Sunday Fulham Stuff - 02/10/22...

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Results

Saturday
Arsenal	3-1	Spurs
Bournemouth	0-0	Brentford
Palace	1-2	Chelsea
Fulham	1-4	Newcastle
Liverpool	3-3	Brighton
Southampton	1-2	Everton
West Ham	2-0	Wolves

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Fulham 1-4 Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said Miguel Almiron was capable of "magical things" after scoring twice to help his side put four past 10-man Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Almiron netted a superb first-half volley before completing his double after the restart with a tap-in, as Newcastle moved up to sixth with their first Premier League win since the opening day.

"I'm delighted for [him], he's such an infectious character. His work sort of epitomises our play, so it was great to see," said Howe.

"He's capable of doing magical things, and for me [his first goal] was a magical goal."

Fulham's day started poorly when Nathaniel Chalobah was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Sean Longstaff in the eighth minute.

Three minutes later Callum Wilson, returning from injury, tapped in Joe Willock's header, before Almiron effectively killed off the game in the 33rd minute with his looping volley.

Longstaff added a third for the visitors just before the break, striking home a rebound after Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno tipped Sven Botman's header on to the post.

And in the second half Almiron turned in his second, pouncing on a Willock pass across goal, before the hosts scored a late consolation, with Bobby Decordova-Reid heading home Neeskens Kebano's cross.

Newcastle dominate with electric attack
With striker Alexander Isak picking up a knock on international duty with Sweden, Almiron's slick display and Wilson's return to action after four games out with a hamstring injury could not have been more timely.

"It's been a very difficult two weeks," Howe added to BBC Sport. "But it didn't show in our performance.

"Right from the start we had a good feeling, with good energy, and created chances early on.

"Obviously the red card made it easier, but I am very pleased with the players' response."

Almiron's first-half strike was special. The Paraguayan found the net with a first-time volley, latching on to a looping pass from Bruno Guimaraes.

And the 28-year-old thought he had scored a first Premier League hat-trick midway through the second half, chipping in a third only to see his effort ruled out by the offside flag.

As for Wilson, the 30-year-old's opener means he has now scored four goals in four top-flight matches against the Cottagers.

The former Bournemouth star had hit the post in the opening exchanges and went close to scoring a second in the 28th minute with a curling effort.

Midfielder Joe Willock was also lively for Howe's side, picking up two assists and forcing fine diving saves from Leno either side of half-time.

"We wanted more - we weren't happy with what we had, always trying to score," added Howe.

Injuries hamper sorry Fulham
Referee Darren England initially showed Chalobah a yellow card for his challenge on Longstaff but upgraded his decision to a red after VAR intervention.

Once Fulham went behind, there only seemed to be one winner.

Things went from bad to worse for Marco Silva's side when star striker and former Magpie Aleksandar Mitrovic limped off in the 37th minute.

He was soon joined on the bench by debutant Layvin Kurzawa who also picked up a first-half knock.

Decordova-Reid's goal came from Fulham's only shot on target as the hosts struggled to get the ball upfield.

Defeat saw the hosts drop to eighth in the table.

The Cottagers visit West Ham away from home next Sunday, with Newcastle hosting Brentford on Saturday.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63017872

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Post-Newcastle Press Conference

When asked if the game was over as soon as Nathaniel Chalobah was sent off in the eighth minute, Marco Silva replied: "Of course.

"It's clear we had a game until the sixth or eighth minute, and after we had a completely different game. I think that is normal to happen when we get the red card so early in the game.

"And talking about the red card, harsh tackle from Nathaniel in that moment. The referee was on it and it was clear for him a yellow card, he told me even. And, of course, the [VAR] decision changed everything completely.

"Such a long time to take one decision like that, and to advise the referee, for me was strange.

"Of course it was a harsh tackle, but the problem that we have is I haven't seen consistently these type of situations, which makes the afternoon look strange for us because I'm 100 per cent sure the next few weeks we will see some really tough and competitive matches.

"We'll see more tackles like that one and it will be a yellow card and the VAR will decide that we will keep going.

"That is tough for us to understand because we are not seeing, consistently, these type of decisions and it makes me and the players not understand what is consistent with these type of decisions."

But while acknowledging the significance of the red card, Silva was still not happy with the manner of some of the goals shipped.

"It made things easier for Newcastle, definitely," he send of the game's defining moment. "Even so, I think our first half after the red card, was not on a level that it should be.

"Apart from the second goal, that combination and a great goal from Almiron, the way we let them create some chances, and the way we conceded two goals, too sloppy.

"We knew that with 10 players they will push us back, it's normal, it's difficult to press really high in those type of moments.

