Monday Fulham Stuff - 13/03/23...

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Results

Sunday
Fulham	0-3	Arsenal
Man Utd	0-0	Southampton
West Ham	1-1	Villa
Newcastle	2-1	Wolves

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Fulham 0-3 Arsenal

Gabriel Martinelli scored his 12th league goal of the season in Arsenal's win at Fulham

Arsenal restored their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League in outstanding fashion with a ruthless victory at Fulham.

Mikel Arteta's side responded to Manchester City's narrow victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday night by wrapping up this win by half-time as they opened up a 3-0 lead with a devastating attacking display.

Gabriel Martinelli had already had a goal narrowly ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), before defender Gabriel headed in Leandro Trossard's corner after 21 minutes - the first of a trio of assists for the Belgian.

Trossard then crossed for Martinelli to beat the static Antonee Robinson to head home at the far post five minutes later, before providing the delivery for captain Martin Odegaard's cool finish in first-half stoppage time.

Fulham mounted a belated threat after the break as visiting keeper Aaron Ramsdale denied Bobby de Cordova-Reid, while Tosin Adarabioyo headed against the woodwork.

Arsenal, however, were always in control and Arteta was able to re-introduce influential striker Gabriel Jesus for the first time since he required knee surgery after being injured playing for Brazil against Cameroon at the World Cup for a 13-minute cameo.

Trossard stands out as Gunners pass another test
This had all the hallmarks of a hazardous fixture for Arsenal given Fulham's impressive campaign and the pressure on after Manchester City reduced their lead to two points.

But, once again, the steel, character and skill that has characterised their season was on show.

The £21m capture of Trossard from Brighton in January looks increasingly shrewd by the week and he ran riot down Fulham's right flank, taking on the role of creator-in-chief before being substituted to a standing ovation in the closing stages.

Arsenal have been presented with examinations of different types on a regular basis in this impressive attempt to win a first title since 2004 - and they passed this one with flying colours.

The Gunners dug deep to come from two goals down to beat Bournemouth in the 97th minute in last weekend's game at Emirates Stadium, while here they stamped their authority all over a lacklustre Fulham from the first whistle.

Manchester City had asked the question by winning at Selhurst Park. Arsenal provided the answer at Craven Cottage with their fifth successive Premier League win.

Fulham in danger of fading
Marco Silva's Fulham have been an outstanding addition to the top flight this season - a surprise package given they were rated as relegation favourites by many.

Here, however, they were well short of the standards they have set and this comprehensive defeat capped a disappointing week after losing the west London derby at Brentford on Monday.

There were mitigating circumstances with two of their most influential performers missing, Willian ruled out with a back muscle injury and Joao Palhinha suspended. The goals have also dried up for main marksman Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has 11 this season, but last scored in January.

After a below-par display, Fulham only came to life after the break when the game was effectively over.

Currently in eighth place, they have done so well to put themselves in contention for European football next season.

Silva's main task now is to ensure the conclusion to this campaign does not drift away into anti-climax.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64852078

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Post-Arsenal Press Conference

Marco Silva was not happy with what he saw in the first half at Craven Cottage, as goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard before the break settled our fixture against Arsenal.

"Clearly Arsenal deserved the three points," Silva said. "First half, we were on the pitch, but in some moments looked like we weren't.

"Too soft, not brave enough, completely not aggressive off the ball, let them play in the way they wanted, and we didn't disturb them as much as we should have done.

"We were soft for all the goals, we were soft in all the first half. First goal, how they scored, the second goal, how they scored, and even the third after the throw-in for us was completely our fault.

"It's difficult to understand. Of course, we're going to analyse and we have to understand, and for sure the players are going to understand, because they don't have another solution, they are going to understand for sure.

"After last Monday night, we analysed and we were expecting something completely different. Unfortunately for us, first half was even worse than Monday against Brentford."

Fulham were much improved after the restart, with only the crossbar and good saves from Aaron Ramsdale preventing us from reducing the deficit.

Asked what the message to his players was at half-time, Silva replied: "The first thing that I said was we have to wake up, because if you don't wake up it will be even worse in the second half, because what we did first half is really clearly under our standards and what we should do.

"Second half was slightly different, even if we were already losing 3-0 – more threat in our attack, we created more chances, we were more brave, more aggressive in some moments. At least we expressed ourselves more on the pitch second half."

Former Gunners winger Willian missed the contest, with Silva shedding some light on his absence post-match.

"Willian had a tough week," he explained. "Last game he felt his hamstring a bit, but nothing really serious. We assessed him during the week, and the last two days he felt something in his back.

