Monday Fulham Stuff - 01/05/23...

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Results

Sunday
Bournemouth	4-1	Leeds
Fulham	1-2	Man City
Man Utd	1-0	Villa
Newcastle	3-1	Southampton
Liverpool	4-3	Spurs

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Fulham 1-4 Manchester City

Only Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002-03 (for Manchester United) has a better 100% record for penalties in a Premier League season (eight out of eight) than Haaland in 2022-23, who has scored all seven he has taken

Manchester City beat Fulham to return to the top of the Premier League as Erling Haaland scored his 50th goal of the season in all competitions.

Haaland converted a third-minute penalty, after Julian Alvarez had been fouled by Tim Ream, to become the first top-flight player to reach a half-century of goals in one campaign since Tom 'Pongo' Waring did so for Aston Villa in 1931.

The Norwegian striker also moved level for most goals in a Premier League season - matching the 34 goals Andy Cole scored for Newcastle in 1993-94 and the same amount Alan Shearer registered for Blackburn a year later.

However, Fulham grabbed a 15th-minute equaliser with their first attempt of the match as Carlos Vinicius powerfully shot past Ederson after Harry Wilson had headed the ball into his path.

But the hosts could not hang on to record what might have been a remarkable result.

Jack Grealish had an effort pushed on to the crossbar for Manchester City, who regained their lead in the 36th minute through Alvarez's superb strike from 25 yards out.

City's win moves them above - and one point clear of - Arsenal, with Pep Guardiola's side having a game in hand.

This is the first time City have been above Arsenal since mid-February as they aim to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble.

Relentless City hunt another league title
This was City's first match since the 4-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday, which left them in control of the title race as they aim to become English champions for the fifth time in six seasons.

They were without influential midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who Guardiola said "was not feeling good", while Bernardo Silva was on the bench and Riyad Mahrez and Alvarez were brought into the side.

Alvarez made an instant impact as he was fouled by Ream's clumsy trip to earn City a penalty, which Haaland scored for his 18th goal in his past 12 matches.

Argentine striker Alvarez, who helped his country win the World Cup in December, grabbed his eighth Premier League goal of the season with a superb strike to restore City's lead.

They had further chances as both Haaland and Alvarez were denied by smart low stops by Bernd Leno, with Fulham unable to grab an equaliser despite late pressure.

Guardiola's side, unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions and without a loss since 5 February, have six Premier League games left and need to win five of them to retain their title.

Their next matches are at home to struggling West Ham and Leeds on 3 and 6 May respectively, before the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid in Spain on 9 May.

Is Fulham's season running out of steam?
Fulham won the Championship last season and were sixth in mid-February, dreaming of qualifying for Europe, before a run of five losses in seven matches before this match at Craven Cottage ended those hopes.

Marco Silva's side are 10th and aiming for their first top-10 finish in the top flight since 2011-12. They were only behind for 12 minutes following Haaland's penalty, before Vinicius equalised against the run of play.


Carlos Vinicius scored his third goal in the Premier League this season

But the Cottagers ended up being beaten again as their season looks to be ending on a tame note.

Fulham were still without striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is serving an eight-match ban for pushing a referee in the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester United in March, with Willian also missing after he injured his hamstring in the warm-up before Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Aston Villa.

Silva's team suffered another injury blow after only 22 minutes as captain Ream went off with an arm injury, replaced by Issa Diop.

And there was a further setback for Fulham when midfielder Andreas Pereira had to be carried off on a stretcher in the second half following an accidental clash with City defender Manuel Akanji.

Vinicius had a chance to grab an equaliser in the middle of the second half but City goalkeeper Ederson recovered just in time as the striker tried to take the ball around his fellow Brazilian.

Fulham next play away to Liverpool on 3 May (20:00 BST).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65363995

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Marco's Post-City press conference

Marco Silva spoke to the press following his side's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

"The worst thing that happened to us this afternoon wasn't the result. It was the two serious injuries in both situations," started Marco.

"This is the worst thing that we take from this afternoon. Tim Ream probably won't play no more this season. He's broken his arm. Let's hope Andreas Pereira's isn't so serious.

"With Mitro and the injury to Willian, with a short squad like this, it's really tough to take."

Marco continued by offering a breakdown of how he saw the afternoon's game play out.

"We started in the worst way possible against a top side. We conceded a penalty straight away," he said.

"We were losing 1-0 but we showed the personality and the character to come back to balance and equalise the game in that moment.