"But when you are playing in our own half, in 30, 40 metres we should be much more aggressive, much more compact and not concede the goals the way we conceded and concede the chances that we conceded as well."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/october/01/post-newcastle-press-conference/

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Mitrovic off injured as 10-man Fulham are crushed by Newcastle
Fulham 1 Newcastle 4

Aleksandar Mitrovic limped off and Nathaniel Chalobah was sent off on a miserable day for Fulham, who were thumped at Craven Cottage.

They were three down after a disastrous first half in which Chalobah was dismissed and Mitrovic later had to leave the field.

It was an easy win for Newcastle, with Miguel Almirón netting two of their goals and Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff also scoring.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored a consolation goal for Fulham with a couple of minutes remaining – a header from Neeskens Kebano's left-wing cross.

Chalobah was initially shown a yellow card for an eighth-minute challenge on Longstaff, but referee Darren England was advised by VAR to review the Whites midfielder's careless lunge and, after doing so, he produced the red card.

Newcastle opened the scoring three minutes later when Wilson – who had earlier hit the post – touched in Joe Willock's header from Kieran Trippier's ball into the box.

Almirón then doubled the Magpies' lead with a stunning goal, sending a glorious volley past keeper Bernd Leno after a one-two with Bruno Guimaraes near the edge of the penalty area.

And after the loss of Mitrovic, worse followed for Fulham when Longstaff followed up to score after Sven Botman's looping header had come back off the post.

Almiron scored his second and Newcastle's fourth – a simple finish after being set up by Willock 12 minutes into the second half.

Fulham: Leno, Mbabu (Cairney 45), Adarabioyo, Ream, Kurzawa (Diop 45), Reed, Chalobah, James (Kebano 70), Andreas Pereira, Reid, Mitrovic (Vinícius 37).



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-mitrovic-off-injured-as-10-man-fulham-are-thrashed-by-newcastle

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Early red card condemns Fulham to miserable afternoon as Magpies fill their boots

Fulham (0) 1 De Cordova-Reid 88

Newcastle United (3) 4 Wilson 11, Almiron 33, 58, Longstaff 44



Fulham had a Bobby Robson Derby to forget as they were reduced to 10 men after just eight minutes and duly put to the sword.

Undefeated at home up until now, this one was only going one way after that early match-defining moment.

Nathaniel Chalobah's out-of-control lunge for the ball did not seem to worry ref Darren England, but Mike Dean, the VAR overseer, flagged it up and for all Marco Silva's protestations on the sidelines, the Whites could have no real complaints about the red card that followed.

It did not take long for Newcastle to take advantage. Callum Wilson had already clipped a post from close range after Bernd Leno had palmed a Dan Burn shot into his path, when he bundled home the opener.

Kieran Trippier swung in a wicked cross from the right and although Joe Willock miscued his attempted header at goal, it fell into the path of the lurking Wilson, who netted from point-blank range.

The Magpies had all of the ball and soon a second – and it was a beauty of a strike from Miguel Almiron with the outside of his left foot as he raced in behind Layvin Kurzawa to latch on to a perfect Bruno Guimaraes chip into the danger zone. 

Leno had no chance as it flew over his head and into the far corner.

As if things could not get any worse for Fulham on a wretched day, they then lost Aleksandar Mitrovic to injury – Carlos Vinicius coming on in a team already looking a bit unrecognisable, with Kevin Mbabu making his first start in the Premier League for the Whites and PSG loan signing Kurzawa also making his bow.

Neither newcomers would even last the first half as Kurzawa went off injured and Mbabu was hooked.

And the chances kept coming. Wilson and Jacob Murphy both went close and it was no surprise when Longstaff tapped in a third before the break after Sven Botman's towering back post header had been tipped onto a post back into his path.

It was all about damage limitation after the break, with Dan James, the best player for Fulham before the break, pressed into wing-back duty as the Whites went with a back three.

Leno's fine save to deny Wilson set the standard. But he could do nothing about the next one to beat him as Willock's simple sliding ball to the far post was put away by Almiron for his second of the afternoon. 

The Paraguayan almost had a hat-trick too, but a linesman's flag spared the struggling Whites more agony.

There was a late consolation for the home fans as Bobby De Cordova-Reid nodded home a cross from sub Neeskens Kebano. But it only lifted a tiny bit of the gloom.

Even if the suspended Joao Palhinha had been playing, it is doubtful he could have made much of a difference.