"He was supposed to start the game this afternoon but he felt pain in his back. We tried, he was with us until the last minute, but we decided he was not in a position to start."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/march/12/post-arsenal-press-conference/

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Manchester United register interest in Joao Palhinha who's also being tracked by Arsenal and Chelsea

Manchester United are aiming to snap up Joao Palhinha in the upcoming transfer window, according to The Sun.

Erik ten Hag's men are one of six clubs keen on the midfielder alongside Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

United were previously keen on landing Palhinha during his time in Portuguese football, with the Red Devils believed to have sent scouts to watch him on several occasions.

Since moving to west London last summer, Palhinha has been a standout performer for Fulham and could soon be on the move away.

However, Fulham manager Marco Silva has claimed that Palhinha is happy with the club in a recent interview with The Athletic earlier this month.

"He [Palhinha] is happy here," Silva said.

"It is the same with players and managers – it is impossible to control what people write.

"Whether it is managers or players are linked with clubs, or if there is interest.

"To be honest, it is something that we don't lose time thinking about these situations and with Joao, it is the same."

The 27-year-old is entering his prime and should command a sizeable fee next summer.

A real force in the centre of the park, Palhinha has completed more tackles (101) and won more duels (191) than any other midfielder in the top tier of English football this season.

However, his combative nature often sees him get booked as shown by his ten yellow cards for which he is now serving a two-game suspension.

In last November's meeting between Fulham and Man United at Craven Cottage, Palhinha completed nine tackles – the most of any player in a single Premier League game this term.

With United and Fulham set to face off in the quarter-final of the FA Cup next Sunday, Palhinha will be looking to serve up another reminder of his quality.



https://manutdnews.com/manchester-united-register-interest-in-joao-palhinha/

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Premier League leaders Arsenal cruise to win over Fulham

London — Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday and carved out a small slice of top-flight history in the process.

Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and captain Martin Odegaard all scored in the first half as the Gunners became the first team to win five consecutive away London derbies without conceding a goal.

Leandro Trossard provided a trio of assists as Mikel Arteta's side took advantage of Fulham's porous defence at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva's Fulham, who had lost only once in their previous seven home games in all competitions, are eighth in the league.

Gabriel, who also netted his debut goal against Fulham in 2020, put Arsenal on the scoreboard in the 21st minute with a header from inside a crowded six-yard box off Trossard's corner kick.

Trossard teed up Martinelli in the 26th minute when his arching cross dropped at the far post for an easy header, the Brazilian's 12th goal of the season. Only four Premier League players have scored more. Seconds before halftime, Odegaard took two touches to control Trossard's cross before smashing the ball past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Brazilian Gabriel Jesus earned a roar from Gunners fans when he entered the game in the 77th minute, his first action since a knee injury suffered at the World Cup in November. Jesus nearly scored in the 85th, but his shot from close range went straight to the goalkeeper.

Manchester United endured a frustrating afternoon with a 0-0 draw against bottom-placed Southampton marked by the expulsion of midfielder Casemiro. The Brazilian was sent off in the 34th minute for a high boot against Carlos Alcaraz, giving confidence to the visitors in an entertaining game with great chances at both ends.

Captain Bruno Fernandes came closest for United in the second half with a low shot off the post, while prolific striker Marcus Rashford saw a shot well saved in a one-on-one with Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in the first period.

Southampton missed a string of chances, with Theo Walcott seeing a point-blank header and curling shot both brilliantly saved by David de Gea, while Kyle Walker-Peters hit the post and James Ward-Prowse saw a couple of free kicks go close.

The result was not what Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wanted after last week's 7-0 drubbing by Liverpool in the league, and was a disappointing follow-up to the scintillating 4-1 Europa League win over Real Betis in midweek.

A point each left Manchester United third in the league on 50 points, 16 behind leaders Arsenal, while Southampton stayed bottom on 22, two points off safety in a packed fight against relegation to the Championship.

Reuters



https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/sport/soccer/2023-03-12-premier-league-leaders-arsenal-cruise-to-win-over-fulham/

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Alan Shearer questions Arsenal opener vs Fulham as Ian Wright slams 'weak' Bernd Leno


Ben White appeared to blocking the ex-Arsenal keeper (Pictures: AFP / PLP)

Alan Shearer believes Arsenal's opening goal against Fulham could have been disallowed after Ben White blocked off Bernd Leno, though Ian Wright feels the ex-Gunners goalkeeper was just too 'weak'.

The table-topping north Londoners restored their five-point lead at the Premier League summit after a 3-0 win at Craven Cottage on Sunday, with Leandro Trossard setting up each of Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard's first-half goals.

