Sunday Fulham Stuff - 09/04/23...

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Results

Saturday
Man Utd	2-0	Everton
Villa	2-0	Forest
Brentford	1-2	Newcastle
Fulham	0-1	West Ham
Leicester	0-1	Bournemouth
Spurs	2-1	Brighton
Wolves	1-0	Chelsea
Southampton	1-4	Man City

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Fulham 0-1 West Ham United

West Ham recorded their first away win since 28 August

Harrison Reed's own goal was enough to gift West Ham a vital away win in the Premier League against Fulham.

Jarrod Bowen picked up a loose ball in the area, skipped past his man and crossed from the byeline where the unfortunate Reed turned it into his own net.

Andreas Pereira was denied late on by Lukasz Fabianski as he tried to round the keeper in search of a Fulham equaliser.

West Ham's resolute defending saw them them record just their second away win of the season to move up to 13th, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Substitute Maxwel Cornet could have sealed the win in added time, pressuring Tim Ream into losing the ball but then taking on the shot instead of passing to Said Benrahma, who was in acres of space waiting to apply the finish.

Hammers show fight to bounce back
After being thrashed 5-1 by Newcastle in midweek, West Ham got back to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over London rivals Fulham.

Bowen's industry was right at the heart of the victory, his determination to reach a loose ball in the box before the home defence leading to the only goal of the game.

Midway through the second half he was causing problems again, threading a ball through for Danny Ings before the forward's shot was smothered by onrushing keeper Bernd Leno.

David Moyes was clearly expecting a reaction from his side and made five changes after their dismal defending against Newcastle - the most Premier League changes he's made this season.

Kurt Zouma was the only member of the backline who remained from the midweek game and he was instrumental in ending a run of 11 games without a clean sheet.

The centre-back had a chance to score his second goal in as many games only to head wide, but in the end West Ham only needed one goal and the three points relieves pressure in their relegation battle, and on manager Moyes.

Fulham falter again without Mitrovic
It was a frustrating afternoon for Marco Silva's side, who have now lost four consecutive league matches and sit 10th in the table.

Aleksander Mitrovic's absence, dbecause of an eight-game suspension, was keenly felt with Antonee Robinson and Cedric Soares among the players swinging crosses into the box without their top scorer to get on the end of them.

Fulham attempted 634 passes - their highest total in a single match in the Premier League this season - but did not particularly trouble Fabianski's goal.

Robinson had Fulham's best chance of the first half, with a shot outside the box which rose just over the bar.

Pereira shot straight at the away keeper while substitute Tom Cairney headed over as Fulham looked to apply pressure in the closing stages.

It was a familiar problem for Fulham, who have failed to win in their last seven league matches when conceding the first goal, and didn't look like doing so with their manager watching on from the stands for the first game of his two-match touchline ban.

Fulham travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League next Saturday, while West Ham host Arsenal the following day.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65145675

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Post-West Ham Press Conference

Marco Silva spoke of his frustration following Fulham's 1-0 loss to West Ham at Craven Cottage.

His side dominated with 77 per cent of possession, but weren't able to break down a stubborn Hammers outfit.

Silva said: "Yes, it was a frustrating afternoon for us to have almost 80% of possession. But just to have is not really what we want and is not important for us if you don't use that possession to create.

"Our first-half I think was so static from ourselves, not dynamic on the ball.

"We arrived with the ball in certain areas that we like, but after we didn't play with the dynamic to have shots on target, to create chances, and it was not really good enough."

The only Fulham player able to get their name on the scoresheet was Harrison Reed, whose own goal proved decisive in the contest.

"Of course, they scored with an own goal that should be disallowed because it's a clear handball from (Vladimír) Coufal in that moment, and it's difficult to understand, again, why the goal was not disallowed, and why VAR didn't check that moment."

Tom Cairney and Manor Solomon were introduced as half-time substitutes as Fulham piled the pressure on in the second 45.

"We tried to change to give more creativity with Tom Cairney in the middle area and of course with Manor (Solomon) to try to get in some more 1v1 situations, to be more unpredictable for them.