Whites: (4-2-3-1) Leno – Mbabu (Cairney 45), Tosin, Ream, Kurzawa (Diop 45) – Reed, Chalobah – James (Kebano 70), Pereira, Decordova-Reid – Mitrovic (Vinicius 37). Subs not used: Rodak, Duffy, Onomah, Harris, Parkes

Magpies: (4-3-3) Pope – Trippier (Lewis 83), Schar (Lascelles 83), Botman, Burn (Targett 83) – S Longstaff, Guimaraes (Anderson 59), Willock – Almiron, Wilson (Fraser 65), Murphy. Subs not used: Karius, Drummett, Joelinton, Wood

Attendance: 22,913




https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/early-red-card-condemns-fulham-to-miserable-afternoon-as-magpies-fill-their-boots

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Fulham 1 Newcastle United 4

NEWCASTLE UNITED'S wait for a second league win of the season is over after they thrashed ten-man Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Magpies played for more than 80 minutes with a man advantage, and exploited their numerical superiority ruthlessly as they claimed their first away win of the campaign.

Fulham's task became all-but-impossible when Nathaniel Chalobah was sent off in the eighth minute following a foul on Sean Longstaff.

Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Longstaff all scored as Newcastle ran riot before the break, with Almiron claiming a second goal in the second half.

Playing with an extra man undoubtedly helped, but Eddie Howe's side still had to make the most of Chalobah's departure, and they did so slickly and impressively.

That said, however, the game was still effectively settled when Chalobah was sent off in just the eighth minute for a studs-up lunge that caught Longstaff on the ankle.

Referee Darren England initially awarded a yellow card, but he was instructed to reassess his decision with the help of a replay on the pitchside monitor, and returned to the field to brandish a red card.

With a man advantage, Newcastle set about swarming all over their opponents, and they claimed the lead three minutes after Chalobah departed.

Kieran Trippier crossed from the right, Joe Willock nodded the ball back across goal at the back post, and the returning Wilson was on hand to stab home from close range.

Wilson almost added a second goal after turning neatly in the area midway through the first half, only for his shot to sail wide of the post.

Six minutes later, however, and Newcastle were celebrating a brilliant second goal through Almiron.

The Paraguayan slipped a pass to Bruno Guimaraes, and broke into the box to reach the Brazilian's floated return ball. Instead of looking to take the ball down, Almiron produced an instinctive first-time volley that flew across Bernd Leno and found the top corner.

Fulham's day was going from bad to worse, and it took another downturn in the 36th minute when former Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was forced off with a recurrence of the ankle problem that first appeared while he was on international duty with Serbia last week.

Leno made fine saves from Willock and Jacob Murphy to limit Fulham's embarrassment, but despite his best efforts, the goalkeeper was unable to prevent his side conceding a third goal a minute before the break.

Leno tipped Sven Botman's header onto the post after the Dutchman rose to meet Trippier's cross following a short-corner routine, but Longstaff was on hand to slot home the rebound.

For all that his side were soundly beaten, Leno had an extremely good game in the Fulham goal, and he prevented a fourth goal going in at the start of the second half as he clawed Willock's shot around the post after the Magpies midfielder had galloped into the box after a one-two with Guimaraes.

It did not take long for a fourth Newcastle goal to arrive though, with Almiron claiming his second o f the game.

Murphy released Willock into the left-hand side of the area, and when he slid a low cross across the face of goal, Almiron was left with the simple task of slotting home from close range.

Fulham got on the scoresheet themselves with two minutes remaining, with Bobby Decordova-Reid heading home Neeskens Kebano's cross.



https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/23007675.fulham-1-newcastle-united-4/

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Fulham: Journalist slams Kevin Mbabu's display v Newcastle

Fulham summer signing Kevin Mbabu has been criticised for his performance against Newcastle United in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Whites humbled...
Marco Silva has overseen a generally solid start to this 2022/2023 campaign back in the big time for Fulham, but this afternoon was certainly one to forget.

On top of conceding goals galore in a humbling 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, Fulham lost both Layvin Kurzawa and star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who were hauled off with knocks.

The latter in particular could be a real miss depending on the severity of his problem, with The Athletic journalist Peter Rutzler reporting that the Serbian walked off with ice around his ankle.

To compound the misery, Nathaniel Chalobah was sent off after just seven minutes for a poor lunge, with Silva now looking forward to Fulham's next game against West Ham with the aim of putting this 'nightmare' encounter behind him.

The Latest: Mbabu criticised...
While there were a few questionable performances from Fulham today, one player who has received particularly strong criticism for his display is summer signing Mbabu, who struggled badly up against Newcastle winger Jacob Murphy.

Journalist Kyle Bonn of Sporting News duly questioned the right-back's acquisition from Wolfsburg and even called it 'financial malpractice'.

He explained (via Twitter): "Fulham actually paid 5 million real life pounds sterling – not fake Monopoly money, but actual legal tender – for Kevin Mbabu. The Whites did some great business this past summer, but that is financial malpractice."

The Verdict: Off-day...
As per SofaScore, Mbabu appeared to endure a real off-day, prompting Silva to haul him off on 45 minutes.