However, Shearer felt the opener – which saw Trossard whip in a perfect delivery for centre-back Gabriel to nod home – might have involved a little foul play from White.

'It wouldn't have surprised me [if it had been ruled out] because Ben White is actually blocking the goalkeeper,' said the legendary striker on Premier League Productions.

'By the time he actually unblocks him it's too late for the keeper to make a decision whether he's going to come or not.

'The ball is already in the air, it's practically in the six-yard box. He might not have come for it, or he may have, but that option was taken away from him because of the blocking there.

'It's a good ball in, it's a good header, but he is blocking him right up to the very last second, Ben White, so it wouldn't have surprised me [if it was ruled out].

'Having said that, it wouldn't have changed anything today because Arsenal were much better than them.'

Ian Wright conceded that Arsenal may have been a little fortunate that the incident was not spotted, though he has always felt Leno is vulnerable to crosses into the box and it was something the Gunners clearly preyed on.

Asked if Shearer had a point, Wright replied: 'Well yeah. But at the same time I think it's because they know Bernd Leno.

'They've probably trained with him a lot and know what he's about in terms of coming for crosses. I always thought that he was pretty weak with crosses.

'And even getting blocked in by Ben White, who's not actually really physically holding him. He's just kind of in the way. He could just move him out the way. You [eventually] see him move him, but he should have done that ages before.

'He should not have let him get in front because if he does that the referee would see that there's interference and he probably would have maybe given a foul.

'We've seen how easily they do give fouls against goalkeepers. But I think with Bernd Leno that's his main weakness, he doesn't want to come into that area. I think Ben White used his experience in that respect.'



https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/12/alan-shearer-questions-arsenal-goal-as-ian-wright-slams-weak-bernd-leno-18427641/?ito=newsnow-feed

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Wright explains value of Arteta tactics in key moment Arsenal got away with against Fulham

Alan Shearer reckons Arsenal got away with one in their win over Fulham on Sunday, and Ian Wright explained how Mikel Arteta's tactical nous paid dividends.

The Gunners went five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Gabriel Magalhaes gave Arteta's side the lead, before Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard put the result beyond doubt, but both Shearer and Wright believe Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno was impeded by Ben White.

"I think there is an argument to protect the goalkeeper here," said Shearer. "Leno can't come for that ball because Ben White is blocking him.

"By the time, Ben White has stopped blocking him, the ball is actually in the six-yard box, so he has made his mind up. He still can't come. By the time Ben White leaves him, he can't punch for the ball. Leno is forced into that position he can't come to it because he is being blocked there."

Leno was Arsenal's No.1 before he was usurped by Aaron Ramsdale, and moved to Fulham as a result in the summer.

And Wright believes Arteta's prior knowledge of Leno, and his lack of ability to collect crosses, was key to the tactic used by Arsenal.

Wright responded: "What you also have to understand is how much they know Bernd Leno. I think it's one of his weaknesses for Arsenal was not coming (for crosses). He has kind of impeded him there. I can't lie.

"But they know, once the ball is in a good area, then he's not coming any further than that. They have used their knowledge of Leno very well. Ben White isn't holding him. He is impeding him – we saw this so many times at Arsenal, he doesn't come."

Leandro Trossard was the star of the show for Arsenal, assisting all three first half goals, and Shearer was impressed by the "chaos" he caused.

"He's (Trossard) causing chaos down the left-hand side, in fact, Arsenal are causing chaos all over the pitch," said Shearer.



https://www.football365.com/news/wright-explains-value-arteta-tactics-one-arsenal-got-away-with-fulham

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Arsenal among clubs eyeing move for Fulham star Joao Palhinha

Arsenal may be looking to add insult to injury upon Fulham following their win on Sunday, with The Sun reporting that the Gunners are one of the sides eyeing Joao Palhinha this summer.

Palhinha has been a revelation in the Premier League following his £17 million switch in the summer. No player in the league has won more tackles than the 27-year-old. He is actually 13 clear of anyone else in the division, according to FBRef.

He has helped Marco Silva's men enjoy an amazing first year back at English football's top table. But it would appear that the Cottagers will face a battle to keep him for a second year.

Arsenal eyeing Joao Palhinha
According to The Sun, a host of sides want to sign Palhinha. And Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are amongst them.

The report suggests that Fulham will now want over £40 million for the midfielder. But on current evidence, that could be a potential bargain for one of his admirers.

Arsenal got an insight into how important Palhinha is to the current Fulham side on Sunday. He was suspended for the clash. And that surely contributed as the Gunners strolled to a 3-0 win at Craven Cottage.

