Friday Fulham Stuff - 21/10/22...

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Results

Thursday
Fulham	3-0	Villa
Leicester	2-0	Leeds

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Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa

Thursday's 3-0 defeat at Fulham was Steven Gerrard's final game in charge of Aston Villa

Steven Gerrard was relieved of his duties as Aston Villa manager after Fulham secured a comfortable victory at Craven Cottage.

Gerrard leaves the Midlands club in 17th place, level on points with 18th-placed Wolves but above their rivals on goals scored.

Harrison Reed put the home side ahead, drilling home after Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had punched a corner into the midfielder's path.

Andreas Pereira went close on two occasions, while Aleksandar Mitrovic had a far-post header cleared off the line by Tyrone Mings as Fulham dominated the first half.

Villa's evening went from bad to worse just after the hour mark, when Douglas Luiz was shown a straight red card after being adjudged by the video assistant referee to have head-butted Mitrovic in an off-the-ball altercation.

The home side wasted little time in capitalising on their numerical advantage, Mitrovic doubling their lead from the penalty spot after the striker's shot had struck Matty Cash on the arm. Martinez managed to get both hands on Mitrovic's effort but was unable to keep it out.

The visitors' misery was complete when Mings diverted Neeskens Kebano's low cross into his own net - a goal which was greeted by chants of "Steven Gerrard, get out of our club" by sections of the away end.

Villa fans turn on Gerrard
Having booed their players off the field following Sunday's home defeat by Chelsea, the Villa supporters once again made their feelings known as the visitors traipsed off the Craven Cottage pitch at half-time - and again in the latter stages of the contest.

Unmistakable chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" echoed around the ground following Mings' own goal, which capped a desperate performance from the away side in west London.

Only the goal-line clearance from Mings and several impressive saves from Martinez kept the scoreline down in the first half.

It could have been much worse for Villa, who afforded Marco Silva's team far too much space in the final third - particularly down Fulham's left - while offering precious little as an attacking threat.

The decision to replace striker Danny Ings with Leander Dendoncker following Luiz's dismissal was met with derision from the away supporters, many of whom shouted "we want Gerrard out" in the direction of the Villa dugout.

Former Liverpool and England captain Gerrard said before the game that his side were "a lot closer to where we want to be" in terms of performance levels - but Thursday's defeat was one too many for the Villa hierarchy.

Fulham return to winning ways in style
Silva cut a frustrated figure after Fulham's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday, but his only qualm with the Cottagers' first-half display here will have been that it should have yielded more than Reed's well-taken opener.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian, who was reinstated to the Fulham side after making his comeback from injury against Bournemouth, was particularly lively in the opening stages as the hosts took the game to their opponents.

The Brazilian had a fierce shot blocked by the foot of Martinez before fizzing a low ball across the penalty area which evaded everyone inside the box.

The impressive Pereira then saw two spectacular long-range efforts deflected off target before Mitrovic was denied by Mings.

The hosts added gloss to the scoreline through Mitrovic's penalty and Mings' late own goal, ending a run of three league games without victory in emphatic style.

The win is Fulham's biggest in the Premier League in nine years - since a 4-1 victory at Crystal Palace during the 2013-14 campaign.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63238011

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Post-Villa Press Conference

Marco Silva was delighted with his team after a "perfect night" at the Cottage.

His side cruised to a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa with a dominant performance on home turf.

Silva said: "It was a great evening for us. It was a well-deserved three points and a great performance as well.

"Our first half was top level in my opinion. The way we played, the way we created chances, the way we were dominant, the way the players performed under our plan.

"We planned something, they understood and they performed really well."

The result pushed Fulham up to ninth in the Premier League table and also represented a first clean sheet at home this season.

"We knew that it was important for us to win and keep the clean sheet, the first at home this season.

"It's something that we have been talking about. Finally we got the first clean sheet, and when it happens winning 3-0 at home, I can say that is the perfect night for us."

After finally breaking his goalscoring duck against Nottingham Forest earlier this season, Harrison Reed didn't leave fans waiting as long for his second strike.

"I'm really pleased for him, he deserves it. His work rate is fantastic. The way he works is always a very good example in our dressing room.

"And of course we are trying to get the best from him like we do with all the players. It's good to see him perform at level he performed tonight."

With the opposition desperately needing three points, a strong performance on and off the pitch was needed.

