be purchased using the below link:

Adults - £3

Under-18s – Free
Saints B vs Fulham Tickets

Please note that no parking is available at Snows Stadium, but instead is provided at nearby Calmore Industrial Park (approximately a three-minute walk from the ground.)

LAST MEETING

The two sides last met in Fulham's home fixture at the start of September, where a youthful Saints side lined up at Motspur Park.

Under-18s regulars Matt Carson, Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo, Lewis Payne and Kamari Doyle all started the game, which started brightly for the visitors.

Bowie scored Fulham's first on 39 minutes despite the momentum of the game, followed by a two-minute double from Stansfield after the break which sealed the result.

MANAGER'S NOTES

"It's going to be an interesting game," said Dave Horseman, "they actually played West Brom in one of the last games and it was a really good game.

"They're physical, they're old, their Under-18s walked the Under-18s league so this is a golden group for them.

"Let's not get away from the fact that it's going to be a really difficult game, we obviously lose Dynel [Simeu] through suspension now too.

"It's going to be a young group against a more experienced group who are clear at the top, but we're going to have a right good go. We've got good players.

"If we play to how our playbook suggests we'll give them plenty of problems and we'll just have to have that quality to take our chances when they come."


https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-01-16/b-team-preview-southampton-fc-vs-fulham-premier-league-2-2021-22

[WhiteJC]

Jack and Loz at the Cottage When Mitro Scored Another First Half Hat Trick - Blog 205
Date: 15th January 2022

Opposition: Bristol City

Score: 6-2

Fulham goal scorers: 🔥, Kebano, Carvalho,🔥,🔥, Kebano

Weather: chilly

Atmosphere: fantastic

MOTM (football): Aleksandar Mitrovic scores goals. It's what he was put on earth to do. He's hungry, menacing, truly terrifying. But on the day he exceeded his total for 2019-20 and scored his third hat trick of the season, it wasn't just his goals that caught the eye. There's no debate that Mitro has improved his all round game. He has become a pass master and an executive assistant. But on Saturday he was a playmaker - creative, commanding, fully involved and generous as well - he had a shance for a fourth goal but tried to set-up Kebano's hat trick instead. Our combustible hero has become a complete footballer. And a leader.

MOTM (non-football): it was great to see Leroy Rosenior receive his Forever Fulham award at half time. His book, It's Only Banter, is highly recommended

Pub: we had some pre-match Chateau Craven Cottage on the banks of the Thames chatting to old friends and new

As the great Ian Fleming wrote, one is happenstance, twice is coincidence and the third time is enemy action.

Over the festive period, three of Fulham's matches were postponed due to the illness/injuries/hangovers/bad hair days of other sides. It began to look like a conspiracy: the Powers That Be realised that the only way to stop us winning the league was to delay so many of our games that we'd have to play every day in April and twice on Easter Sunday.

Being Fulham, there were only two ways we were going to respond to this enforced and unsettling winter break: struggle to find momentum and slide down the table, or stun the league with Hurricane Fulham.

The team chose the latter approach.

A side which scores seven goals on Tuesday should be brimming with confidence on Saturday. And yet Bristol City started the match the better side and credit to them for taking the game to a free-scoring side without fear and (unlike another team we could mention....) making the most of their shances. Semenyo is some finisher and with their fast attacks and purposeful play they made life very tough at the top of the league.

Although this blog is occasionally very slightly biased towards Fulham, we have to mention the two goals conceded and the fact that both were the result of defensive frailties. Both were alarming reminiscent of Sheffield United's goal - for some reason our otherwise solid defence cannot cope with footballers running at them at speed with the ball. In a sport which involves footballers, a ball and speed this is a major failing and needs some work please, Marco.

But, let's move on. One thing every Fulham side we can remember has struggled with, is coming back from a losing position. On Saturday, we did this twice and, of course, once we went ahead we stayed there. If the reaction to City's first goal was calm and professional, the reaction to the second was immediate and devastating.

