Monday Fulham Stuff - 11/04/02...

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Fulham	1-3	Coventry

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Fulham 1-3 Coventry City

Coventry beat Fulham at Craven Cottage to claim the double over the Londoners this season

Coventry City shocked Championship leaders Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage to delay the home side's seemingly inevitable promotion to the Premier League.

Michael Rose and Viktor Gyokeres scored four minutes apart a quarter of the way through the game to give the away team a commanding lead.

Substitute Bobby Decordova-Reid's neat, left-foot finish set up a grandstand end to the game after the hosts had squandered a number of chances, with Rodrigo Muniz's deflected effort almost finding its way in to equalise.

Callum O'Hare tapped into an empty net following a howler from Fulham captain Tim Ream in added time to secure the points that moved Coventry up to 10th in the table, six points off a play-off place, while Fulham still need two wins to guarantee automatic promotion.

Coventry took the lead from a corner as Rose leaped highest to divert the ball past Marek Rodak in the Fulham net.

The Slovakian was picking the ball out of his net again four minutes later, and this time he was at fault as he let Gyokeres's long-range shot go through him for 2-0.

Fulham carved out their best chance of the first half when Neeskens Kebano met Neco Williams' cross on the volley, crashing his shot against the crossbar.

Coventry almost had the game won just before the interval but Fulham somehow managed to keep the ball out from a corner, blocking three shots before finally getting the ball away.

Marco Silva sent on Decordova-Reid at half-time in place of Nathaniel Chalobah to inject more pace into the attack and it almost had an instant impact, with Decordova-Reid's ball in turned narrowly wide by Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Harry Wilson fizzed a free-kick just over from a threatening position before chances for Williams and Mitrovic as the hosts cranked up the pressure.

Decordova-Reid pulled one back with eight minutes to play before Mitrovic sent two headers over.

And deep into added time Fulham's hard work was undone when O'Hare turned the ball home following Ream's mistake to kill any hopes of a late point for the hosts.

Fulham boss Marco Silva said:

"This afternoon they were more confident and better than us.

"I have to give praise to them, I know at this level it's tough [to win games].

"It wasn't our afternoon in terms of being clinical because we had six or seven chances to score, we lost this game because of mistakes."

Coventry boss Mark Robins said:

"It's the first time we've won away from home against one of the top 10 teams.

"We created a number of chances on the counter-attack and the position of our defenders against a top scorer (Mitrovic) who's the record holder in the Championship now was very good. The way we played was superb really."

On play-off hopes: "Until it's mathematically impossible, of course we have [to believe we can do it].

"We just try to play the best we can in any given game."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60970958

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Marco's Post-Coventry press conference

Marco Silva expressed his disappointment after his side lost 3-1 to Coventry City on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Michael Rose and Victor Gyokeres had the visitors two-up at the interval and despite a late Bobby De Cordova-Reid goal to give the home support some hope, a Callum O'Hare goal at the death confirmed defeat for the Whites.

"I have to give credit to them," Marco began. "It's been tough for us, like it is for the others, with two games in four days.

"It's about focus and concentration every time. They punished us for mistakes in the first goal, the second goal and the third goal.

"It's these types of games that we need to control. We tried to rush too much.

"They had moments on the counter-attack. We had some moments ourselves with clear chances to score but it wasn't our afternoon.

"We had six or seven chances to score and if we scored them, it would have been a different result. We lost this game from individual mistakes.

"This afternoon, they were more confident than us, without reason. They were better than us, more confident than us and the game was decided from individual mistakes."

Marco recognised the strong individuals that were in the visitor's side, who were effective in making the afternoon a difficult one for the Whites.

"He did his job well," said Marco of Coventry's 'keeper, Simon Moore. "They have a very strong striker (Viktor Gyökores) who created many problems for our back line."

Marco attempted to change his side's fortunes at the break when he brought on Bobby De-Cordova Reid in place of Nathaniel Chalobah.

"We were not creating enough problems," explained Marco. "We tried to change to a more offensive player.

