Monday Fulham Stuff - 24/10/22...

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Results

Sunday
Villa	4-0	Brentford
Leeds	2-3	Fulham
Southampton	1-1	Arsenal
Wolves	0-4	Leicester
Spurs	1-2	Newcastle

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Leeds United 2-3 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic's goal was his ninth in the Premier League this season

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch faces an uncertain future after Fulham came from behind to claim a win at Elland Road that leaves the Whites in in the Premier League bottom three and without a win in eight games.

Second-half goals from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Willian sealed the game for the Cottagers - the former steering a header before the latter scored from close range to provoke mutiny among the home crowd.

The last 10 minutes were played out to the sound of chants against Marsch and the club's board with the final whistle greeted by boos from around the ground.

Looking to boost their lowly league position and the standing of their beleaguered boss, the home side had led through Rodrigo's header in the 20th minute, raising the prospect of a first win since August.

But familiar defensive failings again undid them as they allowed Aleksandar Mitrovic an unchallenged close-range header from a corner just six minutes later.

In what is becoming a familiar story, the Whites looked huffed and puffed in attack but looked vulnerable all afternoon.

It took a superb goal-line block from Marc Roca to stop Harrison Reed scoring the opener and a fine save from Illan Meslier to stop Andreas Pereira making it 2-1 before the break.

Decordova-Reid and Willian took their chances when they came to complete the turnaround and ensure that not even Crysencio Summerville's late goal could alter the result.

It gives this enterprising and confident Fulham side a second successive win following Thursday's 3-0 win over Aston Villa and leaves Marsch to an uncertain fate.

Leeds wilt as Fulham fight back
After Thursday's loss at Leicester, which left Leeds out of the bottom three only on goal difference and saw a travelling support turn on Marsch, this felt like a must-win game for the American.

It was only a week ago that they largely outplayed league leaders Arsenal at Elland Road and Marsch was eager before Sunday's game to draw on this positive and the possibility of a repeat.

They certainly set to do just that in a bold and bright opening 20 minutes, backed by a vociferous crowd, at the end of which Rodrigo nodded the opener following Jack Harrison's blocked shot.

This would be as good as it got, though, for the home side, who wilted as soon as Fulham got to grips with the game and showed some endeavour.

Mitrovic, who struggled during his last Premier League campaign, is a different top-flight animal this season and needs little invitation to score - so Leeds erred badly by leaving him unmarked six yards out from a corner.

And the home side diced with danger all too regularly, needing Roca to rescue them at 0-0 and Meslier to do the same at 1-1.

There was no rescue act once Decordova-Reid had glanced in his hammer blow of a header and Willian had tapped home to put daylight between the sides.

As Leicester witnessed on a smaller scale on Thursday - and as Fulham will have known going into this game - the Leeds support is a powder keg waiting to ignite in fury at the club's failings.

And so it came to pass with chants against the manager and board, the latter getting the lion's share, only interrupted momentarily by Summerville's goal - his first for the club.

Boos filled the ground at full-time and continued as Marsch took to the pitch to applaud the fans. It could well be the last this ground sees of the American.

For Fulham, this represents another big feather in the cap. A second successive win was their fifth of this Premier League season - the same amount they managed in the entirety of their last top-flight campaign in 2020-21. This win puts them seventh.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63274134

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Post-Leeds Press Conference

Marco Silva was pleased with how his side battled back after going behind at a packed Elland Road.

"Both sides didn't have the normal week to prepare, but we still prepared ourselves really well and the players stuck to the plan. Even though we went 1-0 behind, the way we reacted and came back away from home was great.

"I'm delighted for our players and we knew at the beginning of the match the pressure would be tough, but we also knew there were moments we could show our quality to beat that pressure.

"We were strong in set piece moments, so we prepared the team well for that. The players deserve the credit, and so do the fans."

When asked about our impressive league position, Marco said: "For us, it doesn't change anything. After going down to 10 men against Newcastle and then losing in that strange match against West Ham, nobody panicked in that moment at our football club.