"Villa came here to do their maximum to get three points. We knew it was crucial for us to start on the front foot, to be dominant, to command the game.

"We knew that we could not switch off one second, we had to be always there and we did it.

"Congratulations to our players and to our fans as well because they play together with our fans, which is always important."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/october/20/post-villa-press-conference/

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Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa

Fulham returned to winning ways after three goals meant a massive three points at the Cottage on Thursday night.

Harrison Reed got his first home goal for Fulham in the first half, before Aleksandar Mitrović scored from the spot, and Neeskens Kebano diverted the ball onto Tyrone Mings for a third.

Following on from Sunday's Bournemouth draw, Marco Silva made a solo swap on the wing, bringing in Willian for Dan James. Amidst slight doubts, Mitrović retained his starting spot up top, whilst Issa Diop made consecutive starts for the first time in his Fulham career after his goal on the weekend.

Lines were broken early by Fulham, in the third minute to be precise. Bobby De Cordova-Reid's mazing run allowed Willian to feed Antonee Robinson down the left, requiring a strong Villa block to keep the danger at bay. Moments later, Willian managed a shot on goal from 10 yards after Mitrović found him with some intricate play, but Emiliano Martinez got down efficiently to save.

Fulham were bringing the game to the Villans egged on by a spirited Cottage crowd, and on the cusp of the 11th minute had the chance their efforts merited. De Cordova-Reid's sweeping ball from the right seemed destined for Mitro to put home, but our big man couldn't quite find the target after battling to win his header.

Just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark Fulham had a flurry of chances to take what would've been a deserved lead. First, a pair of long-rangers from Andreas - the second from a neat Willian corner routine – had to be diverted wide, before an Andreas corner found Mitro at the back sticks, with Tyrone Mings' goal line block the only thing keeping it goalless.

Andreas was clearly in the mood tonight, and went close yet again minutes later. Winning a free-kick 30-yards from goal, our midfield maestro went for goal, needing a stern Martinez hand to tip it over.

Steven Gerrard's side grew into the game in the next 10 minutes to come, with Bernd Leno being at hand to parry a couple of efforts on goal.

On the 33rd minute, Willian – who had looked lively all game – yet again went close to finding an opener. Following Andreas' lung-busting burst up field, our Brazilian winger was fed in, cutting inside before aiming to bend his shot across goal, but Martinez matched it again.

A few minutes later the Whites finally found the finishing touch, through a perhaps unfamiliar source. Andreas' wicked delivery caused problems yet again and meant Martinez had to flap at it and could only punch as far as Reed. He took one touch, steadied himself like an established striker and blasted one into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the box to bag his first ever goal at Craven Cottage, and put Fulham 1-0 up.

Fulham were spelling more problems for Villa into the second half, and went close to gaining a goal cushion on the 54th minute. After João Palhinha won the ball back in the middle of the pitch he played it to Willian on the counter, who switched it to Mitro, but our striker's half-volleyed effort was blocked at the last.

There was some VAR drama on the hour mark involving Mitro and Douglas Luiz. Initially undetected by the on-field officials, replays showed the Villa man to clearly headbutt our Serbian striker and see red as a result.

Six minutes later and Mitro was at the heart of things again as he won his side a penalty. Taking it down calmly from De Cordova-Reid's perfect cross-field pass, our number 9 struck at goal and was blocked from the flailing arm of Matty Cash. In fitting style, our striker showed no signs of nerves to dispatch underneath the torso of Martinez.

The side in claret had a rare sighter on goal in the 80th minute, after Ashley Young found some space before dispatching a cross into Ollie Watkins, who saw his effort blocked by a resolute Fulham backline.

With 10 to play Fulham found a third. Some mesmerising skill and balance from Kebano culminated in our man getting past his marker before flashing one across goal which was kindly diverted in by Mings to add the cherry on top of a sweet display.

There was time for another bonus with the clock ticking down, as Luke Harris made his Premier League debut, coming on in place of Andreas.

In the end Fulham saw out a top performance to return to winning ways and keep an impressive start to the 2022/23 campaign going.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/october/20/fulham-3-0-aston-villa/

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Fulham battle West Ham United for Luizao

Fulham and West Ham United are set to go up against each other for the signature of Brazilian defender Luizao.

