Sunday Fulham Stuff - 28/08/22...

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Results

Saturday
Southampton	0-1	Man Utd
Brentford	1-1	Everton
Brighton	1-0	Leeds
Chelsea	2-1	Leicester
Liverpool	9-0	Bournemouth
Man City	4-2	Palace
Arsenal	2-1	Fulham

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Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

Arsenal sit two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table

Gabriel made up for a horrible error to score the winner against Fulham and maintain leaders Arsenal's winning start to the Premier League season.

The defender lost possession on the edge of his own box to allow Aleksandar Mitrovic to put Fulham ahead.

But after Martin Odegaard equalised with a deflected strike, Gabriel redeemed himself with a scrambled finish from close range in the 85th minute.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale then made a crucial save to deny Fulham's Nathaniel Chalobah an equaliser in added time.

Victory ensured Arsenal kept up their 100% start to the season and stayed top of the table, despite being frustrated for large parts by the visitors.

Mikel Arteta's side controlled possession and had numerous chances, with Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all coming close before Mitrovic stunned the Gunners with the opener.

Substitute Eddie Nketiah added much-needed energy for Arsenal when he was introduced shortly after Arteta's side fell behind and after the impressive Odegaard's equaliser, Gabriel thumped the ball home after a scramble following a corner.

The result ends Fulham's impressive unbeaten start to their return to the top flight while Arsenal strengthen their credentials as a growing force under Arteta.

Gabriel plays villain and hero
The cost of Gabriel's mistake could have been a heavy one, with Arsenal appearing poised to fall behind Manchester City on goal difference in the table if they had dropped two points against the Cottagers.

They needed some fortune to get over the line as well as a smart stop from Ramsdale in added time to push Chalobah's effort away from goal.

Odegaard was rewarded for his endeavour and creativity as his curling effort took a wicked deflection nine minutes after Gabriel's mistake - and that gave Arsenal the impetus to drive forward in search of the three points.

However, as chances continued to fall away from Arsenal players, there was a growing feeling they would drop points for the first time this season.

Gabriel, who pulled his shirt over his head seconds after the Serbia striker slotted the opener, was the most determined as the ball dropped in front of goal and he forced the ball home.

It was the perfect way to mark Arteta's 100th Premier League game in charge and Arsenal will seek to end August with five wins out of five when they host inconsistent Aston Villa on the final day of the month.

For Fulham, it was a disappointing result but another encouraging performance, follow their opening-weekend draw with Liverpool, and Marco Silva's side look at home in this company.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62614440

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Marco's Post-Arsenal press conference

Marco Silva spoke to the press following his sides 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

Aleksandar Mitrović opened the scoring in the second-half but goals from Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel meant that Fulham lost their first Premier League game of the season.

"Tough, tough result for us," Silva began. "Credit for our players. I think they deserve more from this game than we took.

"Arsenal had more possession, more around our box, more shots for sure, more corners but I don't see many clear chances from them, even if they are around our box more than I would like to see."

Despite not taking any points back to Craven Cottage, Marco spoke positively on his sides display.

"Better second-half than the first-half on the ball from ourselves. We knew that the space would start to appear more in the second-half," Marco described.

"Credit to Arsenal in the way they pressed us in the first-half. We didn't play on the ball with the dynamic that I like to see.

"In our defensive organisation, we did really well from the first minute. The organisation, the togetherness, the commitment there with our plan and the players stuck with our plan until the last.

"Our reaction after going 1-1, then 2-1 was really good as well. We took many positives.

"In that moment, the way they scored that goal with the deflection was bad luck and the second goal, they don't know how they scored the goal, that's the reality.

"It didn't come for us the result but this attitude, this commitment we showed this afternoon, it will come for us I don't have doubts."

It was a return to his former club for Bernd Leno on Saturday and Marco was keen to praise our new goalkeeper on his performance.

"Great, great performance," said Marco. "He is giving us everything what I expected from him.

"Quality, class, maturity, experiences, he's giving everything, and he can give more.

"Great performance from him and I know more will come from him.

"I was really pleased the way he wanted to join us as well and he's a top, top, top goalkeeper and he will help us a lot. This evening was a good example, last week as well and more is coming from him."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/august/27/Marcos-Post-Arsenal-press conference/

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U18s claim thrilling 5-4 win at Fulham

West Ham United U18s continued their fantastic goalscoring run to come from behind and claim a thrilling 5-4 win away to Fulham

Callum Marshall gave the Irons the advantage with a close-ranged goal from a corner inside three minutes but the Cottagers stormed to a 3-1 lead, with Luc De Fougerolles levelling for Fulham before Aaron Loupalo scored twice.