"It was tough to decide who would come off as Harrison is a bit more dynamic and Chalobah is a bit more physical. Chalobah wasn't why we were losing the game.

Asked about whether the players felt pressured to win this game with promotion security on the horizon, Marco replied: "I don't see a reason for there to be any pressure.

"I hope my players don't feel it. It's our job. Pressure is normal in our job and we have to be comfortable dealing with this pressure and to face the challenge."

Looking ahead to our next game on Good Friday, against Derby County, Marco is hoping to see a reaction from his players.

"I am confident that we will fight and go again. Our focus is the game, to do our best and to win the match."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/april/10/marcos-post-coventry-press conference/

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Fulham 1-3 Coventry: Marco Silva's Championship leaders suffer shock defeat against play-off chasing Sky Blues at Craven Cottage

    Top-of-the-table Fulham were beaten at home by a resilient Coventry on Sunday
    Michael Rose and striker Victor Gyokeres put the visitors 2-0 up in the first half
    Bobby Reid pulled one back but Callum O'Hare put the gloss on the game late on

Fulham have led the Championship since mid-January and turned the title race into a procession.

They've maintained such high standards that off-days such as this will only delay the inevitable. Fulham will have to wait until after Easter to seal their Premier League comeback now.

But Coventry have certainly had their number this season. Six points and seven goals scored against the champions-elect in two matches, just one conceded. It's always one of football's great curiosities.

Mark Robins brought his team to Craven Cottage and told them to do something most visitors don't think - or dare - to do.

They got in Fulham's faces and they attacked them. They didn't give them a moment's peace in midfield and when the hosts started to pepper their goal after half-time, they dropped back, dug in and remained intact.

Viktor Gyokeres, who scored the second of Coventry's quick-fire double midway through the first-half after Michael Rose's headed opener, was a constant menace. Callum O'Hare and Gustavo Hamer also enjoyed superb games, the former wrapping it up deep into stoppage time.

They only looked flustered after Bobby Decordova-Reid halved the deficit late on but Fulham will just have to be patient when it comes to uncorking the champagne that's been on ice for ages now.

Six points from their Easter games against Derby and Preston will do it.

Nottingham Forest's win over Birmingham on Saturday ruined any chance of sealing promotion here and given their sluggish opening here, it was probably just as well there wasn't more riding on it.

Tosin Adarabioyo's early miskick allowed Hamer through on goal and while Coventry couldn't capitalise it was one of those little signs it might not be a comfortable afternoon for the leaders.

Many sides come to Craven Cottage and settle into a defensive pattern, too reluctant to commit players forward in case they're carved open.

But perhaps inspired by their 4-1 win over Fulham back in October, Coventry threw caution to the wind and gained rewards in an open contest.

Dominic Hyam headed over the top from Ian Maatsen's free-kick from the right before Fulham youngster Fabio Carvalho burst into the box and drew a save from Simon Moore.

But Coventry were undoubtedly the brighter team and they left the Cottage stunned with two goals in the space of four minutes.

The first came when Rose leaped at the near post to flick Hamer's whipped corner home, potentially via a touch off Antonee Robinson.

The Scot doesn't score too many - that was just his fourth for the club - but it gave Fulham a bloody nose.

And they were reeling when Gyokeres doubled the lead shortly afterwards thanks to a howler from keeper Marek Rodak.

There appeared little on when the Swede collected the ball on the edge of the Fulham box but he worked space to shoot from 20 yards.

Rodak looked to have it covered but somehow allowed the ball to bobble over him and in.

Coventry's vociferous travelling support sang 'top of the league, you're having a laugh' and you wondered why they aren't in the play-off picture on this evidence.

Fulham have too much in attack not to respond. In between the two goals, Carvalho had seen a curling effort deflected just wide and Moore got down well to save an Aleksandar Mitrovic header as the Serb looked to add to his extraordinary goal return.

But they came closest prior to half-time when Neeskens Kebano stuck out a leg to meet an excellent Neco Williams cross and saw the ball smack off the bar.