According to Gazetaesportiva, London based Premier League sides Fulham and West Ham United are both interested in securing the services of Brazilian defender Luizao.

The 20-year-old is making waves with his performances for Brazilian giants Sao Paulo. The Samba side's manager, Rogerio Ceni expects the youngster to move to Europe next year. Luizao's contract with Sao Paulo is up in January and there does not appear to be any indication of a renewal in the works.

He will not be short of options with several European sides keeping close tabs on developments. Newly promoted Fulham have enjoyed a fine start to the season but are in possession of the fourth worst defence in the top flight. They have conceded 20 goals so far in the Premier League and this inability to shut up shop could back to bite them come the business end of the season.

Signing Luizao is certainly a tempting proposition given their requirements. The 20-year-old is a fine player with immense potential. He is, however, far from the refined product and is unlikely to make an impression from the get-go.

West Ham United is another team who can do with a centre-back. Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna are not getting any younger while Kurt Zouma has his issues with injuries. The Hammers brought in Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer in the summer and the duo could have a big role at the club in the years to come.

Adding a prospect such as Luizao will add depth and a potential world-class talent to the squad. Should he develop as expected, the Hammers could strike big. Landing a player of his abilities, that too for free is something that the London side can try to take advantage of.

A good passer, the Brazilian has the technical ability and intelligence to thrive as a modern-day centre-back. However, he does lack aerial prowess and is yet to get proper control over his discipline. Leaving it unaddressed could land him in hot soup in the physically competent Premier League. The Brazilian has the physicality to thrive in Europe and how he refines that aspect of his game could determine his fortunes.

Still rough around the edges, Luizao has much to do before he can be relied upon as a top-level footballer starting week-in, week-out for a Premier League side. But then Fulham and West Ham would both be foolhardy to not sign him should the opportunity arise.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/10/21/fulham-battle-west-ham-united-for-luizao/

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Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa: Steven Gerrard SACKED after his team are easily beaten at Craven Cottage... with Harrison Reed and Aleksandar Mitrovic netting either side of Douglas Luiz's red card, before late Tyrone Mings own goal rubs salt in wound

    Fulham sealed a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Thursday
    Harrison Reed drove a shot home from the edge of the box in the 36th minute
    Aleksandar Mitrovic doubled Fulham's lead with a penalty in the second-half
    Tyrone Mings scored an own goal in the dying stages of the game in west London
    Defeat saw Aston Villa sack manager Steven Gerrard just hours after full time

Steven Gerrard is a fighter not a quitter. This much we knew from a playing career famed for its superhero rescue missions and stoppage-time salvage operations.

Unfortunately, that particular cry of defiance has lost its credence. Undermined by the astonishing events downstream a few hours before Aston Villa performed their own impression of a shambolic mess about to give up on their leader.

Fulham were excellent, give them credit, but Villa slithered from bad to worse. Lucky to be only one down at half-time, they lost their discipline in the second half and were reduced to 10 men for the final half-hour when Douglas Luiz was sent off for headbutting Aleksandar Mitrovic.


Villa went into the match struggling and were booed off by their own fans at the final whistle


Fulham - without a win in three matches before Thursday - were superb at Craven Cottage

Then they crumbled further, conceding a Mitrovic penalty and an own goal by Tyrone Mings, which summed it all up.

Disgruntled Villa fans turned on their manager, jeered him from the pitch at the final whistle and chanted for him to go.

'We'll see what happens,' said Gerrard before leaving Craven Cottage. 'Football is in my DNA and quitting is certainly not. The performance was miles away from what I wanted, what I expected, what I stand for and I understand the fans' frustration.

'The reality is it's not good enough for this club. You know and I know I'm in a very difficult position right now.'

True enough. Less than 90 minutes after the final whistle came confirmation he was gone, sacked less than a year into the job, with Villa teetering outside the Premier League's relegation zone by virtue of scoring more goals than Wolves.

Perhaps most painful for Gerrard was the bitter disappointment followed flickers of encouragement in defeat against Chelsea on Sunday. He made one change to the team, with Jan Bednarek in for his first Villa start to combat the aerial presence of Mitrovic, and moved Ezri Konsa to right back.

Emi Martinez made saves to deny Willian and Andreas Pereira as Fulham started with great energy and intensity. Perhaps they detected the visitors were afraid and devoid of confidence.