"Better second-half but not at the level we needed to play to create more chances. We had two or three dangerous moments, a big chance for Andreas to equalise the game, it's true, a good header from Tosin, but it was not enough for us to equalise."

Had Tosin's header found the back of the net, it would have marked a dream return to the side as he and Cédric Soares were recalled to the starting XI.

"We expected something from them: a low block, more players around their box. We tried, with Cédric, to be more dynamic in our right side - he's more offensive than Kenny (Tete) - to try to give more offensive situations with our triangle out wide.

"And with Tosin, we know what we expect from him. Of course, quality on the ball in the first build-up, to find the players between the lines. Tosin had a good game and did what we expected."

With nine games left of an impressive season, Fulham will be keen to put their losing run of four games to bed as the campaign winds down.

"Working hard is the only way that we can. We've had so many good performances this season so far in this way.

"Of course it's a moment for everyone to pop up and show the personality that you need at this level to take good decisions on the pitch in every single moment, even if you are not so confident like before."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/april/08/post-west-ham-press-conference/

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Transfer expert suggests Liverpool target who 'has everything' may be temped by Anfield move

Journalist Dean Jones has hinted that one reported Liverpool transfer target could be tempted by a potential move to Anfield.

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha has been linked with the Reds in recent weeks, and it's believed that the Merseyside club remain keen on him.

It was only nine months ago that the 27-year-old moved to Craven Cottage from Sporting Lisbon for £20m (Sky Sports), but it seems the prospect of him changing clubs again this summer can't be ruled out.

Writing for GIVEMESPORT, Jones said that Liverpool are 'in the picture' for the Portugal international, whose 'brilliant campaign in West London has caught the eye' on Merseyside.

The journalist added that Fulham could demand £50m for Palhinha's signature, with manager Marco Silva hoping the club's board hold firm if big-money offers come in for the player.

The reporter also said that 'the lure of Anfield and becoming a destroyer in the centre of the Liverpool midfield may prove tempting' for the 27-year-old.

It hasn't taken the Portuguese enforcer long to make his mark on the Premier League in his first season in England – as per WhoScored, his match average of 4.1 tackles is the best of any player in the division.

He also drew glowing praise from ex-Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov recently, with the Bulgarian saying (via Sportskeeda): "He's having a great season for Fulham and he's at that moment in his career, at the age of 27, where he can become even better.

"He has everything that a holding midfielder needs. He's not afraid of challenges, he can pass, he's great at spraying a diagonal ball and switching the play. He's also capable of scoring goals too."

Indeed, along with his aforementioned tackling ability, Palhinha can also make an impact in the final third, with three Premier League goals this season prior to today's action (WhoScored).

Harvey Elliott is the only Liverpool midfielder to have more than three goals in all competitions in 2022/23 (Transfermarkt), and unlike the 27-year-old, he typically plays in a more advanced role.

Uncompromising in the engine room and also able to make hay in the opponents' penalty area, the Portugal ace would appear to be an astute target.

However, if Fulham won't let him leave for less than £50m, it could come down to whether the Reds would have the budget to get a deal done amid their reported simultaneous pursuits of Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, James Maddison and others.



https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/04/08/palhinha-tempted-liverpool-dean-jones/

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Fulham 0-1 West Ham: David Moyes' side secure just their second Premier League win of the season away from home courtesy of a Harrison Reed own goal in vital victory to pull three points clear of the relegation zone

    An own goal from Harrison Reed gave the Hammers the lead after 23 minutes
    Action ramped up in the game's closing stages with both sides coming close
    Andreas Pereira was denied a late equaliser by great save from Lukasz Fabianski

For now, West Ham's co-chairman David Sullivan can keep those business cards of Brendan Rodgers, Graham Potter and whoever else in his back pocket. He doesn't need them yet.

That is because Harrison Reed's own goal bought David Moyes time here. West Ham took the lead after 23 minutes and then bunkered down to ensure they won the game they could not lose for their manager's sake.

Sullivan wasn't exactly inconspicuous about his presence at Craven Cottage, arriving at the front reception in his bright red Rolls Royce with a personalised registration plate that includes 'WHU'. Vice-chairman Karren Brady was likewise here, slightly less noticeable in her sunglasses.