"On the other side, now we are not over the moon. We are pleased as we deserved the three points and we got them, but now is a moment to rest and analyse the game and then go to the next one with full focus again."

With Aleksandar Mitrović netting his ninth of the season, the boss was full of praise after full-time.

"Mitro is a top player and he has been great for us over the past few years and also his national team. He's a really important player and he's more than just a goalscorer. As a team, we are confident and we are here to embrace the challenge. I'm here to get the best from my players."

Our number nine went down in the first half, but Marco assured the media that it was nothing too serious.

"He felt it in that moment, but we assessed it at half-time and he told me that he was ok to keep going. I asked him again in the middle of the second half and he said to me the same again. The feedback from the player is always the most important."

Marco was also asked by the media about Andreas' excellent performance.

"He has been outstanding this season. I know a lot of people had doubts when I decided to sign him but I knew his qualities and his character.

"Even last season we had a conversation about his future but it wasn't the right moment for him to join us. He's a key player on and off the ball and with set pieces. Two assists this afternoon. A top professional who is enjoying himself at the moment in a white shirt. The three midfielders all played an amazing game today."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/october/23/Post-Leeds-Press-Conference/

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Leeds 2-3 Fulham

Fulham made it back-to-back wins on Sunday, beating Leeds United 3-2 at Elland Road.

Rodrigo put the hosts ahead, but goals from Aleksandar Mitrović, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Willian ensured the points came back to London. Crysencio Summerville bagged a late goal for Leeds, but it made no difference in the end.

Marco Silva opted for two changes to the side that put on a superb performance against Aston Villa earlier in the week. Harry Wilson made his long-awaited first Premier League start this season, replacing Neeskens Kebano.

In defence, Tosin made his return with Issa Diop beginning on the substitutes bench.

The game got off to a highly energetic start, with both sides tussling for control in front of a packed-out Elland Road.

The home side created a few half-chances early on. Marc Roca had his effort well blocked, before Jack Harrison dribbled down the byline and fired in a low cross. Our back line defended well when called into action.

We had to soak up some more pressure, with Sam Greenwood taking aim and firing over from outside the area.

Despite Leeds' early control, we came inches away from taking the lead on the 13-minute mark. Antonee Robinson's excellent delivery was too high for Aleksandar Mitrović but landed perfectly at the feet of Harrison Reed. His low strike was somehow blocked off the line by Roca, before Robin Koch cleared. Agonisingly close to yet another goal for Reed.

We were made to regret the missed chance, with Leeds taking the lead on 20 minutes. Harrison's effort was brilliantly blocked by Tim Ream, but the looping deflection was nodded home by Rodrigo at the back post.

Nevertheless, we responded excellently and found an equaliser just a few minutes later. Andreas swung in a perfect corner which was headed home at the front post by Mitro. Goal number nine for our Serbian bagsman.

We had our tails up after the leveler and should've gone ahead just before the half-hour mark. Andreas latched onto an excellent Willian through ball, but his effort was well saved by Illan Meslier. Wilson was screaming for the ball to be played across to him.

We grew into the half and should've gone in ahead, but after 45 minutes the score was settled at 1-1.

The second half started very much how the first one ended. Plenty of action.

Andreas had a chance to pull the trigger up one end but the chance went away. Then, up the other, Brenden Aaronson cut in from the left and curled a looping effort over the far corner.

Rodrigo tried to grab his second goal of the afternoon soon after, getting on the end of a Harrison cross and firing wide. Luke Ayling also had a crack, chesting the ball down before volleying inches wide.

But again, we threw back a punch of our own, and it came from a lightning quick counter-attack. Andreas played a great ball through to João Palhinha, who looked to have the goal at his mercy. However, the replay showed that Ayling managed to get a small touch on the ball, which meant the chance went begging.

Leno came to our rescue on 67 minutes, making a crucial save to keep the score level. Aaronson played a clever ball through to substitute Patrick Bamford, who was quickly closed down by our stopper, who made the save.