The Swiss defender concluded his contribution as one of Fulham's lowest-rated players overall, having failed to win a single duel. He also lost possession eight times whilst completing just four of his eight passes.

However, it is early days in his Craven Cottage career, and the attack-minded full-back certainly has the ability to turn things around, as evidenced by some of his performances in Germany last season.

Indeed, the 27-year-old can be very bright in attacking positions, even finishing 2021/22 with Wolfsburg's second-highest rate of successful take-ons per 90 in the Bundesliga (WhoScored).

Hopefully this was just an off-day for the summer signing and that he and his team-mate can put today's horror show swiftly behind them.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/fulham-fc-news/kevin-mbabu-criticised-fulham-newcastle/

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U18 Report: Saints 3-5 Fulham

Southampton Under-18s fell to a 5-3 defeat against Fulham in the Under-18 Premier League on Saturday at Staplewood Campus.

A flurry of first-half goals saw the hosts 5-1 down at the interval, but an improved display in the second period saw them reduce the deficit to two by the final whistle.

It did not take long for Saints to gain the lead in the game and they broke the deadlock thanks to a special goal from Tyler Dibling in the 7th minute.

Picking the ball up in a central position, he drove towards the Fulham area and worked himself space to fire a stunning strike from range into the top right corner.

The hosts looked to be on form in the early stages and Will Merry twice went close to adding a second – first driving a shot into the side-netting and then almost connecting with a low cutback from an unnamed trialist.

However, Mikey Harris's side were pegged back on 22 minutes when Aaron Loupalo-Bi found the net from close range, with the goal coming largely against the run of play.

This reply from the visitors seemed to help them to grow in confidence and a blistering spell of attacking play saw them go into the break with a comprehensive lead.

Good work from Terrell Works set up Oliver Gofford at the near post for their second, and a low ball across goal from the striker presented Lemar Gordon with a simple tap-in for the third.

Gordon was on hand again just a minute later to convert Gofford's cross as it was made 4-1, and then a fifth just before half-time came when Loupalo-Bi robbed the Saints defence of possession and unselfishly played in Works for a simple finish.

Saints had plenty of work to do after the break but grabbed a goal back shortly after the restart. A superb free-kick delivery from Harrison Miles found the head of the trialist and his flicked header dropped under the crossbar at the far post.

Despite their healthy advantage, Fulham were dealt a blow when Jonathan Esenga was sent off for two bookable offences and this left his team a man light for the final 36 minutes.

The visitors held out until almost the final 15-minutes, as Saints got another goal back with a penalty. Dibling – who was having a superb game despite the scoreline – was upended after another mazy run towards goal and Merry calmly rolled home from 12 yards.

However, an improved second-half display from Saints was not enough to rescue a result and Fulham headed back to South London with the three points.



https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-10-01/u18-report-southampton-fulham-under-18-premier-league-2022-23

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Fulham 1-4 Newcastle: Nathaniel Chalobah sees red and Aleksandar Mitrovic injured in home thrashing

Miguel Almiron struck twice as Newcastle cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over 10-man Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Newcastle went into the game with just one win in the Premier League this campaign, but stormed to an impressive victory following an eighth-minute red card for Nathaniel Chalobah.

Callum Wilson put Newcastle ahead just after Fulham were reduced to 10 men, before Almiron scored his first of the afternoon with a stunning volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Sean Longstaff then added Newcastle's third just before half-time, with Almiron capping off a dominant Magpies performance with a fourth in the 57th minute.

Fulham grabbed a late consolation goal, as Newcastle's standards slipped at the back, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid heading home from close range.

Marco Silva's side had gone into the game ahead of Newcastle in the table having put in some impressive performances, but the four changes due to injury proved significant.

Aleksandar Mitrovic was forced off in the first half, and the home side did not register a shot until the 68th minute.

Newcastle started brightly despite a much-changed team from their last Premier League clash, and hit the woodwork inside the first five minutes.

Dan Burn took his chance from distance and his effort was saved by Bernd Leno, and Wilson's effort on the rebound hit the outside of the post.

In the eighth minute, Chalobah was sent off by referee Darren England for a foul on Longstaff. The Fulham midfielder had been shown a yellow card before VAR intervened and the referee went to the pitchside monitor before changing his decision on the severity of the late, lunging tackle from Chalobah.

Moments later, the visitors took the lead when Newcastle switched the ball to the left to Kieran Trippier who expertly picked out Joe Willock at the far post.

The midfielder headed back across goal for Wilson to tap home. The goal was referred to VAR for an offside check, but was allowed to stand.

Newcastle had a chance to add to their tally, when Wilson controlled a Willock cut-back, turned and shot but his effort went over the bar.