Mikel Arteta's men definitely need to strengthen in the middle of the park this summer. Whether they win the league title or not, they are almost definitely going to be back in the Champions League next year.

Jorginho has been a good signing so far. But he is not the most obvious replacement for Thomas Partey.

Palhinha is more of a disrupter. But he also has some 'excellent' technical ability. He has scored four goals in all competitions this term.

He is not necessarily a marquee target given some of the other names and fees being mentioned in recent weeks. But there is no question that this season shows that he could be an outstanding signing for Arsenal.



https://tbrfootball.com/arsenal-among-clubs-eyeing-move-for-fulham-star-joao-palhinha/

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Liverpool seriously interested in signing surprise £60m Premier League midfielder

Liverpool are said to be seriously interested in Fulham's Joao Palhinha ahead of the summer transfer window as the Reds look to add midfielders to their squad.

The middle of the park has been a problem area for Jurgen Klopp this season and they are expected to move for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham to help fix it, but the England international will not be the only one that comes through the door at Anfield.

Names such as Mason Mount, Moises Caicedo and Matheus Nunes have all been linked to the Reds ahead of the upcoming window but according to the Daily Mail, Palhinha is a star Liverpool are seriously pursuing.

Palhinha has been brilliant for Fulham since joining in the summer from Sporting CP for £20m and already the 27-year-old's value has jumped to £60m, reports the Daily Mail.

The midfield star still has over four years left to run on his current deal with Fulham, so they are under no pressure to entertain losing him, but Liverpool are circling and are the Portuguese player's most serious suitor.

Fulham are said to be confident that they can keep Palhinha for at least one more year but could the Reds tempt them with a big offer over the summer as they look for a partner for their number one target Jude Bellingham?



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/03/12/liverpool-seriously-interested-in-signing-surprise-60m-premier-league-midfielder/

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Gunners glide past flat Fulham
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal cruised to a comfortable win at Craven Cottage this afternoon to underline their title credentials, but the concern for Marco Silva – whose Fulham side have scaled unimaginable heights in a superb first term back amongst the top flight – will be that this was a second showing in a row that lacked the tenacity that has characterised their stellar season. Fulham looked leggy and never recovered from the shock of conceding two goals in eleven minutes after the league leaders had raced out of the blocks.

The hosts looked ponderous and passive without Joao Palhinha patrolling between a stretched defence and a flat forward line and Silva's faith in playing out from the back looked misplaced with Tosin Adarabioyo, who replaced Issa Diop at the heart of the back four, regularly passing to black shirts. They were fortunate not to go a goal between when the video assistant referee adjudged Gabriel Martinelli offside before his cross was turned into the Fulham goal by Antonee Robinson, but the reprieve didn't last long.

In a move that reprised the way the Gunners won a far tighter reverse fixture at the Emirates in August, Gabriel Magalhaes headed in an inswinging corner from terrific Leandro Trossard whilst Ben White blocked off Bernd Leno. David Coote gave the goal, just as the Brazilian's late winner at Ashburton Grove was allowed to stand after Arsenal's former number one was targeted at a set play. The sense of injustice hardly fired Fulham here – and the visitors underlined their superiority with a splendid second on the break.

The breathtaking Bukayo Saka was brave enough to take Fulham tacklers on in his own final third and a raking ball from William Salaba released Trossard down the left. The former Brighton winger beat Kenny Tete too easily and hung up a cross that Antonee Robinson failed to get off the ground to contest, allowing Martinelli to head past a despairing Leno. Fulham couldn't seem to get control of the ball and, even when Aaron Ramsdale, gifted Andreas Pereira the ball into the penalty area the Brazilian blazed wastefully off target with Aleksandar Mitrovic unmarked in the middle.

It got worse for the Whites in stoppage time. Tete conceded possession from a Fulham throw in and Trossard lifted another ball to the back post where Robinson was found wanting again as Martin Ødegaard stepped away from the American full back to end the match as a contest. Silva admitted afterwards that he laid into his team at half time but their deficit should have been worse after Granit Xhaka, Trossard and Martinelli spurned presentable chances to extend Arsenal's lead.

Fulham were far better after the interval, but the game was very obviously beyond them. Ramsdale parried a powerful drive from Bobby Decordova-Reid, who had replaced the injured Willian, and then made another smart stop to thwart Adarabioyo before Mitrovic – without a goal in nine games now – rattled the crossbar from a corner. The hosts did very well to keep to three, although Arteta's eye-catching outfit nearly found another goal late on as Tete slid in to block a Martinelli shot before Martnelli saw a strike dealt with by the German's goalkeeper feet.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Reed, Lukic; Decordova-Reid, Solomon (James 76), Pereira (Willian 76); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Rodak, Wickens, Diop, C. Richardson, Francois, Harris, Vinicius.