Gideon Kodua's one-on-one finish on the 30 minute mark gave the Hammers hope of a comeback, which the away side managed early in the second half as Lewis Orford tucked home before Marshall grabbed his second with a brilliant strike.

Kodua notched his second – and West Ham's fifth – on 79 minutes before Fulham pulled one back from the penalty spot through Tom Olyott late on.

Despite the side finding free-flowing form in terms of goals scored, U18s coach Mark Phillips is looking for the team to make immediate improvements defensively.

"It was a very good game for the neutral," Phillips told whufc.com. "I would describe it almost as a basketball game.

"We need to look at ourselves defensively and we know it has to be better. With our attacking ability, we've always got the chance of scoring goals, but we need to defend better as a team. We gave away a couple of cheap goals against Fulham which, to be fair to our players, they know and have said themselves after the game."

The U18s headed into Saturday's London derby with two wins from their opening two matches of the campaign, and it was the perfect start for the Hammers at Motspur Park.

An early corner for the visitors was taken by Oliver Scarles and Marshall was able to get clear of the Fulham defence, knocking home with his head from two yards.

Despite the Hammers' exquisite start, Fulham got back into the game on 10 minutes when De Fougerolles netted, before Loupalo turned the match around for the home side just three minutes later, giving them the lead.

Loupalo would grab his second – and Fulham's third – not long after, giving Kevin Keen's Hammers a huge mountain to climb after just 24 minutes.

A goal before half-time would be crucial for the Irons and it would come thanks to Gideon Kodua. Dan Rigge slotted a brilliant pass through to the striker, who in turn netted a clinical finish to reduce the deficit and give a 3-2 score at the interval.

The U18s, buoyed by Kodua's strike, flew out of the traps at the start of the second half and got their reward for a fast opening.

Orford levelled the game five minutes into the second period with another one-on-one finish and the match was turned on its head, back in West Ham's favour, when Marshall grabbed his second with a thunderbolt of an effort on 55 minutes.

Kodua gave the Irons breathing room 11 minutes from time with his second, and the team's fifth, although a late penalty for the home side – netted by Olyott – ensured a nervy close to proceedings in west London.

Despite further pressure from Fulham, West Ham were able to hold on for a third win out of three league games played.

Phillips, further reflecting on the team's defensive efforts, continued: "Last year, we had a great season and defensively, we were a lot tighter at the back and a lot harder to break down.

"This year, we need to do more work on it. We're scoring a lot of goals but that's not going to get us wins in every single game.

"We work on our defence just as much as our attack in training and, from a defensive point of view, it was a poor day at the office. But we know we can go away and work on it."

Despite some lessons from a defensive standpoint, the win takes West Ham United U18s to the top of the Premier League U18 South table, and Phillips believes the team can take heart from their efforts early on in the 2022/223 campaign.

He added: "We've had two really good performances this season, against Crystal Palace and Southampton, and I'd have liked this to have been an even better one. But we got the result.

"In the previous two games, we played excellently. If you look back on the U18s league table in the last few years, Palace, Southampton and Fulham have all been up there at the top. From a purely results standpoint, we've played those three and won against them, which can only bode well for us in the rest of the season."



https://www.whufc.com/news/u18s-claim-thrilling-5-4-win-fulham

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Marco Silva rues Arsenal's two 'lucky' goals and claims his Fulham stars 'deserve to get something more' after Gabriel's late strike inflicted first defeat of the season on newly-promoted side

    Marco Silva says Martin Odegaard and Gabriel's goals for Arsenal were 'lucky'
    The Fulham boss believes Fulham deserved to get something out of the game
    Silva was unhappy at the referee's decisions and he called for new signings 

Marco Silva was left to rue two 'lucky' goals after Fulham suffered late heartbreak at league leaders Arsenal.

Aleksandar Mitrovic profited from an error by Gabriel Magalhaes to give the visitors a second-half lead.

But Arsenal turned defeat into victory thanks to Martin Odegaard's deflected shot and Gabriel's winner, five minutes from time, which came after a corner dropped his way.


Fulham boss Marco Silva is adamant his players deserved to get a result against Arsenal

'It was a tough, tough result,' Silva said. 'They didn't have many clear chances, they had two goals and both were lucky goals... the way they scored the first goal with the deflection is really bad luck and we don't know how they scored the second.'