The directors' box was located directly above the tunnel. As Moyes walked beneath his bosses at full-time, he looked up to see Brady shaking her fists in a frenzy. This felt like a significant result, West Ham's first away from home in the Premier League since August 28.

And yet, Moyes knows he has a way to go to win over West Ham's fans. They let their frustrations known here, singing 'you don't know what you're doing' when Danny Ings was replaced by Flynn Downes after an hour and holding up a 'Moyes out' banner at full time.
 

West Ham secured their first Premier League win on the road since August at Craven Cottage

They feel his tactics are too negative but Moyes defended his approach afterwards, saying: 'Two clean sheets in a week, two 1-0 victories in a week. We want to play a more expansive game. But when you are in this position in the league, there's a way you have to play.'

Fulham lost for the fifth consecutive time here. Whenever they struggled in the final third, the cameras zoomed in on Aleksandar Mitrovic, the suspended striker sitting in the stands.

When a cross found no one, we were shown Mitrovic. When a move broke down, Mitrovic. When an attempt was tame, Mitrovic. His presence was missed. As was that of his manager, Marco Silva, who was serving a touchline ban following last month's FA Cup meltdown at Manchester United.
 

Carlos Vinicius was booked after appearing to kick out at Kurt Zouma following a challenge

Silva was not happy with West Ham's winning goal, insisting Vladimir Coufal handled the ball in the build-up. 'It was a clear handball by Coufal,' Silva said.

'Two hands on the ball. Why VAR didn't check that moment, it's difficult for us to understand.'

On the morning of this big match, West Ham tweeted a photoshopped picture showing Lucas Paqueta, Emerson, Thilo Kehrer and Michail Antonio canoeing in the River Thames towards Craven Cottage – yes, really.

Cue responses of 'we're up s*** creek without a paddle' and 'we need someone who can walk on water to save us' and 'Moyes is the captain of the Titanic'.

Finally caving to the fans' wishes, Moyes used two up top in Antonio and Ings.

Until the game's only goal, the most interesting aspect was the amount of slippages. Players were slipping and sliding with Jarrod Bowen falling on his backside a few times.

Thankfully he managed to stay on his feet in the 23rd minute to help West Ham take the lead.

Declan Rice took a quick free-kick to spread play to Coufal on the right. Coufal's cross wasn't cleared properly by Tim Ream as the ball fell to Bowen.

With agile feet, he fired it back into the six-yard box where Reed accidentally bundled it into his own goal.

VAR Andre Marriner said the goal was good despite Coufal's apparent handball and West Ham led 1-0. 'How s*** must you be? We're winning away,' their supporters sang.

West Ham's deep-sitting defensive strategy encouraged the home side to take control.

Ten minutes into the second half, Fulham had managed more than 85 per cent possession. Yet one counter-attack from West Ham saw Ings denied a goal by the shoulder of Bernd Leno.

On the hour mark, Moyes replaced Pablo Fornals with Said Benrahma, a like-for-like switch. Yet when he sacrificed Ings for Downes, West Ham's fans were furious.


Lukasz Fabianski made a pair of vital saves to maintain the visitors' lead in the closing stages

Moyes may still have the West Ham board onside, but he is losing in the court of public opinion.

In the 83rd minute, there was a glorious chance for Fulham to level. Andreas Pereira collected a through-ball and tried to round Lukasz Fabianski. With no margin for error, West Ham's goalkeeper dived to get a hand to the ball and deny Pereira.

Maxwel Cornet should have made it a comfortable win by burying a stoppage-time one-on-one but Leno saved. Nevertheless, it finished 1-0 to West Ham and they flew to 13th, with Moyes set to the lead the team in the Europa Conference League's quarter-finals against Gent this Thursday.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11952447/Fulham-0-1-West-Ham-David-Moyes-secure-just-second-away-win-season.html

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Fulham 0-1 West Ham

Fulham fell to a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.

Despite enjoying much of the possession, it was a Harrison Reed own goal that saw the visitors take back the three points to East London.