ARSENAL (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White (Tomayasi 80), Zinchenko (Tierney 72), Saliba, Gabriel; Xhaka, Parety, Odegaard; Saka

(Nelson 72) Martinelli (Gabriel Jesus 77), Trossard (Vieira 72(. Subs (not used): Turner, Holding, Jorginho, Smith-Rowe.

BOOKED: Ødegaard.

GOALS: Gabriel (16), Martinelli (26), Ødegaard (45+1).

REFEREE: David Coote (Northamptonshire)

ATTENDANCE: 24,426



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/03/gunners-glide-past-flat-fulham/

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Seething Silva slams 'soft' Fulham
An angry Marco Silva condemned Fulham's lack of fight as the Whites shipped three first half goals to lose a second London derby in the space of six days to league leaders Arsenal at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The Gunners dominated from the outset and raced into an unassailable lead before the break through goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martenelli and Martin Odegaard. The Portuguese head coach told his post-match press conference that he was shocked by Fulham's lack of desire after a similarly sluggish start at Brentford on Monday night:

    "Clearly, Arsenal deserved the three points. [In the] first half, we were on the pitch, but in some moments looked like we weren't. Too soft, not brave enough, completely not aggressive off the ball, let them play in the way they wanted, and we didn't disturb them as much as we should have done.

    We were soft for all the goals, we were soft in all the first half. First goal, how they scored, the second goal, how they scored, and even the third after the throw-in for us was completely our fault. It's difficult to understand. Of course, we're going to analyse and we have to understand, and for sure the players are going to understand, because they don't have another solution, they are going to understand for sure.

    After last Monday night, we analysed and we were expecting something completely different. Unfortunately for us, first half was even worse than Monday against Brentford. The first thing that I said [at half time] was we have to wake up, because if you don't wake up it will be even worse in the second half, because what we did first half is really clearly under our standards and what we should do.

    [The] second half was slightly different, even if we were already losing 3-0 – more threat in our attack, we created more chances, we were more brave, more aggressive in some moments. At least we expressed ourselves more on the pitch second half.

Silva explained that Fulham were forced into a late change to their starting line-up with Bobby Decordova-Reid coming in to replace Willian, after the former Arsenal winger reported back pain in the minutes before the teamsheet was due to be handed in.

    "Willian had a tough week. [In the] last game he felt his hamstring a bit, but nothing really serious. We assessed him during the week, and the last two days he felt something in his back. He was supposed to start the game this afternoon but he felt pain in his back. We tried, he was with us until the last minute, but we decided he was not in a position to start."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/03/seething-silva-slams-soft-fulham/

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Liverpool leading race for 'imposing' midfielder, half Jude Bellingham price

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are interested in signing Joao Palhinha from Fulham in the summer transfer window, according to The Daily Mail.

Liverpool leading race for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha
The report has claimed that Liverpool are leading the race for Palhinha and are "the most serious suitor" for the 27-year-old Portugal international, who was described as "an imposing defensive midfielder" on Fulham's official website in July 2022.

Fulham signed the midfielder for £20 million from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2022 and now value him at £60 million, according to the report.

The Daily Mail have added that Liverpool's number one central midfield target is Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, but he will cost over £120 million.

So, it seems that Palhinha is a potential alternative to England international midfielder Bellingham for Liverpool.

Could a summer transfer happen?
In our view, Liverpool could be able to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham in the summer transfer window.

True, the Cottagers signed Palhinha just last summer, but Liverpool are a massive club who would be hugely attractive and appealing to the Portuguese star.

If Liverpool pay Fulham's asking price for the defensive midfielder, then we do not think that the London club will stop him from leaving for Anfield.

Palhinha has scored three goals in 24 Premier League appearances in the Premier League so far this season.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/03/13/liverpool-leading-race-for-imposing-midfielder-half-jude-bellingham-price/

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West Ham United job may be available as Fulham face fight to keep Marco Silva

West Ham United are among many clubs who could be looking for a new manager this summer with Fulham now facing a fight to keep hold of Marco Silva, according to the Daily Mail.

The newspaper has reported in its print edition [13 March, pg. 3, The Verdict], that the Irons are among a long list of clubs who could be in the market for a new manager, including Spurs and Chelsea.

David Moyes retains the backing of David Sullivan and the board right now, but Fulham are eager to tie Silva down to a new deal to avoid any possibility of the vultures circling.