Both sides looked dangerous going forward. Mitro made a darting run across the area before heading over after getting on the end of an Andreas free-kick. Reed found our dangerman not long after, but he was surrounded before he could pull the trigger.

He still managed to win a corner from the opportunity, though, and it led to the third goal of the game. Andreas was the assister again, with his swinging cross brilliantly headed home by De Cordova-Reid.

We continued to threaten and added a third with just seven minutes remaining. Reed, who had been excellent all afternoon, breezed past a defender with little space available before setting up Willian who rolled into an empty goal.

Leeds grabbed a late goal courtesy of Summerville, who poked the ball past Leno after bursting through.

Three goals scored for the second successive game and another three points on the board for our boys.

Leeds: Meslier, Cooper, Ayling, Koch, Struijk (Gelhardt 84'), Greenwood (Klich 76'), Aaronson, Harrison, Sinisterra (Summerville 64'), Roca, Rodrigo (Bamford 64')

Subs: Firpo, Summerville, Klich, Gelhardt, Robles, Gyabi, Bamford, Llorente, Kristensen

Fulham FC: Leno, De Cordova-Reid, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed (Cairney 93'), João Palhinha, Andreas, Wilson (Kebano 63'),Mitrović (Carlos Vinícius 92'), Willian (Duffy 89')

Subs: Onomah, Duffy, Diop, Cairney, Carlos Vinícius, Harris, Kebano, Mbabu, Rodák



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/october/23/Leeds-2-3-Fulham/

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Leeds 2-3 Fulham: Pressure mounts on Jesse Marsch as he and his players are BOOED off at Elland Road... with Arsenal flop Willian netting the winning goal for the Cottagers in frantic finish

    Rodrigo put the home side in the lead as he nodded in a loose ball in the box
    Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic equalised six minutes later with a header
    Bobby Decordova-Reid completed turnaround in 74th minute with fine header
    Willian wrapped up the win for Fulham in the 84th minute with a tap-in
    Crysencio Summerville added a late consolation for Leeds in stoppage time

Long before Marcelo Bielsa left Leeds United last season the club had identified Jesse Marsch as his replacement. In terms of succession planning, it was thorough.

Now, though, Leeds may soon have a more immediate decision to make. Leeds are on the drift – to put it politely – under Marsch and the Elland Road board face a genuine test of nerve.

Marsch will argue that there is some evidence in his favour. His team would appear to remain committed and they do spend periods of Premier League matches looking like a side capable to making progress in this environment.


Willian's goal was enough to give Fulham three points against Leeds at Elland Road


Leeds striker Rodrigo gave his side the lead in the 20th minute after he headed in


Leeds manager Jesse Marsch was under pressure from the home crowd going into the game

Sadly, Leeds' football where it really matters – at each end of the field – continues to undermine Marsch, as do the statistics.

Leeds are in the bottom three now. They have not won since August 21 in the league and have taken two points from a dismal eight-game sequence that has followed that.

As Marsch led his team off the field at the end of a third defeat in a week, there was a simple question asked by some sections of the support. 'What the f*****g hell was that?', they sang, and with good reason.


Fulham equalised through Aleksandar Mitrovic as he headed past Ilan Meslier at the near post

As they had here against Arsenal last week, Leeds were progressive for periods against a Fulham team looking increasingly comfortable back in the top division under Marco Silva. Leeds even took the lead through Rodrigo in the 20th minute.

But there continues to be a sense of chaos about this Leeds team at times and it continues to cost them. They subsequently created chances they didn't take and ultimately gave up three pretty dreadful goals to have lost the game convincingly by the time substitute Crysencio Sunmmerville pulled one back in added time.

The first two Fulham goals were headers. One, soon after Leeds had taken the lead, was converted at the near post by Aleksandar Mitrovic and went straight through the hands of goalkeeper Illian Meslier. The second, with sixteen minutes left, came off the head of the smallest man on the field, Fulham defender Bobby De Cordova-Reid. Soon after that Leeds lost the ball inside their own penalty area and the Brazilian Willian tidied up for Fulham.