Marco made three changes to the side that lost to Bournemouth last week, with Cédric, Tosin and Willian coming in for Kenny Tete, Issa Diop and Manor Solomon.

West Ham got the game under way and came flying out of the traps. Their spell of possession was ended however with referee Jarred Gillet blowing for a handball against the visitors in the penalty area.

Fulham had a spell of their own but struggled to create many chances in the opening 15 minutes, the most notable coming from Andreas Pereira, who collected the ball from a driving run, courtesy of Tosin, and fired a shot at goal but a deflection took it over the bar for a corner.

It was West Ham who took the lead though in the 22nd minute, when Jarrod Bowen cut the ball back into the box, ricocheting off the back heel of Harrison Reed and into the far corner of the net.

We weren't swayed by going a goal down however, as Fulham enjoyed most of the possession before in the 39th minute, Antonee Robinson let one fly at goal that went agonisingly just a whisker over the crossbar.

Despite finishing the first half with 78% possession, we were unable to get ourselves on the score sheet and went in a goal down at half-time.

Two substitutions were made at half-time, with Captain Tom Cairney and Manor Solomon entering the action in place of Reed and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

It was much the same at the start of the second half as it was in the first, with Fulham having all of the ball but struggling to test Lukasz Fabianski.

The visitors did forge a chance however through Bowen once more, who fed the ball into Danny Ings, before he attempted to chip Bernd Leno but our 'keeper was quick off his line to block the shot with his shoulder.

Andreas had back-to-back free-kicks delivered excellently into the danger zone but on both occasions, a Fulham head could not get onto the ball.

Kenny Tete's introduction only saw our crossing output increase and it was a nicely stood up ball that fell to Tom Cairney that led to our next opportunity but again, the attempt went just over the bar.

In the 86th minute, Tosin did well to break away from his marker at a corner to get a header on goal but it was straight at the hands of Fabianski.

Fulham were unable to trouble Fabianski again but Leno kept the score to just 1-0 when he saved Maxwel Cornet's one-on-one opportunity.

The referee blew for full-time, resulting in Fulham's fifth defeat in as many games.

Fulham FC: Leno, Cédric Soares (Tete 68'), Ream, Tosin, Antonee Robinson, João Palhinha, Reed (Cairney 45'), Andreas Pereira (James 85'), De Cordova-Reid (Solomon 45'), Willian (Wilson 85'), Carlos Vinícius

Subs: Cairney, Wilson, Rodák, Tete, James, Lukić, Diop, Solomon, Duffy

West Ham: Fabianski, Zouma, Coufal, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Bowen, Rice, Soucek, Fornals (Benrahma 60'), Ings (Downes 61'), Antonio (Cornet 90')

Subs: Lanzini, Emerson, Cornet, Benrahma, Kehrer, Aguerd, Downes, Johnson, Aréola



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/april/08/Fulham-0-1-West-Ham/

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Fulham's bad patch continues with defeat by Hammers

Fulham's recent downturn in form continued as Harrison Reed's first-half own goal gave West Ham the points, easing the pressure on their manager David Moyes.

The Whites, who have now lost five games in a row, enjoyed early territorial advantage against the relegation-threatened Hammers, but failed to carve out any clear-cut chances.

Marco Silva's side were suddenly caught on the counter-attack when West Ham scored with their first real opportunity.

Under pressure from Michail Antonio, Reed could only manage to turn the ball past his own keeper Bernd Leno from Jarrod Bowen's low cross from the right.

With the suspended Silva and striker striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, watching from the stand, the Whites laboured.

The only the only real moment of note for the hosts was a fine Antonee Robinson shot, which sailed inches over the crossbar in the 38th minute.
Fulham: Leno, Tosin, Soares (Tete 67), Robinson, Ream, Reed (Cairney 46), Palhinha, Willian (James 84), Pereira (Wilson 84), Decordova-Reid (Solomon 46), Vinicius



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/reeds-own-goal-consigns-fulham-to-defeat-against-hammers

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Own goal gives strugglers West Ham 1-0 win at Fulham

LONDON, April 8 (Reuters) - A first-half own goal gave West Ham United three vital points in the battle against relegation as they beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage in their Premier League clash on Saturday.