Mitrovic headed over and an attempt from distance by Pereira took a heavy deflection, dipped and was only narrowly over.

Willian pulled a corner back to the edge of the penalty area where Pereira met it on the volley. His sweet effort fizzed through a crowd, clipped another Villa player and went wide.

From the corner, Mitrovic arrived at the back post, unmarked at the end of an arcing run. The Serbian forward looked sure to score as he sailed through the air. His header was firm and beat Martinez but Mings was on the line to block it.


Harrison Reed slammed a shot into the net on the half-volley in the 36th minute of the match


The Fulham midfielder celebrated his opening goal with his jubilant boss Marco Silva (right)

Gerrard looked on anxiously. For 25 minutes, Villa found it impossible to escape to the safety of the other half of the pitch. Fulham's hustle forced them into mistakes.

Villa resisted but they looked far from solid. Martinez made another save, pushing over a free-kick by Pereira, and came to gather a couple of crosses before Ollie Watkins forced Bernd Leno into action.

But Villa were punished for their progress as Pereira sprang Fulham on a threatening counterattack. Martinez saved to deny Willian but their resistance was broken nine minutes before the interval.

Pereira's corner was punched clear by the Villa goalkeeper to Harrison Reed, alone on the edge of the box. Reed brought the high ball under control with his first touch, and slammed it into the net on the half-volley with his second.


Mitrovic slotted home his eighth goal of the season after Matty Cash handled inside the box


Fulham wrapped up the scoring when Tyrone Mings turned a Neeskens Kebano cross home

Home fans at Craven Cottage taunted Gerrard by singing about getting sacked in the morning and the away fans shifted uneasily, as the mutinous mood spread through their ranks.

Villa, at least, summoned a reaction. Leno saved from Danny Ings and Watkins but almost leaked a second as Neeskens Kebano, Willian and Mitrovic all went close.

It made for breathless entertainment, though this was little consolation for Gerrard as he strode past a barrage of boos from the away end as he returned to the dressing rooms at half-time.

He abandoned the Bednarek plan at the interval. Matty Cash came on but little changed. Ings wasted an excellent chance to equalise, heading tamely at Leno.


Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz was sent off in the second-half for a foul on Aleksandr Mitrovic


Gerrard was sacked just hours after the game with Villa's owners to target a statement hire

Then came the red card for Luiz, stupidly engaging off the ball with Mitrovic.

'I've got no complaints with the decision,' said Gerrard. 'It's really frustrating. There's still a lot of time left at 1-0 to get back and win the game. That moment of madness cost us. The mountain gets higher to climb.'

Gerrard was trying to send on Leander Dendoncker to restock his midfield when referee Michael Oliver penalised Cash for handball.

Villa claimed the ball was struck so fast and from such close quarters that the full back had no chance, but the rule is flawed and, once given, there was no VAR reprieve.

Mitrovic scored from the spot. Not his finest penalty, squeezed under the body of Martinez, but enough to celebrate his eighth of the season.

An own goal by Mings, deflecting a cross by Kebano cross past his own 'keeper, proved the final significant act of the Gerrard era at Aston Villa.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11337713/Fulham-3-0-Aston-Villa-Marco-Silvas-Cottagers-ruin-riot-against-fire-Villa.html

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Classy Fulham brush aside feeble Villa

Fulham 3 Aston Villa 0

Goals from Harrison Reed, Aleksandar Mitrovic and a Tyrone Mings own goal helped Fulham to a first win in four matches and heaped more pressure on Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard.

The Whites dominated the opening period as Emiliano Martinez denied both Andreas Pereira and Mitrovic with excellent saves and Mings also blocking a goalbound effort from the Serbian striker on the line.

The Whites finally got the breakthrough they richly deserved when Reed found the bottom corner with a superb strike from 25 yards 10 minutes before half-time.

Villa, who created very little, almost equalised just before the break when Tim Ream and Bernd Leno got into a mix-up in the box when attacking a bouncing ball, but Ollie Watkins was denied by Issa Diop on the line.

The visitors, who have only tasted victory twice this season, were reduced to 10 men midway through the second period when Douglas Luiz was shown a straight red card after clashing with Mitrovic off the ball following a VAR consultation by Michael Oliver.

That decision effectively ended the game as a contest with Mitrovic doubling the hosts' lead from the penalty spot after Matthew Cash was adjudged to have handballed a cross from the Fulham talisman.