A 3-1 scoreline was to become 3-2 but that will not comfort Marsch. Teams around him at the bottom have been sacking managers, with varying degrees of success. He will doubtless wonder if his turn is coming.

His team had been dreadful in losing at Leicester three days previously and Marsch made six changes on the back of that disappointment. Fulham, meanwhile, had been excellent in seeing off Aston Villa the same night, a result that cost Steven Gerrard his job.


The goal was the Serbian forward's eighth of the Premier League season for Fulham

Here Leeds were the brighter early on. There were, though, shades of how they had been in playing and losing to Arsenal here a week earlier. Once again, they lacked a focal point.

Leeds do have capable attacking players. Jack Harrison was courted by Newcastle for a reason in the summer. Here he tricked his way to the byline in the sixth minute but then couldn't find a team mate. Away on the left, meanwhile, Luis Sinisterra did likewise a minute later but he couldn't find the right pass either.

This can be typical of Leeds. Promising but ultimately wasteful. And vulnerable at the back.

Fulham had started slowly and had hardly been in the game but then almost out of nothing they came close to taking the lead in the 14th minute.

A neat pass from centre field gave left-back Antonee Robinson space to run in to and when his cross was flicked on by Mitrovic, Harrison Reed found himself in space. The 27-year-old controlled the ball well and seemed certain to score only for his low shot to be blocked on the line by Marc Roca with the ball then hacked clear by Robin Koch.


Meslier made a great save to deny Periera from giving Fulham the lead in the 37th minute

It was superb piece of work by Roca in particular. He had no right to stop the shot, really. And within four minutes Leeds were in the lead themselves.

Robinson was involved again, this time slipping as a pass from Brenden Aaronson headed his way. Harrison was in space behind the Fulham defender and only had the goalkeeper to beat. In truth, he took too long and that allowed Tim Ream to block. But then then ball looped up off the Fulham captain, Rodrigo jumped highest above Tosin Aadarabioyo to head the ball in from less than six yards.

It was a lead Leeds desperately wanted and only the second time Marsch's players had scored first in a Premier League game since beating Chelsea here in August. As such a period of consolidation would have been helpful but it wasn't to be and Fulham's equaliser was painfully straight forward.

Mitrovic stole a yard on Luke Ayling at the near post from a corner and his flick header went straight through Meslier's parry and in to the net.


Bobby Decordova-Reid scored his side's second goal to put them in the lead at Elland Road

For the next ten minutes or so, Leeds were at their very worst. There was a sense of madness about their football and it almost cost them when they were caught with too many players in the Fulham half 15 minutes before half-time.

When Ayling lost a dual with Willian ten yards inside Fulham territory, the Brazilian was able to play Andreas Pereira clear in to oceans of space with one simple pass.

Pereira should have scored. Or he should have passed to his right where a team-mate had worked hard to catch up and provide an option. Instead the right foot shot with the instep was telegraphed a little and Meslier dived to his left to parry.

Fulham looked likely to score again at that point but the imminent threat dissipated and for the first 20 minutes or so of the second half Leeds were once again the better team. Half chances came their way but nothing more.


Willian tied up the result in the 84th minute with his first goal for Fulham since joining the club

Rodrigo drove a shot from an angle in to the midriff of Bernd Leno in the first minute of the second period and then Sinisterra slid Aaronson through. A first time shot with his left foot probably would have served the American best but instead he checked back on to his right and curled a shot about half a yard over the bar.

Rodrigo flashed a shot wide of the near post soon after that before Ayling moved on to a quickly taken free kick to shoot low and wide from 20 yards. Next up was Sam Greenwood who worked Leno from a similar distance.

The threat from Leeds was apparent but how many saves of real magnitude had Leno been asked to make? None, really.