"Fulham are eager to tie head coach Marco Silva down to a new contract," they wrote.

"The managerial market is set to be as intriguing as the player window ahead of next season. The top jobs at Brighton, Chelsea, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Leicester, West Ham, Leeds and Southampton could all conceivably be available."

Fight is on.
So, Moyes will know more than most that his job is up for grabs right now, and he will be planning to make sure he is still the best man for the role.

He may believe that, but he is running out of fan support very quickly at the London Stadium, especially with this extremely tiring relegation battle that the club somehow finds themselves in.

After qualifying for Europe in consecutive seasons now, this fall from grace has been irritating, to say the least after a summer of huge spending delivered some big-name transfers.

Silva has been a breath of fresh air compared down the river Thames, pushing Fulham to their own European fight despite that 3-0 loss against Arsenal last time out.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the summer across the Premier League, with so many clubs potentially looking for new men in charge.

The time for change is here, will West Ham United be involved?



https://www.westhamzone.com/news/west-ham-united-job-may-be-available-as-fulham-face-fight-to-keep-marco-silva/

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Leeds United job could be available with Fulham eager to keep Marco Silva at Craven Cottage

Fulham are facing a fight to keep hold of Marco Silva at Craven Cottage with Leeds United one of many jobs that could be available in the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The newspaper has reported in its print edition [13 March, pg. 3, The Verdict] that the Cottagers are eager to tie the Portuguese man down to a new contract in the capital.

Leeds are not the only club that could be looking for a new manager though in the summer, with Brighton, Spurs and West Ham among many more who could be in the market.

Writing in their latest edition after Arsenal waltzed to three points over their London rivals, eagle-eyed fans will have noticed the Whites mentioned in this manager merry-go-round.

"Fulham are eager to tie head coach Marco Silva down to a new contract," they wrote.

"The managerial market is set to be as intriguing as the player window ahead of next season. The top jobs at Brighton, Chelsea, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Leicester, West Ham, Leeds and Southampton could all conceivably be available."

Strange.
Javi Gracia may have something to say about this.

But even with that, the reaction from the Elland Road crowd during the 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday 11 March possibly proves they would be happy to move on and cut ties.

The Spaniard has come in as nothing short of a firefighter in West Yorkshire, trying to make the Whites more solid at the back – something that has seen the pressing cut down.

Leeds fans were certainly not happy with those tactics, despite them working, proving that Gracia moving on may be perceived well in LS11, even if he keeps the club in the Premier League.

Would Silva consider a move away from the capital and Fulham? Should they qualify for Europe, it would be near impossible, but weirder things have happened in football.

Andrea Radrizzani and the board need to let the squad and Gracia get on with things right now, with the summer and managerial changes not relevant until we get out of this mess.

All eyes are on Elland Road, yet again.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/leeds-united-job-could-be-available-with-fulham-eager-to-keep-marco-silva-at-craven-cottage/

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Why Craven Cottage remains one of football tourism's favourite haunts
Supporters of most Premier League clubs were glad to see Fulham promoted last season. It give fans the chance to experience again the top flight's most picturesque ground

Arsenal's fans enjoyed their trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday. They usually do, having seen their side win there on its last five visits, scoring 15 times. But they are by no means the only ones.

Supporters of most Premier League clubs were glad to see Fulham promoted last season, and not because they fancied three easy points – most have been disappointed if they did, this result notwithstanding.

No, the reason was the chance to experience again one of football's best days out at the top flight's most picturesque ground.

And the good news for neutrals is that you can get tickets at The Cottage to watch some Premier League matches without joining the far end of a long waiting list to become a club member or mortgaging your house. With a smaller fan base than the capital's big four, Fulham are a favourite venue for football tourists.

In fact, their website offers a handy guide for first-timers and makes great play of the group offers for tickets – "whether you're heading to London and want to sample live football at London's original football club, a school or sports club on tour, business, local community group or simply a group of family and friends looking for something exciting to do."

Exciting? That depends on the match, of course. This encounter was effectively over well before half-time, but in any case, most would put charm ahead of excitement in their list of attractions of a day at the Cottage, and that begins a long time before reaching the turnstiles.

Although there are other routes to Fulham's riverside home through streets of astronomically-priced dwellings, the best way to get there is to arrive at Putney Bridge station on the District Line and walk through leafy Bishop's Park and along the bank of the Thames – very pleasant on a sunny day and still better than most under Sunday's cloudy skies.

On arrival the vista is almost as grand, with the Cottage itself and the red brick frontage of the Johnny Haynes stand on Stevenage Road – both Grade II listed – as a backdrop to the statue of local hero Haynes, Britain's first £100-per-week footballer.