The Fulham boss added: 'Credit for our players, they deserved more than we took from this game.

Arsenal's obligation was more possession, more shots, more corners, but I didn't see many clear chances from them.

With the score at 1-1, Mitrovic had a header beaten away by Aaron Ramsdale before a shot hit Ben White and Fulham demanded a penalty for handball.

Then, after Gabriel's late goal, Nathaniel Chalobah forced another smart save by Ramsdale.

'It's a tough defeat for us. My players deserve to get something more from the game,' Silva added.

'They are confident, creating so many chances against the teams we have played so far.'


Silva was also unhappy with some of the referee's decisions and he called for reinforcements

Silva was also unhappy at some refereeing decisions but admitted afterwards that Fulham need reinforcements.

'Everyone who sees football or understands football can see that,' he added.

'We don't have wingers on the bench, we don't have a striker on the bench.

'I'm not here to find excuses, but at this level you have to have more solutions.'

The result means Arsenal have now won four from four, while a first defeat for newly-promoted Fulham sees them drop to 11th.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11152937/Marco-Silva-rues-Arsenals-two-lucky-goals-claims-Fulham-deserve-more.html

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'A battle to be proud of' - Fulham's Anglo-Nigerian CB reacts to narrow loss to Arsenal

Fulham's Anglo-Nigerian central defender Tosin Adarabioyo took to social media on Saturday night to react to the Cottagers' narrow 2-1 loss to Arsenal in a Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium.

After a goalless first half with chances few and far between, the game sprung to life in the second half with three goals scored.

The Gunners came out on top but did actually go behind during the contest as Aleksandar Mitrović netted the opening goal after robbing Gabriel off the ball in the 56th minute.

Mikel Arteta's team were back on level terms when Ødegaard's effort took a deflection off Tosin and ended up in the net at minute 64.

Five minutes from time, Gabriel atoned for his error by poking home from close range after the ball fell kindly to him.

Tosin, who made some crucial interceptions and tackles during the game, was pleased with Fulham's display against the most in-form team in the Premier League so far this season.

The Manchester City academy product tweeted : "A battle to be proud of, just not quite our day today. Lots of positives to take back to the Cottage on Tuesday evening. See you all then!"

A battle to be proud of, just not quite our day today. Lots of positives to take back to the Cottage on Tuesday evening. See you all then! @FulhamFC 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/ty1EHh5Idt

— Tosin Adarabioyo (@TosinAdarabioyo) August 27, 2022

Arsenal have won each of their four matches of a Premier League season for the first time in eighteen years, while Fulham's unbeaten start to the campaign ended.

The north London club will be aiming to make it five wins in a row against Aston Villa on August 31, a day after Fulham host Brighton & Hove at Craven Cottage.


Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=44620

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Fighting Fulham outgunned at death
The reactions told you everything. An incensed Marco Silva could barely bring himself to shake the hand of referee Jared Gillett after neither the Australian official or the video assistant spotted anything wrong with Arsenal's winner – stabbed home by Gabriel following a robust challenge on Bernd Leno and a possible handball by Bukayo Saka. In the opposite dugout, Mikel Arteta celebrated the goal by rushing along the touchline in a moment of pure joy. The Gunners, who looked like they would lose not just their 100% start but their unbeaten record too, had turned it around without touching the heights of their fine early season form.

Fulham fought manfully and it was always a tall order to come away from the Emirates, especially when you consider that the Cottagers have never won a competitive game at Arsenal. Their most recent memory of this stadium, during the lockdown, was a late leveller from Eddie Nketiah, a substitute who helped change the complexion of today's game, that was contentiously adjudged onside. A furious Joachim Andersen kicked over a water dispenser in the away dressing room afterwards as Fulham's feint hopes of avoiding relegation went up in smoke. This defeat was nothing like as damaging – coming at the end of an outstanding few weeks back in the top flight – but it was just as gut-wrenching.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's hundredth goal for the Whites proved only academic in the final analysis, but the Serbian had delivered a textbook display of number nine play for a side operating exclusively on the counter-attack. On the day that Scott Parker, the manager who deemed him barely worthy of a start the last time Fulham limped out of the Premier League, masterminded Bournemouth's 9-0 defeat at Liverpool, Mitrovic pressed fluently from the front, held up the ball impressively and punished a glaring error from Gabriel with ruthless efficiency – firing a measured finish across Aaron Ramsdale and into the bottom corner.