Fulham's own menace was carried almost solely on the break but it remained. The Portuguese holding player Palhinha was played clear on the hour but was too slow and Ayling caught him. Then, not long after, Mitrovic moved unmarked on to a free-kick and headed over.

Patrick Bamford was on as a substitute for Leeds by now and his first big chance had come and gone in the 67th minute. Bamford's movement is often first class but his finishing can be less so. Here he was played in on goal only for his first touch to be heavy meaning that Leno could advance to smother his second, a shot poked with the outside of his right foot.

It was a huge opportunity missed and within ten minutes Leeds had paid a heavy price. Again it was too easy for Fulham. A corner from the right was returned to Pereira and when he crossed to the near post De Cordova-Reid was unmarked to head across Meslier and in at the far post.

A pattern that is threatening to kill Leeds and do for their coach, such defensive self-destruction was evident again when Willian scored to turn the atmosphere here febrile. It was Reed who pulled the ball back for the Brazilian to score from eleven yards but it had been a Leeds player – Liam Cooper – whose dangling leg had presented the ball to the opposition in his own penalty area in the first place.

Summerville was played in to score by Joe Gelhardt in the 91st minute but by then this game was over.




https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11345795/Leeds-2-3-Fulham-Cottagers-complete-turnaround-Jesse-Marsch-booed-Elland-Road.html

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Silva savours 'great win' for Fulham
Leeds 2 Fulham 3

Willian scored his first goal for Fulham as they came from behind to win at Elland Road.

Rodrigo's 20th-minute header put Leeds ahead but Aleksandar Mitrovic quickly equalised.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid put Fulham ahead with 16 minutes remaining and Willian added a third before Crysencio Summerville pulled a goal back for Leeds, whose fans turned on manager Jesse Marsch.

The result meant back-to-back wins for the Whites, whose encouraging return to the Premier League continues.

Mitrovic took full advantage of poor Leeds defending to score from close range when unmarked.

And as the home crowd turned increasingly irate in the second half, De Cordova-Reid glanced in a header and Willian tapped in the visitors' third.

"It was a great win for us," Fulham boss Marco Silva declared.

"It was well deserved – we were the best team. We knew with our quality that we would create chances.

"To come back like we did is unbelievable from our players and they deserve all the credit.

"We believed in believed in ourselves, created a lot of chances and I think deserved the three points."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-come-from-behind-to-win-at-leeds

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Leeds 2-3 Fulham: Cottagers come from behind to heap pressure on Jesse Marsch

Bobby Decordova-Reid and Willian scored second-half goals as Fulham won 3-2 at Elland Road to send Leeds spiralling into the Premier League's bottom three.

A fourth straight defeat has further cranked up the pressure on Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch, whose side's winless run was extended to eight matches.

It started well for the under-fire American when Rodrigo headed Leeds in front, but they were pegged back before half-time by Aleksandar Mitrovic's header.

Leeds had most of the possession in the second period as they strived to regain the lead, but there was no end product and they were punished by Decordova-Reid's header and Willian's sliding finish.

Leeds substitute Crysencio Summerville reduced the deficit in the first minute of added time, but it was not enough and by then Marsch had already endured chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" from his own fans.

Fulham maintained their impressive progress under Marco Silva after Thursday night's 3-0 home win against Aston Villa had lifted them up to ninth in the table. They now sit eighth after their fifth league win of the season following promotion under Silva last May.

Leeds' accustomed flying start had Fulham scrambling inside their own penalty area as Luis Sinisterra and then Jack Harrison were crowded out.

But the only shot at goal during an encouraging opening spell for Leeds came from Sam Greenwood, making only his second start for the club, and that flew over the crossbar.

Fulham were denied an opener with their first attempt and against the run of play in the 14th minute when Harrison Reed's low shot was brilliantly blocked on the goalline by Marc Roca and then cleared by Robin Koch.

Leeds were then rewarded for their break-neck start. Brenden Aaronson picked out Harrison and his shot deflected off Fulham skipper Tim Ream to the far post where Rodrigo headed home his fifth goal of the season.