It might have been even better for Coventry just before half-time. Ben Sheaf had two efforts amid a goalmouth scramble, his first blocked by Mitrovic and the second cleared off the line by Williams.

Marco Silva threw on Decordova-Reid at half-time in an effort to get Fulham going but Coventry enjoyed the first decent chance of the second-half.

Hamer pinched the ball in midfield and ran into the box before forcing Rodak into a low save. At the other end, Carvalho headed wide from Harry Wilson's cross.

Williams chested the ball down on the edge of the box and drew a stop from Moore, before Wilson's 20-yard free-kick fizzed narrowly over.

Now the chances were flowing for Fulham and Williams let fly from outside the box, with Moore again equal to the threat.

Coventry were grateful for any opportunity to get upfield but they did create chances to put the game to bed. Maatsen's effort was deflected over after fine work by Callum O'Hare.

Finally Fulham found the net after 82 minutes. Decordova-Reid sprung them forwards and swept home nicely after a one-two with Josh Onomah wide on the left.

For the first time, Coventry looked panicked. Moore kept out a strike from Rodrigo Muniz and momentarily it looked like the ball might fall to Mitrovic.

The Championship's top scorer would then head just over in a frenetic finish but O'Hare had the final word, tapping into an unguarded net after Hamer forced Tim Ream into an error. 



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10705091/Fulham-1-3-Coventry-Marco-Silvas-league-leaders-suffer-defeat-against-play-chasing-Sky-Blues.html

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Fulham's blunders punished in surprise home defeat

Premier League-bound Fulham suffered a surprise defeat at Craven Cottage, where awful errors by Marek Rodak and Tim Ream were punished.

The Whites, who remain on the verge of promotion back to the top flight, were stunned by two Coventry City goals in the space of four minutes midway through the first half.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid pulled a goal back late on, but Ream stepping on the ball led to Callum O'Hare adding a third for the Sky Blues in stoppage time.

Centre-back Michael Rose opened the scoring by heading home Gustavo Hamer's left-wing corner.

Rodak then fumbled Viktor Gyokeres' shot, allowing the ball to squirm past him and into the net.

That left Fulham facing an uphill task, but they almost reduced the deficit before the interval when Neco Williams' right-wing cross was volleyed against the bar by Neeskens Kebano.

In the second half, Fabio Carvalho headed wide from a cross by Harry Wilson, who fired just over from a free-kick as the Championship leaders turned up the pressure.

Simon Moore dived to his right to push away a rasping shot from Williams but the former Brentford keeper was unable to prevent De Cordova-Reid scoring with seven minutes remaining.

De Cordova-Reid laid the ball to his left to Josh Onomah and collected the return pass from his fellow substitute before shooting into the bottom corner.

As Fulham tried in vain to find an equaliser, Moore kept out Rodrigo Muniz's deflected effort and Antonee Robinson's cross was headed over by Aleksandar Mitrovic.

And Coventry sealed their win when Hamer capitalised on Ream's stumble by laying the ball across for O'Hare to score with a simple tap-in.

Fulham: Rodak, Williams (Onomah 74), Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Chalobah (De Cordova-Reid 45), Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano (Muniz 74), Mitrovic.
Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Hector, Bryan, Seri.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulhams-blunders-punished-in-surprise-home-defeat-by-coventry

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Sky Blues stun sloppy Fulham again

If this was meant to a simple Sunday stroll that took Fulham closer to an immediate return to the Premier League, then for the second time this season Coventry had failed to read the script. The Sky Blues, who stormed to an impressive home win over Marco Silva's side in October despite conceding an early own goal, upset the Championship's runaway leaders in a committed display that married work ethic with invention and punished the hapless hosts for their complacency. The damage was done by the concession of two goals in four first half minutes, but the visitors – roared on by a raucous travelling following – defended diligently even after substitute Bobby Decordova-Reid halved Fulham's arrears and fully deserved Callum O'Hare's clinching third in stoppage time.