Arsenal dominated the first half, finishing the opening 45 minutes, with 72% of the possession but with nothing to show for it. The closest they came to breaking the deadlock was when Gabriel Martinelli clipped the crossbar with an inswinging corner, although Leno did make himself big to save from Saka. Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo made last-ditch tackles to deny Gabriel Jesus a sight of goal, but Fulham weren't overstretched regularly. There were some boos from the home fans as half time came: the restlessness only increased as the visitors became more expansive after the interval.

Arsenal were guilty of overplaying at the back with Saka chipping a ball from his own corner flag across to Gabriel, whose heavy touch let in Mitrovic. The centre back no clue that the Serbian master marksmen was lurking and Fulham's number nine advanced on goal, holding off the Brazilian, before using him to leave Ramsdale unsighted as he finished with aplomb. Four goals in four top flight fixtures: not bad for someone who can't do it in the top flight.

Arteta sent on Nketiah in response and Arsenal threw bodies forward at every opportunity. They were still cavalier at the back and Mitrovic almost stalked down Gabriel, but the hosts survived. From jeopardy at one, the Gunners got extremely lucky at the other end. Saka created a little bit of panic in the Fulham back line with a driving run before finding Odegaard in a central position. The midfielder's speculative shot spun off Tosin Adarabioyo, completely wrongfooting Leno in the Fulham goal.

Fulham's response to going behind was immediate. Bobby Decordova-Reid, who ran himself into the ground for the cause, won a corner down the right flank. Andreas Pereira whipped it in and after Mitrovic met it with a trademark header, Ramsdale got a glove to it, pushing it out. Decorodva-Reid's follow up was blocked by Ben White. Mitrovic then glanced a header fractionally wide before almost getting on the end of a deep Robinson cross from the lead, despite being held by Saliba.

With time ticking away, Nketiah drifted away down the right flank – escaping the attentions of both the Fulham rearguard and an offside flag – before cutting it and drilling a daisycutter just past the post. Arsenal then forced a succession of corners and the decisive moment came from a third in a row. The VAR check didn't disallow the goal, but Fulham still roused themselves for a final effort. Ramsdale made a sensational stop to keep out a bullet header from Nathaniel Chalobah and the Whites had only plaudits to show their energy, endeavour and pushing Arsenal all the way. Again.

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Tierney (Nketiah 61), Gabriel, Saliba; Xhaka, Elneny; Saka, Odegaard (Hodling 90+5), Martinelli; Gabriel Jesus (Tomisayu 89). Subs (not used): Turner, Alenecar, Cedric, Fernando Vieria, Lokonga, Smith-Rowe.

BOOKED: White, Gabriel Jesus.

GOALS: Odegaard (64), Gabriel (88).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete (Mbabu 79), A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream (Stansfield 88); Palhinha (Chalobah 88), Reed; Decordova-Reid, Kebano (Cairney 69), Pereira (Diop 79); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Rodak, Duffy, Francois, Harris.

BOOKED: Tete, Robinson,

REFEREE: Jared Gillett.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/08/fighting-fulham-outgunned-at-death/

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Mitrovic says he made a mistake complaining about second Arsenal goal

Aleksandar Mitrovic has admitted to Match of the Day that he made a mistake complaining to the referee about the second Arsenal goal on Saturday, conceding that there was nothing wrong with the winner after seeing it back.

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League after a comeback against Fulham. Mitrovic had capitalised on a Gabriel mistake to put the visitors into a shock lead in the second-half.

But the Gunners turned the contest around. Martin Odegaard's deflected strike levelled the game. And Gabriel atoned for his error by poking the ball home for the winner.

There was a check on Gabriel's goal. The Fulham players were not happy. And the VAR did look at whether William Saliba used his arm to set his centre-back partner up.

However, the goal was given, much to the delight of the large majority of those inside the Emirates. And Mitrovic suggested afterwards that the right decision was made – as much as he did not agree at the time.



https://tbrfootball.com/mitrovic-says-he-made-a-mistake-complaining-about-second-arsenal-goal/

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O Captain! My Captain! 🧙‍♂️

Congratulations, @ThomasCairney. 👏#AintNobody pic.twitter.com/sHOjXp0P6a

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 28, 2022

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𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐇𝐀𝐌! 🔥#ARSFUL pic.twitter.com/XizY5uI6mT

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 27, 2022