The home side's lead was short-lived though as Mitrovic's near-post header from Andreas Pereira's corner flew through Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier's grasp.

Fulham's riposte - and Mitrovic's ninth league goal of the season - silenced Elland Road and the home fans held their breath soon after when Pereira raced clear following a clearance from a Leeds corner. But Meslier, making his 100th Whites appearance, made amends for his earlier gaffe with a superb block to keep the scores level at the break.

Leeds flew out of the blocks again after the restart. Rodrigo's shot was held by Bernd Leno and Aaronson's effort curled off target. Rodrigo and Luke Ayling both fired wide as Leeds' chances mounted, before the latter rescued his side twice at the other end, thwarting Joao Palhinha and blocking another goalbound shot.

Leno produced a smart block to deny second-half substitute Patrick Bamford, but Fulham turned the game on its head when the unmarked Decordova-Reid headed them into the lead from Pereira's cross.

A large section of home fans called for March to go and chanted "sack the board" before Willian turned home Reed's 84th-minute cut-back, while Summerville's stoppage-time effort for Leeds was mere consolation.

Additional reporting by PA.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-fulham-premier-league-marsch-b1034653.html

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Fulham's fightback leaves Marsch on the brink
Fulham fashioned a feisty comeback to condemn Leeds United to a fourth consecutive league defeat that could well prove terminal for beleaguered boss Jesse Marsch. The American coach, who is still firefighting eight months after succeeding Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road, got the boost of an early goal from Rodrigo but the Brazilian's close range header failed to galvanise a struggling side – who quickly conceded the softest of equalisers as Aleksandar Mitrovic guided in a corner at the near post.

The visitors passed up plenty of chances to go in front before Bobby Decordova-Reid flicked a fabulous header home from Andreas Pereira's cross and when the makeshift right back waltzed along the right flank to tee up Willian for his first Fulham goal, Marco Silva's men had breathing space. The Londoners had to sweat through stoppage time after Crysencio Summerville poked in a second, but their first win in Yorkshire since 2018 could have serious consequences for Marsch beyond the immediate impact on the Premier League table.

Fulham headed to Beeston full of beans after a commanding win over Aston Villa in midweek. Silva sprung a couple of surprises in his starting line-up, recalling Tosin Adarabioyo at the heart of the defence and handing a first start of the season to Harry Wilson on the right. They had to be on their mettle as Leeds made a fast start with Marc Roca having an early effort blocked and Sam Greenford shooting over, but missed a glorious chance to open the scoring thirteen minutes in. Antonee Robinson's deep delivery fell invitingly for Harrison Reed at the far post following Mitrovic's flick on but the midfielder couldn't squeeze a third goal in five games between Ilian Meslier and Roca on the line.

Fulham paid the penalty for Reed's failure to convert when Leeds opened up their defence seven minutes later. Brenden Aaronson slipped a ball through the back four for Jack Harrison and, although Tim Ream blocked his cross, the ball ballooned up to the back post where Rodrigo nodded into the empty net. It was no surprise that he outjumped the diminutive Decordova-Reid, but Adarabioyo should have put him under more aerial pressure. Marsch elected not to exuberantly celebrate the goal, as has been his wont, and perhaps that is an indication of the toll he has been under of late.

Leeds were jittery even though there were in front – and the lead didn't last long. Andreas Pereira produced the perfect near post corner and it was all too easy for Mitrovic to lose Luke Ayling and head in his ninth Premier League goal in eleven games. Pereira should have put Silva's side ahead when he raced onto a wonderful defence-splitting pass from Willian but he should straight at Illan Meslier instead of squaring it for Wilson, who had the freedom of west Yorkshire inside the area. Where Leeds were once dominating the midfield battle, Fulham began to exploit the fact that Sam Greenwood – a forward – had been redeployed as a holding midfielder in the absence of Tyler Adams and the end-to-end nature of the encounter continued after the interval.