Villa's woes were compounded five minutes from time when Mings deflected a Neeskens Kebano cross into his own net to hoist Fulham up to ninth spot on the table.


Fulham: Leno, Robinson, Ream, Diop, Decordova-Reid, Reed (Cairney 72), Pereira (Harris 87), Palhinha, Willian (James 72), Kebano (Wilson 85), Mitrovic (Vinicius 85). Subs not used: Rodak, Tosin, Duffy, Mbabu.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/classy-fulham-brush-aside-feeble-villa

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Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa: Cottagers hammer another nail in Gerrard's coffin as sack looms

Steven Gerrard's days as manager of Aston Villa are surely numbered after his side suffered a 3-0 loss against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Villa headed into this match sitting outside of the bottom three on goal difference after winning just two games this season.

They were subjected to yet another defeat by a dominant Fulham outfit. The visitors were booed by their own fans at half-time and at the final whistle.

Fulham – without a win in three matches before Thursday – had started brightly and were rewarded for their early pressure in the 36th minute when Harrison Reed fired in from the edge of the box.

Douglas Luiz was shown a second-half red card following a VAR review of a minor altercation with Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Fulham dominated afterwards.

A Matty Cash handball led to a penalty for the hosts, converted by the Serbia striker, before Tyrone Mings put the ball in the back of his own net for Fulham's third.

Willian had Fulham's first significant chance of the game in the fourth minute as the home side started brightly, but his shot was straight at Emiliano Martinez.

Mitrovic was then picked out expertly by a long ball into the box but nodded over the bar.

Fulham looked to be edging even closer when Andreas Pereira fired wide after being picked out by a Willian corner. Martinez had to dive low to deny Mitrovic from the following corner – an effort that was blocked on the line by Mings.

Martinez had to be alert again in the 33rd minute to palm behind a curled low effort from Willian, but despite their possession and chances, Fulham had not been able to find the breakthrough.

In the 36th minute, Villa failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Reed at the edge of the box. The midfielder made no mistake, taking a touch before firing past Martinez.

Villa had their first significant chance of the game just before half-time, when Bernd Leno was unable to gather after punching the ball upwards, and Issa Diop had to block Ollie Watkins' follow-up effort on the line.

The second half started in a slightly more end-to-end fashion, with opportunities for both sides, although the Cottagers continued to look the more dangerous.

Matters got worse for Villa and boss Gerrard in the 63rd minute when Luiz was controversially sent off following a VAR review.

Luiz and Mitrovic had squared up with some minor contact between them, but the Villa player was shown a red card for the altercation.

Cash's handball in the box opened the door for Fulham to score their second shortly afterwards.

The Villa defender blocked the ball onto his own arm from a Mitrovic shot and referee Michael Oliver pointed immediately to the penalty spot.

The Fulham number nine took his chance, slotting home his eighth goal of the season.

Fulham wrapped up the scoring and put the result beyond doubt when Mings turned a Neeskens Kebano ball across the box into his own net.



https://www.football365.com/news/fulham-3-0-aston-villa-cottagers-hammer-another-nail-gerrard-coffin-sack-looms

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Silva delighted by Fulham's humbling of Villa

Marco Silva heaped praise on his Fulham side after the Whites produced their best performance of the season to brush aside Aston Villa 3-0 at Craven Cottage.

Goals from Harrison Reed, Aleksandar Mitrovic and a Tyrone Mings own-goal sealed the Whites' biggest Premier League win in nine years, with Silva's side recording only their second clean sheet of the season.

"We performed very well tonight the way we played, the way we created chances, the way we dominated, it was really good, especially in the first half," Silva said.

"We played well in the first half against Liverpool although it was a different kind of game and against Brentford we were very good too.

"But this was the most dominant performance from us. They (Villa) came here to do the maximum and get three points and we knew it was important to start on the front foot.

"They are good side with confidence from the goalkeeper down to the front two and have a good manager too so we knew we couldn't switch off for one second and it was great to do it in front of our fans.

"It was a great evening for us and a well deserved three points.

"The quality of our game in the first half and the problems we created for them from the first minute of the match was great."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-delighted-by-fulhams-humbling-of-villa

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Steven Gerrard sacked as Aston Villa manager minutes after losing to Fulham

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has been sacked after Villa lost 3-0 to Fulham on Thursday evening - less than one year after he was appointed by the West Midlands side

Steven Gerrard has been sacked as Aston Villa boss after his side slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Fulham on Thursday evening.