Having started the day among four clubs on 27 points, including third-bottom Bournemouth, the Hammers overcame Fulham's dominance in possession to secure a win that lifts them to 13th spot on 30 points.

West Ham and manager David Moyes, under pressure since a humiliating 5-1 home defeat by Newcastle United on Wednesday, took the lead when Jarrod Bowen's pull-back was steered into his own net by Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed in the 23rd minute.

Mid-table Fulham created a total of 16 efforts on goal, but only two on target as they failed to convert their possession into decent scoring opportunities, often settling for aimless crosses into the box that were easily dealt with.

They were not helped by the fact that their Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was sitting in the stands as he serves an eight-match ban for pushing the referee during their FA Cup tie with Manchester United last month.

West Ham continued to threaten from set pieces, with defender Kurt Zouma heading over from Aaron Cresswell's free kick in the 67th minute, while Declan Rice drove a free kick from a very tight angle that was deflected behind for a corner two minutes later.

Fulham's best chance came in the 83rd minute as Andreas Pereira attempted to go around West Ham's Lukasz Fabianski, but the goalkeeper got a touch on the ball to avert the danger.

Substitute Maxwel Cornet wasted a great chance to make it 2-0 in stoppage time for West Ham, firing straight at keeper Bernd Leno, but it made no difference as Moyes's side hung on for their first away win since August.

"A brilliant away performance, sometimes you have to play in a style when you're not in the best form and maybe not in the best position in the league, and we did a brilliant job at it," Moyes said in a post-match TV interview.

The West Ham boss acknowledged that his side had been under the cosh, but praised them for their character in a game where they spent long spells without the ball.

"We defended really well today, probably the best we've defended for a long time ... Fulham dominated a lot of the ball but I still felt that we always looked a bit of a threat on the break," Moyes said.



https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/own-goal-gives-strugglers-west-ham-1-0-win-fulham-2023-04-08/?rpc=401&;

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David Moyes fools nobody with cowardly tactics and woeful display during West Ham win over Fulham

West Ham were truly awful against Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon, despite David Moyes getting the vital win that he needed.

David Moyes took his West Ham team to west London to take on Fulham knowing that a defeat could spell the end of his time in charge at the London Stadium.

The football on display from the Hammers during the first-half was some of the worst I have witnessed as a West Ham fan since the Avram Grant era.

My word, that was painful today. Yes we won the match. But is that utter garbage that was served up today really what the West Ham fans have to accept for the foreseeable future?

That's not football in my eyes. The team selection and tactics were both evidence of Moyes's true cowardice. By playing two up top you would think that Moyes was actually being adventurous, but no. It was 10 men behind the ball and about as rigid as a block of cement.

That was quite simply not acceptable today...

David Moyes fools nobody with dire setup for West Ham against Fulham
22% possession inside the first-half and 24% by the time the full-time whistle went – not good enough, especially considering the quality of players that Moyes has at his disposal.

Moyes is a cowardly manager in my opinion. The reason that we give up so much possession is that the Scot is so insistent on setting up his team in an incredibly rigid formation, rather than have any of his players moving around and interchanging positions in a fluid manner.

The East London outfit earned a vital three points today, but it's clear as day that we aren't going anywhere with the 59-year-old in charge.

The Scot has a wonderfully talented group of players at his disposal at the London Stadium but he is wasting them with his archaic, cowardly tactics.

Im delighted that we won the game today. However, all it means it that we're in for more of this dire football for quite some time yet.

I'm struggling to remember a Premier League side that gave up possession as much as we did today. In fact I'm sure that there hasn't been one.