Just as Fulham looked to be settling into a new, more defensive position, Almiron doubled Newcastle's lead with a stunning volley. Bruno Guimaraes played the ball to the Paraguayan just on the corner of the box over his shoulder and he fired it first time past Leno and into the top corner.

To add to Fulham's troubles their talismanic striker Mitrovic was forced off with an injury in the 36th minute after briefly receiving treatment on the field.

The Magpies added a third just before half-time when Longstaff was alert to slot home after Sven Botman's header had been tipped onto the woodwork by Leno.

Fulham continued to struggle to contain the Newcastle attack and, after three first-half substitutes, it was not made easier.

Almiron had his second of the match in the 57th minute, with Dan James running into difficulties as a makeshift left wing-back.

Murphy played in Willock who picked out Almiron for a tap-in to make it 4-0, before De Cordova-Reid headed in a late consolation goal for the home side in the 88th minute.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-newcastle-mitrovic-injury-chalobah-b1029559.html

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Marco Silva embarrassingly blames match officials for hammering by Newcastle United

Marco Silva wasn't a happy man on Saturday afternoon.

His team losing 4-1 and to be honest, Fulham were VERY lucky to only lose by three.

They scored with their only effort on target and that came courtesy of shocking defending from sub Jamal Lewis.

Whilst Newcastle United could have quite easily got very close to double figures if more clinical, both Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron left wondering if they should have walked away with the match ball.

I think Marco Silva should have been looking closer to home when it came to this heavy home defeat but instead it was the match officials the Fulham boss was embarrassingly pointing the finger at...

Marco Silva after the final whistle, asked if the Nathaniel Chalobah sending off on eight minutes meant it was already game over at that early point in the contest :

"Of course (it was), it is clear we had a game until the sixth or eighth minute and after that we had a completely different game.

"I think that is normal when we get the red card so early in the game.

"And talking about the red card, harsh tackle from Nathaniel in that moment.

"The referee was on it and it was clear for him a yellow card, he told me even. And, of course, the [VAR] decision changed everything completely.

"Such a long time to take one decision like that, and to advise the referee, for me was strange.

"Of course it was a harsh tackle, but the problem that we have is I haven't seen consistently these type of situations, which makes the afternoon look strange for us because I'm 100 per cent sure the next few weeks we will see some really tough and competitive matches.

"We'll see more tackles like that one and it will be a yellow card and the VAR will decide that we will keep going.

"That is tough for us to understand because we are not seeing, consistently, these type of decisions and it makes me and the players not understand what is consistent with these type of decisions."

The way I look at it, what would Marco Silva have said if it had been the other way around, if say Longstaff had lunged in like that on Chalobah?

Never in a million years would he be saying that Sean Longstaff should stay on the pitch.

Whether the red card was arrived at by the match referee instantly, or after VAR gets involved, is irrelevant.

The only question is, was it a red card offence? The answer to that is clearly YES. Sean Longstaff very lucky to not be seriously injured, Chalobah so reckless.

Indeed, this is exactly the kind of incident that sees VAR playing the role intended.

In the split second the referee not really seeing the true nature of the challenge, whereas on the TV replay you can clearly see how bad it is.

Marco Silva should only be looking at Chalobah when it comes to who to blame, putting in such a dangerous challenge, especially so early in the match and in a non-threatening area of the pitch.



https://www.themag.co.uk/2022/10/marco-silva-embarrassingly-blames-match-officials-for-hammering-by-newcastle-united-fulham-1-newcastle-4/

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Silva convinced Fulham were hard done by, with early dismissal of Chalobah

Marco Silva bemoaned what he feels is a lack of consistency from officials after Nathaniel Chalobah was given a straight red only eight minutes into Fulham's game against Newcastle at the Cottage.

The midfielder's was given a yellow at first by ref Darren England but it was upgraded to red after a call from Mike Dean on VAR duty. Fulham went on to lose 4-1, unsurprisingly.

The Portuguese boss had difficulty accepting the sending off was deserved - though replays suggest he could have few real arguments - but that did not prevent him from citing ill luck.

"Of course it was a harsh tackle, but the problem is we don't have consistency in this type of situation," he said. "I'm 100 per cent sure in the next few weeks in some really tough, competitive matches, we'll see more tackles like that one and it will be a yellow card.

"It makes me and other people who are in charge not to understand the inconsistency in these type of decisions.

"It made things easier for Newcastle. I think it's clear we had a game until the sixth or eighth minute and after that it was a completely different game. I think that's normal when you get a red card so early in the game.

"Even so, I think our first half after the red card was not at a level it should be. Apart from the second goal, which was a great combination and finish from [Miguel] Almiron, the way we let them create chances was too sloppy.