Fulham are London's oldest club and the Haynes stand, designed by Scottish stadium pioneer Archibald Leitch in 1905, is part of the ground's glory, half museum piece and half block to any further development along the east side. Inside it is cramped by modern standards and on match days its concourse feels almost dangerously crowded for a mainly wooden structure.

The regulars who fill its seats are willing to take the risk. Casual visitors, though, will find themselves in the more functional Putney End behind the south goal, with the away fans to their left and the Cottage, which houses the teams' and officials' dressing rooms behind its ornate verandah, in the corner of the ground to their right.

From here, the unbalanced nature of the ground is apparent. The old low stand is dwarfed by the huge new Riverside Stand that has risen between pitch and Thames, which will be fully open next season, increasing the capacity to 25,000.

At one point, it seemed that this delightful day out might be denied to home, away and occasional fans alike. Developers have long cast envious eyes at the ground's prime location in one of London's wealthiest boroughs. When the team was forced to ground-share with QPR at Loftus Road to fulfil all-seater requirements after promotion to the Premier League in 2001, many feared they would never return to their traditional home, with then-chairman Mohamed Fayed looking for sites that offered a bigger capacity than the Cottage was thought able to accommodate.

But a temporary return to a hastily-converted ground in 2004 happily became permanent, and the Riverside Stand is a concrete and steel statement that present owner Shahid Khan sees the club's long-term future in London SW6.

Although plenty of big clubs have fallen at Fulham – including Juventus on a memorable night during the run to the Europa League final under Roy Hodgson in 2010 – the stadium will always feel more welcoming than intimidating, new stand or not.

Portentous semi-classical music such Bolero from Moulin Rouge and Escala's Palladio before kick-off represents an attempt of sorts to get the crowd worked up. But despite the occasional guttural roar of "Reeeeammm!" when Fulham's American captain Tim Ream does something competent, their fans will never be Millwall's. The first challenge on a visiting goalkeeper from Aleksandar Mitrovic is usually far more damaging to the opposition's confidence.

On Sunday there wasn't even one of those to get the home fans off their seats and all the noise was coming from Arsenal's travelling support. But they won't be the only ones looking forward to their next visit.



https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41091541.html

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool 'most serious suitor' for 'brilliant' Joao Palhinha

Jurgen Klopp isn't short of defensive-midfielders at Liverpool with Fabinho, Stefan Bajcetic, Naby Keïta and Arthur Melo at his disposal, but Sami Mokbel of Mail Online says the Reds are on the hunt for another addition to the engine room.

Liverpool are reportedly the 'most serious suitor' of Fulham's 'brilliant' midfielder Joao Palhinha, but the 27-year-old won't be easy to sign due to his lengthy contract at Craven Cottage and lofty asking price. Palhinha has four-and-a-half years remaining on his deal and could cost up to £60m, so Liverpool would have to stump up a lot of money to bring him to Anfield.

Fabinho has been a regular under Klopp this season, missing only two league games, but the same can't be said of his competition. Bajcetic has started just six league outings as he's young and inexperienced, so the 18-year-old academy graduate isn't ready to take on a bigger role.

Keïta has once again suffered injuries that have kept him out for most of the season. The 28-year-old has started just three league games due to a hamstring problem and muscle injury, so his future is uncertain. Keita's contract is up this summer too and Liverpool may not retain his services given his fitness woes.

Melo has made only one appearance for the Reds since joining on loan from Juventus last summer, having undergone surgery on a thigh problem back in October, so he's another player in need of replacing. Jordan Henderson can operate in the makeshift role, but Klopp needs a tried and tested option if he can't rely on the fitness of his existing midfielders.

Palhinha has made 28 appearances since joining Fulham from Sporting last summer, scoring four goals. The 27-year-old averages more tackles per game (4.2) than any other player in the league. He'd be first in Liverpool's squad for interceptions per game (1.4) too. Mokbel says Fulham are hoping to keep the talented Portuguese international for another season, so time will tell if any approach works over the summer.

Liverpool have more than one midfielder on their lists of targets too, so it remains to be seen who they lodge bids for.



https://football-talk.co.uk/180694/liverpool-most-serious-suitor-for-brilliant-joao-palhinha/

[WhiteJC]

Don't knock Fulham, Arsenal were simply too good...

Morning all.

The fans. In the tone of Craig Revel-Horwood – FAB-U-LOUS! Seriously, you'd have thought we were playing at The Emirates rather than Craven Cottage.

Mikel Arteta on if he would have been chanting with our away supporters...