Pereira perhaps should have shot rather than take the ball across the box, whilst Aaronson drifted in from the left and curled an effort a couple of yards over the top. Leeds lacked penetration in the final third and Marsch summoned Patrick Bamford, scorer in all of his last four fixtures against Fulham, from the bench after Rodrigo and Ayling had shot wide. The former Chelsea striker quickly had a great chance to score his hundredth career goal but Bernd Leno sped off his line, alert to the danger posed by Aaronson's perfectly weighted pass, and made a vital save.

Fulham attacked again with Mitrovic heading over and Reed, regularly arriving late into the area, seeing a shot deflected behind. Leeds didn't clear the subsequent corner and, with their centre backs too preoccupied by the Serbian, Decordova-Reid darted towards the near post utterly unattended and flicked a clever header across Meslier from Pereira's floated cross. The visitors always looked likely to add a third and Reed was creator of the clinching goal as he crept away from two white shirts to make space for Willian where none seemed available and the evergreen winger rolled a simple finish into the empty net.

Leeds' fanatical support had lost faith in Marsch and their heroes by this point. That goal sparked an exodus with boos and chants against the board. Two substitutes, Summerville and Joe Geldhardt, linked up to reduce the hosts' arrears in added time but they never looked like completing the comeback. Fulham's flair and fortitude sees Silva's stylish side move up to eighth: a position even the most ardent supporter would have scoffed at in the summer.

LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Strujik (Geldhardt 84), Koch, Cooper; Greenwood (Klisch 76), Roca; Harrison, Sinisterra (Summerville 64), Aaronson; Rodrigo (Bamford 64). Subs (not used): Robles, Firpo, Llorente, Kristensen, Gyabi.

BOOKED: Cooper.

GOALS: Rodrigo (20), Summerville (90+1).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Decordova-Reid, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Palhinha, Reed (Cairney 90); Wilson (Kebano 63), Willian (Duffy 89), Pereira; Mitrovic (Vinicius 90). Subs (not used): Rodak, Mbabu, Diop, Onomah, Harris.

BOOKED: A. Robinson.

GOALS: Mitrovic (26), Decordova-Reid (74), Willian (84).

REFEREE: Antony Taylor (Greater Manchester).

ATTENDANCE: 36,447.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/10/fulhams-fightback-leaves-marsch-on-the-brink/

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Silva: 'A great win'
Marco Silva saluted Fulham's spirit after the Whites came from behind to beat Leeds and increase the pressure on beleaguered boss Jesse Marsch.

The Fulham head coach was delighted with his side's reaction to falling behind after Rodrigo's far post header and described the fightback that saw the Londoners win 3-2 and move up to seventh in the Premier League table as unbelievable.

    Silva told his post-match press conference:

    "It was a great win for us. It was well deserved – over the 95 minutes, we were the best team on the pitch. We knew with our style, our quality and our philosophy that we would create chances.

    To come back like we did is unbelievable from our players and they deserve all the credit. We believed in believed in ourselves, created a lot of chances and I think deserved the three points."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/10/silva-a-great-win/

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Fulham Women fightback to reach FA Cup first round
Fulham Women came back from 2-0 down to beat fourth tier Maidenhead United 3-2 and book their place in the first round proper of the Women's FA Cup at Motspur Park this afternoon.

The Whites got off to the worst possible start against higher division opposition when, after Becky Stormer headed agonisingly wide from Tia Foreman's fine corner, Maidenhead scored twice in two minutes just after the half hour mark. The hosts were handed a lifeline a minute before the break when a handball in the ball gave them a penalty. Tia Foreman scored at the second attempt to halve the deficit.

It took just eleven minutes into the second period for Fulham to level matters through a thumping header from Helen Ogle. The top scorer calmly slotted her second of the afternoon to put Steve Jaye's side ahead for the first time with seven minutes to play and the Whites survived a late spell of Maidenhead pressure – chiefly because Edie Kelly pulled off a stupendous double save – to seal a spot in Monday's first round draw.