Fulham stood six points from the promised land at kick off, but they played as though promotion had been sealed long ago. Silva cut an exasperated figure on the sideline, waving his arms around furiously, almost in disbelief at the lethargy displayed by his side – who have been outstanding for most of this campaign. Just as in the Midlands in October, Fulham were found wanting when faced with an opposition willing to hassle and harry them and Coventry were ruthless in exploiting the gaps in the home rearguard. Signs that something was array appeared early when Tosin Adarabioyo's horrid error allowed Gustavo Hamer a run at goal – and that set the tone for an edge-of-the-seat afternoon for home fans.

The Sky Blues weren't content to just set back in a disciplined defensive shape like so many teams who have come to Craven Cottage this season. They poured numbers forward and had the better of the early exchanges. Dominic Hyam should have done better than send a free header over from an Ian Maatsen free-kick and, although Fabio Carvalho did draw a sharp save from Simon Moore at his near post, pressure on the away goal was a rare occurrence in the first twenty minutes. City's sense of adventure was rewarded when Michael Rose flicked Hamer's corner goalwards and Marek Rodak was left wrongfooted by a deflection off the recalled Antonee Robinson.

Carvalho, rumoured to have agreed a move to Liverpool in the summer, almost hit back immediately for Fulham curling a shot fractionally wide of the far post from 20 yards out but the leaders were rocked by conceding a second from Coventry's next attack. There appeared to be little danger when Viktor Gyokeres collected possession twenty yards from goal but a clever touch and shimmer created the space for a speculative shot. Rodak looked well positioned to make a simple save but the Slovakian goalkeeper didn't get enough behind it and the ball bounced through him and into the net. Silva has reportedly been searching for an upgrade in goal as he plots Fulham's Premier League return – and this ghastly error might hasten that particular recruitment exercise.

Fulham were stirred from their stupor by the shock of going two goals down. The previously quiet Aleksandar Mitrovic forced Moore to smuggle his header behind before Neeskens Kebano saw an instinctive attempt to divert Neco Williams' cross golabound come back off the crossbar. It was still Coventry who looked likelier to add to their commanding cushion with Ben Shea seeing two shots in quick succession blocked by Mitrovic and Williams. A disgrunted Silva sent on Decordova-Reid after the break, but the pattern of the first period remained unhindered.

Hamer stepped in to seize possession on the halfway line and ran half the length of the field before extending Rodak. Fulham did up the ante with Carvalho guiding a Harry Wilson cross wide with his header, Williams' rasping drive bringing a good save out of Moore and Wilson narrowly off target with a trademark free-kick. Coventry, hanging on a bit, were desperate for a some relief that was almost provided when O'Hare did brilliantly to fashion a chance for Maatsen, but the on-loan Chelsea wing back saw his shot deflected over.

Fulham did set up something of a grandstand finish when Decordova-Reid drove in his first goal in five matches after a clever exchange of passes with Josh Onomah. Suddenly, Coventry looked rattled. They might have conceded an equaliser to substitute Rodrigo Muniz, but the Brazilian's low shot was clawed away by Moore. Mitrovic and Muniz threatened to cause carnage in the box but the ball wouldn't drop for a white shirt – and as the hosts pressed for a second, calamity struck at the other end. Tim Ream's 250th Fulham appearance ended in disaster as Hamer seized on an underhit pass from the American and cut the ball back for the byline to supply the excellent O'Hare with the simplest of finishes from close range.

That inevitable promotion will just have to wait.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Williams (Onomah 75), A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Chalobah (Decordova-Reid 45), Reed; Wilson, Kebano (Muniz 74), Carvalho; Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Hector, Bryan, Seri.

BOOKED: Wilson.

GOAL: Decordova-Reid (82).

COVENTRY CITY (3-5-1-1): Moore; Rose, Hyam, Bidwell; Dabo, Allen, Sheaf, Hamer, Maatsen; O'Hare; Gyokeres. Subs (not used): Wilson, Tyler; Kane, Howley, Waghorn, Bapaga, Tavares.