David Moyes must know that he's hanging on by a thread in his role as West Ham manager. The win today will keep him in a job for a little while longer, but he fooled nobody.



https://www.hammers.news/news/david-moyes-fools-nobody-with-cowardly-tactics-and-woeful-display-during-west-ham-win-over-fulham/

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Reed's own goal extends Fulham's winless run
If David Moyes' luck turned at Craven Cottage this afternoon, then Fulham's is definitely out. Harrison Reed's unfortunate first half own goal extended the Whites' winless run to five games whilst offering West Ham some breathing space in their battle against the drop. The home side huffed and puffed after their all action midfielder turned Jarrod Bowen's cross into his own net, having 77 per cent of the possession, but couldn't fashion an equaliser. Fulham, shorn of their talisman in Aleksandar Mitrovic and without Marco Silva prowling the touchline, looked toothless in the final third and eventually ran out of ideas – their fine first season back in the top flight appears to be running out of gas.

The points meant plenty to Moyes, who, despite earning the Hammers a valuable victory here, won't win any popularity contests in east London at present. This was a victory for dogged defending and a return to pluck pragmatism as the Scot responded to the midweek mauling at the hands of Newcastle by going back to basics in an old fashioned 4-4-2. The Hammers were content to frustrate Fulham's fluent football, soak up plenty of pressure and wait for opportunities that might arrive. Their goal was fortuitous – and not just because the luckless Reed provided the telling touch. Vladimir Coufal clearly handled the ball away from Antonee Robinson as the pair battled for possession in the Fulham left back position before Bowen burst towards the byline and Reed paid for doing what he does best: reading the danger.

To say the goal came against the run of play would be an understatement. Fulham hadn't fashioned a surfeit of chances, but they had been the more progressive side and probed patiently penning their opponents deep in their own half inside the first five minutes. Tosin Adarabioyo, preferred to former Hammer Issa Diop at the heart of the defence, carried the ball into West Ham territory and found Andreas Pereira but the Brazilian's snapshot was deflected over. The Whites had little problem in prising open the opposition defence but most of the ideal crossing opportunities fell to Cedric Soares, who didn't have his best game having been handed a rare start ahead of Kenny Tete.

A piledriver from Joao Palhinha was bravely blocked by Declan Rise before Robinson's own rasping effort from the left corner of the penalty area whistled just over the bar with a couple of minutes to before the break. Fulham made a couple of half-time changes with Tom Cairney replacing Reed and Manor Solomon introduced in place of Bobby Decordova-Reid. They attacked with gusto at the start of the second half but West Ham's defence stood firm with Angelo Ogbonna heading away countless crosses. For their approach play, the hosts could easily have gone two down when Bowen played in Danny Ings but Bernd Leno spread himself well to block the veteran striker's chip.

Palhinha and Cairney were beginning to find space to orchestrate Fulham's attacks from the middle of the park, but Moyes' solution drew the ire of the visiting fans. He sent on Said Benrahma and Flynn Downes for Pablo Fornals and Danny ings and the travelling support responded with a loud chorus of 'You don't what you are doing'. The substitutions, designed to stiffen the Hammers' midfield, only served to hand the hosts the initiative. White shirts flooded forward and chances began to arrive regularly. Adarabioyo climbed to meet a corner but headed straight at Lukas Fabianski, Cairney nodded one over the bar and, from Fulham's best move of the match, Cairney and Vinicius combined to put Pereira through on goal but the Brazilian opted to try rounding the goalkeeper instead of shooting first time – and the experienced Fabianski saved the day.

The visitors ground their way through four minutes of stoppage time but should have been much more comfortable after substitute Maxwel Cornet contrived to shoot straight at Leno after he had robbed Tim Ream of possession. Every Fulham fan would have bitten your hand off to be comfortable in tenth place on 39 points at Easter but, especially after the madness of that Manchester United meltdown, it still seems like something of a missed opportunity.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Cedric Soares (Tete 68), A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Palhinha, Reed (Cairney 45); Decordova-Reid (Solomon 45), Willian (Wilson 85), Pereira (James 85); Vinicius. Subs (not used): Rodak, Duffy, Diop, Lukic.

BOOKED: Vinicius.

WEST HAM UNITED (4-4-2): Fabianski; Coufal, Creswell, Zouma, Ogbonna; Rice, Soucek, Fornals (Benrahma 60), Bowen; Ings (Downes 61), Antonio (Cornet 90). Subs (not used): Areola, Johnson, Kehrer, Aguerd, Emerson, Lanzini.