Villa confirmed Gerrard had left the club just hours after the result, and a statement on the Villa website read: "We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future." Villa are hovering just above the relegation zone following Thursday's result.

Gerrard joined Villa less than a year ago after guiding Rangers to their first Scottish title in over a decade in 2021. However, Gerrard hasn't been able to replicate similar success in the West Midlands - and the result against Fulham was the breaking point.

Just hours before leaving Villa, Gerrard told Amazon Prime: "The performance was nowhere near good enough.

"The first half shocked me, particularly after the weekend. I'll try and find the answers but I won't disrespect my players. We were excellent at the weekend but it's very difficult to praise them after tonight. It's tough but I'm a man and I accept it and I feel their frustration. It was a tough night for me personally.

"We'll see what happens. I understand the situation we're in. I'm a fighter and I will never, ever quit anything, certainly when it comes to football, so we'll see what happens."

John McGinn hit out at the performance after the full-time whistle, he said: "Disappointed. It doesn't represent us as players.

"Players who have got to this level by working hard and fighting for every ball. It's embarrassing to be involved in. We've let the supporters and manager down. It could have been a lot more. We're going to have to pick ourselves up for Sunday."

He added: "I've experienced a lot at this club. It's important for us as players to ignore it but we need to give them something to cheer about. They follow us near and far, we can understand their anger and we can only apologise it. We can't dwell on it."

Gerrard only led Villa to 13 wins from 40 games during his 11 months in charge.

Villa now face the tough task of replacing the Liverpool legend in the dugout while truing to avoid a relegation battle during the latter stages of the Premier League campaign.



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-steven-gerrard-sacked-villa-28293133

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Fluent Fulham put Gerrard out of his misery
Four years ago, when Fulham won their first promotion to the Premier League under Shahid Khan's ownership, they ended John Terry's career at Wembley as Tom Cairney's goal took Slavisa Jokanovic's side to victory over Aston Villa. Tonight, at Craven Cottage, they finished off another England captain's association with the Villains as Steven Gerrard was dismissed from his managerial duties after Marco Silva's side eased to a comfortable victory at Craven Cottage.

Bafflingly, Villa – who have won just two league games this season – were favourites with the bookmakers for this encounter. They never looked like securing the win that would have relieved the pressure on Gerrard, who glumly conceded his side were second best in a sombre post-match press conference. Like Liz Truss, the manager insisted he wasn't a quitter only to be removed by the Villa in a terse statement after he had finished speaking. An angry fan base now has to hope that the Villa hierarchy can make the right appointment, with the side languishing above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Fulham were rampant almost from the off. Willian, who replaced Dan James in the only change from Saturday's disappointing draw with Bournemouth, rolled back the years with a virtuoso display that belied his advancing years. The Brazilian played in the overlapping Antonee Robinson after a determined dribble by Bobby Decordova-Reid, but the American's shot was blocked at source. The former Arsenal and Chelsea winger tested Emi Martinez's reflexes with a low drive of his own, before Aleksandar Mitrovic headed a devilish Decordova-Reid cross over the bar. The Serbian went closer from a corner five minutes later, with Tyrone Mings hacking away the forward's header from underneath the bar.

Andreas Pereira, who had twice gone close with speculative strikes, then drew a low save from Martinez before Willian also extended the goalkeeper after a fine run. Villa threatened sporadically but Danny Ings found himself too isolated from the rest of his team-mates to put a fragile Fulham defence under pressure. Bernd Leno flapped at a couple of crosses to increase the nerves, but the natives were becalmed by a brilliant strike from Harrison Reed. The energetic midfielder rattled in his second goal in a month from just outside the box after Martinez had failed to punch away a corner convincingly.

Gerrard sent on Matty Cash at half-time but the visitors seemed to have no answer for Fulham's fluid football. Tyrone Mings bravely blocked a snapshot from Mitrovic at the end of a swift break, but Villa's cause became almost hopeless when Douglas Luiz headbutted Fulham's talisman and received a red card after a VAR review. Things went from bad to worse for Gerrard as Cash handled a goalbound effort from Mitrovic to concede a penalty, which squirmed under the unfortunate Martinez.