BOOKED Dabo, Sheaf, Moore, Hamer.

GOALS: Rose (20), Gyokeres (24), O'Hare (90+2).

REFEREE: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

ATTENDANCE: 19,041.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/04/sky-blues-stun-sloppy-fulham-again/

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Silva slams 'individual mistakes'

Marco Silva was bitterly disappointed with a below-par Fulham display as the league leaders were well beaten by Coventry City at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The Fulham head coach blamed individual errors for giving his side a mountain to climb. A howler from goalkeeper Marek Rodak allowed Victor Gyokeres' speculative shot to give the Sky Blues a 2-0 lead before a mistake from Tim Ream in stoppage time extinguished the hope that had been provided by Bobby Decordova-Reid's goal with eight minutes left.

Silva told his post-match press conference:

"It's about focus and concentration every time. They punished us for mistakes in the first goal, the second goal and the third goal. It's these types of games that we need to control. We tried to rush too much. They had moments on the counter-attack. We had some moments ourselves with clear chances to score but it wasn't our afternoon.

We had six or seven chances to score and if we scored them, it would have been a different result. We lost this game from individual mistakes. This afternoon, they were more confident than us, without reason. They were better than us, more confident than us and the game was decided from individual mistakes."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/04/silva-slams-individual-mistakes/

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Fulham 1-3 Coventry City: Player ratings

Marek Rodak: Not sure what it is with our goalkeepers gifting Coventry goals, Gazzaniga was the culprit last time but today it was Rodak. He misjudged Gyoekeres effort and the ball squirmed over his body. He was called on in the second half and made a reasonable save but there wasn't enough from him to recover his rating to anything higher than a 3 today. 3

Neco Williams: Neco struggled to find his recent form and numerous through balls down our right hand side had him chasing back and out of position in the first half. He looked a little more solid in the second half but it didn't prevent Coventry getting through down Neco's side on a number of occasions. He should be commended for a brilliant goal line clearance and block moments later to prevent us going in 3-0 down at the break. 5

Tosin Adarabioyo: He seemed to be socially distancing in the first half as he was nowhere near his man and though Rodak should have comfortably saved the goal, Tosin had a part to play in Coventry's second. He struggled to deal with the strength and pace in Coventry's attack all game long. 4

Tim Ream: Not what he'd have wanted from his 250th game in a Fulham shirt. He went in at half time looking like the man of the match from a Fulham point of view, without him the scoreline could've been significantly worse. Unfortunately his rating has been massively hampered by his part in Coventry's third goal. A lapse in concentration saw him hand Coventry the ball and from there it was easy. 6

Antonee Robinson: At points in this game I thought I'd be giving him an 8 but moments later a 3. His final ball was severely limited for the most part and as it has been all season it's a highly frustrating part of his game and he had a poor first half but who didn't! Having said that, I thought he looked okay defensively and was really our only player to break through the Coventry midfield and put us on the attacking foot which was essential in setting up some late hope. 6

Harrison Reed: I struggle to see why he's still being played in a more attacking role when he's shown time and time again that he's immense at CDM. He struggled to create anything whilst playing more advanced and looked a lot more comfortable when he was playing in front of the backline. 5

Nathaniel Chalobah: As I mentioned, I think Reed does a better job in the CDM role and if we're playing Chalobah any higher up the pitch then I'd have Onomah in there instead when Cairney is out but that's just my personal opinion. We looked a lot more compact and dynamic in the second half once he came off. 4

Fabio Carvalho: The news broke in the week that he's signed with Liverpool and maybe it's skewed my perception of him but I didn't feel he performed well today. Although the was unlucky not to score in the final moments but at 3-1 down had his shot found the net instead of the bar it wouldn't have made much difference. 5

Harry Wilson: He lacked a cutting edge today but most of our attacking play came down the right hand side where he was inevitably involved. I can't be the only one who thought his second half free-kick was about to nestle into the net after he did well to earn the free-kick in the first place. 6