"When you are pushed back with 10 men, that's normal, but you should be much more aggressive, much more compact and not concede goals the way we conceded them."

To compound a woeful afternoon, Fulham lost Aleksandar Mitrovic to injury in the first half. Silva said it was 'too early' to say how long it would keep him out of action. He did pick up a slight knock on the ankle on international duty and the injury may be related.

With Antonee Robinson out, the Whites have problem at left-back and were forced into changes defensively and PSG loan signing Layvin Kurzawa started, though not fully fit and he did not reach half time.

"He's not training every time 100 per cent. He did a good a week and we expected him to do at least 60 to 80 minutes," said the Fulham boss. Willian (calf) is also not expected back quickly.

"When we have all the players ready, we are strong," Silva said. "We are here to find solutions, if we can, to get the team as strong as we can."



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/silva-convinced-fulham-were-hard-done-by-with-early-dismissal-of-chalobah

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'Unbelievable', 'strange' and 'frustrating' - is VAR letting Premier League down?

The Premier League returned on Saturday with its usual cocktail of drama, excitement and controversy - with refereeing decisions and VAR once again a big talking point.

Following his side's 3-1 defeat by Arsenal, Tottenham boss Antonio Conte suggested refereeing and VAR in England is not at the required level, having seen his player Emerson Royal sent off for a second-half foul on Gabriel Martinelli.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish questioned the point of VAR, while Fulham boss Marco Silva fumed at what he called "strange decisions".

"In England, I have to be honest, it is very difficult because there isn't the same line," said Conte.

"Sometimes you see a situation that could be a red card and instead is a yellow card or no yellow card, sometimes you see a situation that is a yellow card and you see a red card."

Here, BBC Sport takes a look at the decisions which created most debate.

Conte unhappy with Emerson red card
Conte was infuriated by the decision to send Emerson off in the 62nd minute with Arsenal leading 2-1.

"They have to work a lot about this," said the Italian while discussing the standard of refereeing in England.

"In Italy, they go on Thursday and stay together for three days to work together, to look at the video and try and improve.

"I don't know if they do that in this country, but it would be a good idea because the level is so high and we need the level of the referee and VAR the same.

"The Premier League is a really high level, and for this reason every part of this situation has to be top."

Speaking on BBC's Final Score though, former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin said Emerson deserved a red card.

"No anger or malice, but I still think it's a red," said Dublin. "The ball has gone and he has caught him above the calf. I think it's a red."

On Match of the Day, Ex-England striker Alan Shearer agreed it was a "stupid challenge", while Arsenal legend Ian Wright said Emerson "gave the referee the opportunity".

'Unbelievable how he managed to stay on the field'
At Selhurst Park, Conor Gallagher scored a brilliant late winner to give Graham Potter his first victory as Chelsea boss - but Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was left vexed by a key decision in the first half.

Vieira felt Chelsea defender Thiago Silva should have been sent off after the Brazilian deliberately knocked the ball out of Jordan Ayew's path with his hand.

When contacted by BBC Sport, a Premier League spokesperson said the officials gave Silva yellow instead of red as they felt he did not deny Ayew an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Vieira, however, saw it differently.

"I just find it unbelievable how he managed to stay on the field," Vieira said of Silva, who went on to tee up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Chelsea's equaliser.

During the game, Palace chairman Parish expressed his frustration at the decision.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer agreed with the Palace boss: "Silva was very lucky, it should be a red card. Ayew was away. That is deliberate handball and he is very, very fortunate."

However, speaking on BT Sport, Robbie Savage felt referee Chris Kavanagh was right to show Silva a yellow card.

Savage said: "Silva was not denying a goalscoring opportunity, he was going away from goal and so it was the right decision. Silva is the big talking point in the game, but I think the referee got it right."

'These decisions feel strange to us'
Another manager to be left unhappy by a key decision in his game was Fulham's Silva, who watched his side play the majority of the 4-1 defeat by Newcastle with 10 men after Nathaniel Chalobah's eighth-minute red card.

Referee Darren England initially showed Chalobah a yellow for his challenge on Sean Longstaff, but upgraded his decision to a red after VAR intervention, prompting Silva to call for consistency.

"The referee was clearly there. He told me it was a clear yellow card. After so long a time to find one picture of Nathaniel's tackle, it is difficult for me to accept," said Silva.

"If it will always be like that, I would accept it. But I am 100% sure that in moments like that, one will be a yellow card and that's it.

"This is the difficult situation to understand. We need to see consistency in these situations or you have to give the yellow card.

"I think in the next few weeks in tough matches you will see moments like this one where it will be a yellow card. These decisions feel strange to us."