BOOKED: Rice.

GOAL: Reed (o.g. 22).

REFEREE: Jarrod Gillett (Australia)

ATTENDANCE: 24,491



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/04/reeds-own-goal-extends-fulhams-winless-run/

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Liverpool battle Tottenham for Joao Palhinha
Liverpool are all set to battle it out with Tottenham Hotspur for the services of 27-year-old Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.

According to Dean Jones via GiveMeSport, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on having Joao Palhinha in their ranks. The 27-year-old midfielder has been on fire in the ongoing season. And, his performances haven't gone unnoticed.

Palhinha joined the Sporting CP youth academy back in the winter of 2013. He went up the ranks at the club and became an integral part of their first team. His consistent performances caught the eye of Fulham who signed him ahead of the ongoing season.

The 27-year-old joined the Cottagers for a fee of £17 million. The Portugal international penned down a five-year deal with the club. His contract runs until the summer of 2027.

However, the amount of interest in his services suggests that he could be on the move in the upcoming transfer window. The Fulham manager is keen on keeping hold of his star midfielder who has been one of the main reasons for their success in the ongoing season.

However, there are chances that one of the big clubs from across Europe could prise the 27-year-old away from the club. An amount of around £50 million could be enough to land him.

Liverpool who have been poor in the ongoing season will look for reinforcement in the summer. They are expected to sign multiple midfielders in the summer. Their main target is Jude Bellingham but they also have their eyes on the Fulham star.

Palhinha has it all to make an immediate impact at the Merseyside club. And, Jurgen Klopp will love to have him at his disposal. However, they will face competition from Tottenham. The London club have already started planning for the summer despite not being aware of who their next manager will be.

They want to upgrade their midfield as they look to end their trophy drought. And, has the 27-year-old as an important transfer target. Spurs believe Palhinha who has featured in 31 matches and has four goal contributions in the ongoing season could bolster their squad.

The Portugal international can help them have control in the centre of the park and push for glory next season. While both the English clubs are keen on having him in their ranks, it will be interesting to see if they can prise him away from the Cottagers.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/04/09/liverpool-battle-tottenham-for-joao-palhinha/

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Silva frustrated with Fulham's lack of creativity
Marco Silva was frustrated by Fulham's lack of creativity after watching the Whites fall to a fifth straight defeat against struggling West Ham United this afternoon.

The home side were beaten by Harrison Reed's own goal midway through the first half and Silva, watching on from the stands as he served the first of a two-match touchline ban having been sent off at Old Trafford last month, felt his side didn't do enough to break down the visitors.

    "Yes, it was a frustrating afternoon for us to have almost 80% of possession. But just to have is not really what we want and is not important for us if you don't use that possession to create. Our first-half I think was so static from ourselves, not dynamic on the ball. We arrived with the ball in certain areas that we like, but after we didn't play with the dynamic to have shots on target, to create chances, and it was not really good enough."

Silva was disappointed that West Ham's winner stood after Vladimir Coufal handled the ball past Antonee Robinson in the build up.

    "Of course, they scored with an own goal that should be disallowed because it's a clear handball from Coufal in that moment, and it's difficult to understand, again, why the goal was not disallowed, and why VAR didn't check that moment."

Fulham started the second half with a double change but were ultimately left disappointed following the final whistle.

    "We tried to change to give more creativity with Tom Cairney in the middle area and of course with Manor [Solomon] to try to get in some more one v one situations, to be more unpredictable for them. Better second-half but not at the level we needed to play to create more chances. We had two or three dangerous moments, a big chance for Andreas to equalise the game, it's true, a good header from Tosin, but it was not enough for us to equalise."

The Fulham head coach insisted that hard graft will be the only way the Whites can end their losing run – with a trip to Everton coming up next week.

    "Working hard is the only way that we can. We've had so many good performances this season so far in this way. Of course it's a moment for everyone to pop up and show the personality that you need at this level to take good decisions on the pitch in every single moment, even if you are not so confident like before."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/04/silva-frustrated-with-fulhams-lack-of-creativity/