Mitro scored the first and it was one of his classics - the tussle with defenders, the well-timed jump, and the unstoppable header. He made the second for Kebano who was quick and nimble. Fulham were back on level terms and there was no more messing about. The team slipped effortlessly into a higher gear and for the rest of the first half we were unplayable.

The football was breathtaking. Pass after pass, possession with intent, mesmerising intensity. Tom Cairney (defensive mistake behind him) was back to his best showing off his passing range, his breadth of vision, and a touch of grace. Harry Wilson was tireless - just when you think he might be beaten for pace he flicks on the afterburners; just when you think he might run out of pitch he finds an extra yard.

Harrison Reed never stopped running and this match was proof that the midfield works better with Tom in the advanced role and Harrison sweeping up. Meanwhile, Fabio Carvalho suddenly woke up and decided to show us what he could do. His solo goal was superb and his enthusiastic applause of the Hammersmith End after the final whistle is hopefully a sign of things to come. [See what we did there?!]

It is worth pausing here to review that first half again because it was Championship football at its entertaining, unpredictable best - 7 goals, 5 for Fulham, 3 for Mitro. It was genuinely one of the best halves we have witnessed at the Cottage and was confirmation of the Reading result: Fulham are scoring goals for fun again. Look out below.

By contrast, a decent second half was disappointing although Kebano's second goal, in which he plucked the ball from the air, spun, shot and scored from a impossibly acutely angle, was arguably the best of the match.

The dynamism waned with the substitutions although all put in good performances, Chalobah in particular. Having been thwarted in his efforts to supply Kebano with his hat trick, Mitro tried to supply Harrison Reed with his first goal but that didn't go well either and Mitro was replaced with the ever enthusiastic Muniz. Despite polite requests from the crowd for a seventh goal the team didn't deliver and Bristol City were relieved not to join the ever growing club of Teams Who Have Conceded Seven to Fulham.

A shout out now to Marek Rodak whose kicking to Mitro was almost 100% perfect. We also have to mention Antonee Robinson who had a strong second half and worked very hard. On the touchline, Marco Silva urged the team to ever faster, greater and more frantic efforts - for him, like us, no amount of goals is ever enough.

Oh, and back to that argument about the best goal - we can't decide between Neeskens #2, Fab's solo slice and dice, and the way Mitro picked his spot and found it with easy elegance for his third. This one will run and run, but hopefully not beyond Tuesday.

This was a ruthless performance from Fulham and the poor string of results in December can be put behind us. The proscribed rest did players still recovering from illness a world of good and sharpened their competitive instincts rather than dousing the flames. To have scored 13 goals in a week is, of course, remarkable, but it was the fact we came from behind twice against City and then flattened them with total dominance which is most promising for us, and most ominous for the rest of the league.

Random musings:-

- like Fulham, Bristol City got worse after their substitutions but that's because they brought on Chris Martin and he thinks Craven Cottage is a train station

- Muniz is as adorable as a puppy. He was desperate to come on - looking longingly at the bench as he warmed up. The Hammy End helped by chanting his name.

- Mitro made very sure he got the match ball! Again.....

- And what were he and Kalas chatting about for so long after the match....?

- thanks to the City fans in the box behind us for adding to the atmosphere!

- had someone unplugged the lights so they could charge Mitro instead?!

- note to the choir: we don't actually have Seri at the moment. Côte d'Ivoire have him and are singing, "Nous Avons Seri"

- Manchester City, we're coming for you.

When you're disappointed that your team only scores six goals it says a lot about you (a few deadly sins included) and more about them: Fulham have scored 13 goals in five days and are back on top of the league with a game in hand. The team look unstoppable. Our goal difference is ridiculous and records are about to fall. We're only half way through the season and it feels like it's about to get even better.

The long run for home, and the title, have begun.


https://werdsmith.com/p/sDzVn72EDraDck