Wight and Shearer insisted there was no doubts about the red card on Match of the Day though, with the former saying: "He was out of control and it was a poor challenge."

Premier League referees show fewer red cards, says study
Prior to this weekend's games, a study by data specialists Nielsen Gracenote found that Premier League referees on average show fewer red cards than other major European leagues.

The study found that red cards are awarded at a rate of one every 338 fouls in the Premier League, in stark contrast with the top flights in France (58), Germany (127), Italy (114) and Spain (77).

In the past six Premier League seasons, red cards have been awarded at a rate of between 164 and 209 fouls per sending-off, so while still early in the season, they appear to be more lenient this term.

The leniency on red cards is striking, given that a yellow card is shown once every 5.25 fouls in the Premier League, the second-strictest behind Spain's La Liga (4.96).

Referees in England were also found to have awarded far fewer fouls (1,350) than other leagues.

A bit of praise...
While some managers were left frustrated, Brentford boss Thomas Frank praised inexperienced referee Thomas Bramall's "character and calm head" after he stuck to his decision not to award Bournemouth a penalty for Kristoffer Ajer's challenge on Jordan Zemura, despite being referred to the pitchside monitor.

"I'd like to praise Thomas Bramall for his job today. He's a young referee, and every Premier League game is important," said Frank.

"His character and calm head was important in a very, very stressful moment, when you're called over to the monitor.

"It's a decisive decision for the game, and nine times out of 10 most likely it's a penalty.

"But he sticks to his decision and that says a lot about him. I'm not in doubt that's not a penalty, so very well done for him."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63105103

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Player ratings: Fulham 1-4 Newcastle United

George Rossiter rates the boys as they returned from the international break at the Cottage.

Fulham fell to a disastrous defeat on Saturday afternoon, their first loss at home this season. Playing most the game with 10 men, Marco Silva's men fell apart in the first half, trailing by three at the half-time break alone. On a day where if anything could go wrong, it did.

Bernd Leno

We conceded four today, so for Leno to receive man of the match here shows just how bad it could have been. Without some emphatic saves from the German, Fulham could've been looking at a cricket score come full-time. At the very least, it's reassuring to know the quality we have between the sticks this season. 7/10. – Man of the Match

Kevin Mbabu

No opponent is easy in the Premier League, but the Swiss international made a game against a left-hand side of Josh Murphy and Dan Burn look like a game against Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson with Evra and Ronaldo in their prime. Mbabu gave both far too much space far too often and was consistently punished for it, before being hooked in first-half stoppage time. 2/10

Tosin

With Fulham getting exposed so badly out wide, the centre-backs didn't really look as bad as the full-backs did. Regardless, the performance of Tosin was anonymous and it's hard to remember any meaningful blocks or challenges the big man made. While it wouldn't have mattered much, his missed header at the other end would've been a welcome consolation. 4.5/10.

Tim Ream

Similarly to Tosin, Ream wasn't hugely to blame for many of the things that went wrong. Sometimes the American was on hand to defend crosses, more often than any of the rest of the defensive line, anyhow. 5/10

Layvin Kurzawa

Whether it be a lack of experience of how football is played in the Premier League or the two seasons without a competitive league fixture to his name, Kurzawa seriously struggled on his full Fulham debut. Almiron had a field day running rings round the ex-PSG man as he defended narrowly and stiffly, barely getting near his man. 2/10

Nathaniel Chalobah

Seven minutes into a game where you have a rare chance to stake your claim for a more regular place in the side and you make a seriously dangerous challenge on an opponent like that. In his appearances from the start against Crawley and Newcastle, Natty Chabs has shown no quality and no discipline, the lack of midfield depth now looks slightly more worrying as a result. 0/10

Harrison Reed

Potentially did even more running that normal in the absence of a third midfielder in the middle, but this became obvious as gaps opened up and Newcastle ran through Fulham at will. Not necessarily Harrison's fault but unfortunately it wasn't his best performance. 5/10

Andreas Pereira

Pereira was forced to play most of the game in an unfamiliar role, dropping in deeper as a result of the red card from Chalobah. While he ran and pressed well as he usually does, his lack of defensive ability was there to see, but for sure there were many worse performances on the park than that of Andreas. 5.5/10

Bobby De-Cordova Reid

Not bad from Bobby, who played four different positions throughout the game, filling in on both wings going forward and both wing-back positions in defence. Topped off an 'okay' performance with a late consolation. Who knows, maybe that goal difference amendment might come in handy come May. 6/10

Daniel James

James started the game positively even when we had 10 men, darting up and down the flanks in an attempt to help his full-back. However, when he was moved back to an unfamiliar wing-back role, it was clear it was a position he was not used to playing, looking understandably out of his depth when under attack from Newcastle's front line. 5/10