    I would be singing with them to support the team, that's for sure! They've been exceptional, the amount of people that are coming here, their attitude, their passion and the energy that they're putting in is incredible. We're going to need that and that's a game-changer for us, so thank you.

On the pitch, Mikel Arteta's team were just as good. The first half was superb with only one team in the contest. Fulham are having a very good season but yesterday, certainly during the first 45 minutes, I don't think they knew what had hit them.

When the squad was announced, there was the surprise return of Leandro Trossard and the news we've all been waiting for, Gabriel Jesus was back in the squad.

Starting 11: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Trossard.

Subs: Turner, Tierney, Tomiyasu, Holding, Jorginho, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Jesus

After a bit of keep ball, Arsenal were in. An exchange of passes between Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka and our Brazilian winger was past his man and popping a shot at the Fulham goal. Leno saved it but his clearance hit Robinson and then the back of the net. Martinelli was rightly ruled offside.

Corner after corner followed, the third of which saw us go ahead. Leandro Trossard supplied the cross, Gabriel headed past Leno. Our second came soon after. Another header, another Gabriel but this time it was Martinelli. The goal started with William Saliba who played an outrageously good ball out from the back to Leandro Trossard. The Belgian crossed and Martinelli did the rest.

Then came a move which nearly, so very nearly, ended with a goal which would have been in contention for goal of the season in my opinion. Odegaard, Trossard and Xhaka were all involved – Odegaard to Xhaka, a dummy, then Trossard again with a ball to Xhaka and he looked certain to score but was so unlucky when his final touch was a tad heavy. Lucky for Leno, talking of which, our old keeper was called into action again, this time by Martinelli.

Just before half-time, Martin Odegaard made it 3-0. Leandro Trossard totted up a hat-trick of assists by setting up our captain. Talk about Mr Cool, one touch, two touch and then bang, Leno was beaten.

Fulham were better in the second half, or we dropped off a bit but it didn't matter as the hard work had already been done. More Arsenal goals would have boosted our goal difference but we're back in action on Thursday so perhaps a bit of energy preservation was going on.  Martinelli, Odegaard, Nelson and even Jesus late on had opportunities, the best perhaps falling to the latter. Now that would have been the perfect way to announce his return.

The best Fulham managed was a Mitrovic header which rattled the crossbar and a couple of shots which Aaron Ramsdale saved well.

    Mikel Arteta chalked up win number 100.
    Leandro Trossard made Premier League history by becoming the first player to record a hat-trick of assists in the first half of an away game.
    Arsenal won their fifth London Derby away from home without conceding a goal. No club has done that before.

All in all, it was a really good day for Arsenal as the women won their match later in the day too. Plus, Casemiro was sent off yet again so he'll miss Utd's next three matches and better still, his team dropped two points at home.

Two more fixtures for Mikel Arteta's team this week and then it's the international break.



https://highbury-house.com/dont-knock-fulham-arsenal-were-simply-too-good/

[WhiteJC]

Arsenal now monitoring £17m 'aggressive' midfielder, Newcastle too

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are competing with Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspur, Erik ten Hag's Manchester United and Eddie Howe's Newcastle United among other clubs for the signing of Joao Palhinha from Fulham in the summer transfer window, according to The Sun.

The report in the British tabloid has claimed that Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham all are monitoring Palhinha.

The Portugal international midfielder joined Fulham in the summer of 2022 for £17 million, but he is now valued at over £40 million, according to the report.

Fulham, who are doing well in the Premier League at the moment, do not want to sell the 27-year-old defensive midfielder, who is "aggressive" according to former Manchester United winger Nani in Antena1 in November 2020.

Could Arsenal or Newcastle United sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham?
In our view, Arsenal or Newcastle United could be able to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham in the summer transfer window.

Yes, Fulham do not want to sell him, but let's face it, if the Gunners or the Magpies bid for the midfielder, then it is unlikely that they will be able to keep him.

Arsenal could win the Premier League tile this season, while Newcastle could end up in the UEFA Champions League places.

A move to the Gunners or the Magpies could be hugely appealing to Palhinha.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/03/13/arsenal-now-monitoring-17m-aggressive-midfielder-newcastle-too/

[filham]

Interesting comments about Arsenal's first goal, at the time I thought Leno should have gone for that cross.. I had noticed in other games that he would not come too far out for crosses but that one was so close to the goal that it just had to be the keepers ball.

Being aware of Leno,s dislike for crosses and rough treatment Arsenal had obviously been rehearsing that situation on the training grounds. Be sure our future opponents will now be aware of this weakness  and will be trying the same thing.