Neeskens Kebano: I was pleased to see him back in the starting line-up today, we've missed creativity down the left hand side since his injury but that continued today despite his return. He almost found the net in the first half but his close range volley skimmed off the crossbar. Aside from that it rarely looked like he would trouble the Coventry defence. 4

Aleksandar Mitrovic: It's no longer possible for Mitrovic to score against every side in the division this season but that shouldn't be the case. He had enough chances to score two or three but his finishing wasn't on point. He drew a decent save from Moore in the first half but in the second he couldn't find the target with three good opportunities. Still plenty of time to break the 42 goal record and I certainly wouldn't bet against him doing it. 4

Substitutes:

Bobby Decordova-Reid: The change to bring Decordova-Reid on changed the game, unfortunately not enough but we certainly looked a lot better and posed a real threat which unfortunately we couldn't capitalise on until the 80th minute when BDR stepped up himself to slot the ball into the bottom left of the net. Aside from that he looked lively and added another dimension in the midfield where I feel he plays his best football. 6

Josh Onomah: I thought it was a good cameo from Onomah. He was solid in the middle and drove us forward with some progressive passing and a neat bit of play to take him from within our half to the left hand side of the Coventry area were he was able to put it on a plate for BDR. I wouldn't mind seeing more from him especially after the Carvalho news. 6

Rodrigo Muniz: It took him some time to get into the game but his deflected shot almost caught Moore out to give us an equaliser and he caused problems for the Coventry defence before Carvalho smacked the woodwork. Not too bad for a short spell on the pitch. 5



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/04/fulham-1-3-coventry-city-player-ratings/

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Potential Fulham and Sheffield United transfer blow emerges on 25-year-old

Premier League side West Ham United have actively scouted Fulham and Sheffield United transfer target Josh Cullen ahead of a potential move in the summer, according to journalist Dean Jones who spoke to Give Me Sport.

The midfielder currently plies his trade under ex-Manchester City centre-back Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht – and has been one of the first names on the teamsheet in the Belgian top tier, making 34 league appearances and rarely being substituted.

Appearing 43 times in all competitions and narrowly missing out on a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League as they fell out at the qualifying phase to Vitesse, he has generated interest in his signature ahead of a potential move back to England.

And there are certainly no shortage of teams currently monitoring his situation, with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Leeds United, Burnley, Norwich City, the Cottagers and the Blades the teams thought to be in the running for his signature according to TEAMtalk.

This could put the latter two at a disadvantage with the rest of those teams currently plying their trade in the top tier, though Marco Silva's men look set to win promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

But even they may face a tall order in recruiting him, with West Ham, the club Cullen spent most of his footballing days at as an academy graduate at the London Stadium, taking a closer look at him.

This is according to reporter Jones, who said: "I was told they (West Ham) are keeping an eye on him. They have scouted him again and he could be someone they look to."

The Verdict:

Conor Hourihane's future is currently uncertain and it's unclear whether Paul Heckingbottom will pursue a permanent move for the Irishman at Bramall Lane, so having more midfield options can only be a boost for them.

Arguably, they could have benefitted from one more addition in this area when Adlene Guedioura left South Yorkshire – but they have seemed to have coped reasonably well. However, that doesn't mean they don't need more depth.

And a player of Sander Berge's quality will always attract interest, so targeting Cullen would make sense, though promotion may need to be achieved if they want to have any chance of luring him to Sheffield.

From Fulham's point of view, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa doesn't look set to be at Craven Cottage beyond the end of this upcoming summer, so they may want a top-tier option in the middle of the park in their attempts to secure a place at the highest level for the long term.

Considering how much of an asset Cullen has been for his current side, you would certainly back him to make the step to the English top flight and if he can prove to be a capable option, he could establish himself as one of the best signings of this summer's window.

He would be a useful addition for both second-tier sides and this is why this latest news is something of a blow – because the midfielder is probably dreaming of a return to the Hammers.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/potential-fulham-and-sheffield-united-transfer-blow-emerges-on-25-year-old/