Ashley Yong and Ollie Wilkins went close for the ten men, before the defence caved in again. Mings, who Gerrard stripped of the captaincy this summer, get the final touch past his own goalkeeper after Neeskens Kebano had befuddled an all-at-sea Cash and fired a ball across the face of goal. Fulham were comfortable long before the end – with Silva introducing the prodigiously talented Luke Harris for his Premier League debut. Such a commanding win lifts the Whites into the top half of the table, if only for 48 hours.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Decordova-Reid, A. Robinson, Diop, Ream; Palhinha, Reed (Cairney 73); Willian (James 73), Kebano (Wilson 85), Pereira (Harris 87); Mitrovic (Vinicius 85). Subs (not used): Rodak, Adarioboy, Duffy, Mbabu.

GOALS: Reed (36), Mitrovic (pen 68), Mings (o.g. 83).

ASTON VILLA (4-3-2-1): Martinez; Konsa, Young, Bednarek (Cash 45), Mings; J. Ramsey (Archer 81), McGinn; Bailey (Buenda 58), Watkins; Ings (Dendoncker 69). Subs (not used): Olsen, Chambers, Sanson, Nakamba, Coutinho.

BOOKED: Bailey, Mings.

REFEREE: Michael Oliver (Tyne and Weir)

ATTENDANCE: 23,508.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/10/fluent-fulham-put-gerrard-out-of-his-misery/

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Silva delighted with 'dominant Fulham'
Marco Silva was delighted with his 'dominant' Fulham side after the Whites ripped apart Aston Villa in what proved to be Steven Gerrard's last game in charge at Craven Cottage.

The hosts were on top from the first whistle and, after spurning several good chances, went ahead through a blistering drive from Harrison Reed ten minutes before half time. After Douglas Luiz was sent off for brainlessly butting Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Serbian made it two from the penalty spot after his shot had been handled by Matty Cash. Gerrard's miserable evening by the Thames was complete when Tyrone Mings turned a Neeskens Kebano cross into his own net.

Silva told his post-match press conference that Fulham's display was everything they had worked on in the build up.

    "It was a great evening for us. It was a well-deserved three points and a great performance as well. Our first half was top level in my opinion. The way we played, the way we created chances, the way we were dominant, the way the players performed under our plan. We planned something, they understood and they performed really well.

    Villa came here to do their maximum to get three points. We knew it was crucial for us to start on the front foot, to be dominant, to command the game. We knew that we could not switch off one second, we had to be always there and we did it. Congratulations to our players and to our fans as well because they play together with our fans, which is always important."

The Fulham head coach was just as pleased with his side's first clean sheet since August at Wolves.

    "We knew that it was important for us to win and keep the clean sheet, the first at home this season. It's something that we have been talking about. Finally we got the first clean sheet, and when it happens winning 3-0 at home, I can say that is the perfect night for us."

Silva savoured Reed's second goal in a Fulham shirt – after the all-action midfielder waited more than a hundred games for his first, which arrived last month at the City Ground.

    "I'm really pleased for him, he deserves it. His work rate is fantastic. The way he works is always a very good example in our dressing room. And of course we are trying to get the best from him like we do with all the players. It's good to see him perform at level he performed tonight."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/10/silva-delighted-with-dominant-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham make attempt to sign midfielder – Whites chasing 2 players from same club

Besides being linked to São Paulo defender Luizão, it seems Fulham are interested in another player from the Brazilian club.

According to a new story from UOL, the Whites are chasing midfielder Pablo Maia as well. The Craven Cottage side reportedly already made an attempt ahead of a January move.

The website writes that the amounts on the table 'have not been revealed', although that information itself makes it sound like it was a real bid made by Fulham.

UOL writes that São Paulo 'consider Pablo Maia a great professional' and 'acknowledge the good technical level' the player has, also being aware that there are other English clubs who are interested in the player.

The outlet claims to have also been in touch with Junior Pedroso, the midfielder's agent, and the representative chose not to make any comments on this subject.

Fulham recently signed Willian, who had just left Corinthians, and Andreas Pereira, who had been at Flamengo and returned to Manchester United. So the Whites are clearly attentive to the Brazilian market, and it seems they're looking for a double coup at São Paulo.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-make-attempt-sign-midfielder-whites-chasing-2-players-club/