23 teams from the third tier will join the competition with the ties scheduled to be played on Sunday 13 November. Fulham are back in league action at Dulwich Hamlet next Sunday in a 2.30pm kick off at Champion Hill.

FULHAM WOMEN: Kelly, Southgate, Stormer, Modak, Thomas, Mendes, Foreman, Lewis; Heasman, Ogle, Buchele. Subs: Cowan, Bird, Armstrong, Harris-Walters, Lambird.

GOALS: Foreman (44), Ogle (56, 82).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/10/fulham-women-fightback-to-reach-fa-cup-first-round/

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Decordova-Reid delighted with 'massive win'
Fulham's goalscoring hero Bobby Decordova-Reid described the Whites' come-from-behind win at Leeds United as 'massive'.

The Jamaican international, again deployed as a right back in the continued absence of Kenny Tete, popped up in the penalty area after the hosts failed to clear a corner and guided a lovely header home from Andreas Pereira's cross. Decordova-Reid told FFC TV after the final whistle at Elland Road:

"It's massive. I think it is a good week for us, even including the Bournemouth game, with seven points. I think the lads deserve it. We've worked hard, especially coming here – it's a tough place. They started off well with a lot of energy, we nullified it, reacted well to go 1-0 down and I thought we deserved the win."

Decordova-Reid admitted that Leeds began brightly and made life difficult for him, but he was pleased with the way that Fulham coped with their period of adversity.

"It was tough. I got caught on it a couple of times. It was high energy. We weathered the storm, reacted well after they scored the first goal. I think we really grew into the game. We had a couple of opportunities with Reedy and Andreas that we probably should have taken, but we carried on creating chances and – like I said – we deserved the win."

He was delighted with the clever header that ultimately ended securing the victory that lifts the Whites into seventh place.

"I enjoy being in the box. It was a great ball by AP – I just knew I needed to get a feint touch on it, whether it goes it or someone taps it in at the back post, I needed to get it in a certain area and thankfully I did so. I've enjoyed [scoring] a few goals here. It is always nice to get the win as well. The lads are buzzing. It was an enjoyable one, a tough one, but we're all happy with the three points."

Asked if he is relishing his new role as a right back, the utility man offered a revealing insight into the spirit within Marco Silva's squad.

"I'm enjoying being on the pitch first and foremost. I'm playing with this group of players, whoever we are playing at the moment, we're all together. Even the players who are on the bench, you can always hear them cheering us on – and winning games is always important. I'm happy to do a job wherever the team needs me."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/10/decordova-reid-delighted-with-massive-win/

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Gabby Agbonlahor predicts Leeds United to get relegated after Fulham defeat

Gabby Agbonlahor has shared on Twitter that he predicts Leeds United to get relegated this season, along with Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Both Leeds and Wolves faced defeats this weekend, with the former suffering a 3-2 loss at Elland Road on Sunday.

The Whites haven't won a Premier League game since August, and Jesse Marsch is facing an uncertain future at the club.

TalkSPORT's Twitter handle asked the question which three teams are likely to go down this season, to which the former Villa striker replied: "Wolves, Leeds, (and) Forest".

Steps away

The Whites have joined Wolves in the relegation zone and it's becoming serious now.

Marsch received a lot of sticks from the home fans after the game. When the home fans start to lose faith in the manager, usually it becomes difficult to win them over.

The fans were also unhappy with the Leeds board, thus there are problems both on and off the pitch.

Marsch is confident that he has the backing of the owners, but if the results do not improve, it will be impossible for him to keep the job.

Leeds should be winning these games at Elland Road, but they are failing in every department. Marsch's team selection has come under scrutiny once again.

Both Leeds and Wolves are going through a similar crisis. The Whites have a tough run of fixtures coming up, and it's really hard to see how Marsch can keep his job.

The Whites face Liverpool next, but it's the home game against Bournemouth that could seal his future.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/gabby-agbonlahor-predicts-leeds-united-to-get-relegated-after-fulham-defeat/