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Mitro had no chance getting into the game. With 10 men, Fulham failed to create anything meaningful going forward for the Serb to work with. The hope will be that the early ankle injury he sustained is nothing serious, as he was forced off in the first half. 4.5/10

Substitutes

Carlos Vinicius (37' for Aleksandar Mitrovic)

Similarly to Mitrovic, Vinicius just wasn't given the service to prove what he can do as a viable back-up unfortunately. 5/10

Issa Diop (45+2' for Layvin Kurzawa)

The defence looked a little less shaky when Diop came on, but probably more to do with the change to a back five. 5/10

Tom Cairney (45+2 for Kevin Mbabu)

Came into a game we had already lost and struggled to create anything meaningful in a slightly anonymous cameo. 4.5/10

Neeskens Kebano (70' for Daniel James)

Looked dangerous and added pace to a desperately poor attacking side for the last 20 minutes, providing the assist for Bobby's goal. 6.5/10



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2022-10-01-player-ratings-fulham-1-4-newcastle-united/

[WhiteJC]

Marco Silva bemoans lack of VAR 'consistency' after Nathaniel Chalobah's early red card that led to Newcastle running riot on a difficult afternoon for Fulham at Craven Cottage

    Nathaniel Chalobah was sent off early on after VAR intervened in decision
    Marco Silva bemoaned the consistency of VAR after difficult afternoon at home
    Newcastle ran rampant following the decision to send Fulham down to 10 men

Marco Silva blasted VAR's 'lack of consistency' after Nathaniel Chalobah saw red for a reckless tackle on Sean Longstaff.

Chalobah was initially shown a yellow card by referee Darren England after he had lunged into a studs up tackle on the Newcastle midfielder. But VAR official Mike Dean advised England to check the monitor and the official eventually decided to brandish a red card.

Newcastle took the lead three minutes after Chalobah was sent off before going on to win 4-1.


Marco Silva bemoaned VAR consistency after an overturned yellow card saw Nathaniel Chalobah sent off early on

'We had a game until the sixth or eighth minute after that it was a completely different game,' Silva said.

'It was a harsh tackle from Nathaniel in that moment. The referee was clear, for him [it was] a yellow card, he told me.

'Of course after the decision from Mike Dean, it changed everything completely. So long time to take one decision like that and to advise the referee [to change his mind] for me is strange.

'Of course it was a harsh tackle but I'm 100 percent sure I haven't seen consistency in these types of situations. I'm 100 percent sure that in the next few weeks we will see more tackles like that one and they'll be a yellow card. That is tough for us to understand.


The Fulham players seemed bemused at the decision of Darren England to overturn his initial call

'Where is the consistency in these types of decisions? It makes things easier for Newcastle definitely, even so, I think our first half after the red card was not at the level it should be.

'[We were] too sloppy, we knew that with 10 players they would push us back. It is normal, it is difficult to press really high in that type of moments. When we are playing in our own half we should be much more aggressive. It was a strange afternoon for all the situations, the red card, the decisions from Mike Dean as well that I know will not be the same in the future.

'I can accept the red card if the next 10 weeks, 20 weeks, I would see the same and I'm sure that will not be the same, this is the situation. In five weeks we will be speaking together again and there will be four or five tackles the same that will not be a red card.'



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11270737/Marco-Silva-bemoans-lack-VAR-consistency-Nathaniel-Chalobahs-early-red-card.html

[WhiteJC]

Silva slams lack of VAR consistency
Marco Silva slammed a lack of refereeing consistency after Fulham were well beaten by Newcastle United at Craven Cottage this afternoon following Nathaniel Chalobah's red card for a wild challenge on Sean Longstaff.

The England international was dismissed following a VAR review of his tackle and Silva bemoaned the inconsistency of the televised reviews during his post match press conference. The Fulham head coach said:

"We had a game until the sixth or eighth minute after that it was a completely different game. It was a harsh tackle from Nathaniel in that moment. The referee was clear, for him [it was] a yellow card, he told me

"Of course after the decision from Mike Dean, it changed everything completely. So long time to take one decision like that and to advise the referee [to change his mind] for me is strange. Of course it was a harsh tackle but I'm 100 percent sure I haven't seen consistency in these types of situations. I'm 100 percent sure that in the next few weeks we will see more tackles like that one and they'll be a yellow card. That is tough for us to understand.

Where is the consistency in these types of decisions? It makes things easier for Newcastle definitely, even so, I think our first half after the red card was not at the level it should be. It was a strange afternoon for all the situations, the red card, the decisions from Mike Dean as well that I know will not be the same in the future."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/10/silva-slams-lack-of-var-consistency/

[hovewhite]

A red card no doubt,but not to be used as a catalyst for losing.