"We had a clear plan for the game. We wanted to go through the centre of the pitch, with our wingers a little more inside.

"If you try to block certain areas, they will look to expose others. The players, they stuck to their plan and did it well.

"We obligate them in some moments in the match to come back as we know they are stronger when they build with three. We did it and we created some chances and caused them some problems."

Carlos Vinicius equalised the game with a fantastic strike but it wasn't enough on the day to secure all three points.

"The moment after we equalised the game was probably our best moment in the match," Marco expressed.

"We cannot concede the goal in the way we did it. A great strike from Alvarez, I know, but the way we build in certain areas we cannot lose the ball in that way and we gave them a chance in their counter-attack.

"In the second-half, we were really competitive again. We didn't create many chances, this is true, but we didn't give many things to them either.

"Some dangerous chances in both boxes but unfortunately we didn't equalise the game."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/april/30/marcos-post-city-press conference/

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USA and Fulham star Tim Ream is forced to exit clash against Man City in a makeshift sling after just 22 minutes in a potential blow to the Stars and Stripes ahead of this summer's Nations League and Gold Cup

    The defender landed awkwardly after a collision with City forward Julian Alvarez
    The USA played games in the Nations League and Gold Cup in June and July

USA international Tim Ream was forced out of Fulham's Premier League game against Manchester City with an apparent arm injury on Sunday,

The Fulham captain was removed from the game after just 22 minutes as he left the field with his right arm in a makeshift sling after sustaining what appeared to be a serious injury.

The American defender landed awkwardly after a collision with City forward Julian Alvarez.

Ream has excelled in the Premier League this season, establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the English top-flight.

Captaining Marco Silva's Fulham team, the 35-year-old has helped the side compete on its return to the Premier League with the Cottagers safely midtable.


USA star Tim Ream was forced out of Fulham 's Premier League game against Manchester City
 

The American defender landed awkwardly after a collision with City forward Julian Alvarez (R)

Ream is arguably one of the best Americans currently playing in Europe and his potential injury could come as a big blow to the USMNT ahead of this summer.

He was a key component of Gregg Berhalter's World Cup roster in Qatar last year, playing all four of the USA's games.

He has racked up 50 appearances for the US national team, dating back to his debut in 2010.

The USA, under the charge of interim coach, Anthony Hudson, isn't in action until June 15 after the end of the domestic campaigns in the European leagues.

However, the extent of Ream's injury is currently unknown and could potentially rule him out of the roster for the Americans' jam-packed summer.

The Stars and Stripes kick off their summer schedule with the Nations League semifinal against rival Mexico on June 15, before beginning their Gold Cup campaign against Jamaica on June 24.

The US will also play another group stage game on June 28 against the final and currently unknown team in Group A, before taking on Nicaragua on its thrid matchday on July 2.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12030909/USA-Fulham-star-Tim-Ream-forced-exit-clash-against-Man-City-makeshift-sling.html

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Spirited Fulham make Man City work hard for their route back to Premier League summit

Fulham (1) 1 Vinicius 15
Manchester City (2) 2 Haaland pen 3, Alvarez 36

Fulham went the way so many others have done this season as Man City reclaimed the lead in the Premier League – the title surely heading their way once more.

The Whites reacted superbly to going a goal down in the opening three minutes, with Carlos Vinicius bagging only his third of the campaign to cancel out an Erling Haaland penalty.

But a glorious shot from outside the box by World Cup winner Julian Alvarez put Pep Guardiola's men back in the box seat and they were not going to relinquish for a second time.

Arsenal, hoping for their west London neighbours might do them a favour in the title race, were left as disappointed as the Whites' faithful.

It was always asking a lot to expect the Whites to end a run of 13 straight defeats to City on a day when Aleksandar Mitrovic was still serving his suspension, but his replacement gave the Whites hope with a good finish after a chip from Andreas Pereira had been flicked on to him by the head of Harry Wilson.

Yet City always carried threats all over the pitch. Bernd Leno did superbly to tip a Jack Grealish effort onto the crossbar and smother a close-range turn from Ilkay Gundogan, which followed a slick move.

The early pressing from the champions – and champions-elect – was frightening. Fulham could barely get a touch, and when they did, they were instantly hounded out of possession by the hungry pack of wolves intent on world domination.

That collective work brought early dividends when Grealish pinged a ball across to Riyad Mahrez, and a quick pass inside to Alvarez appeared to have completed the preparatory carving, only for Tim Ream to end the move with a foul.

Haaland – who recently missed a big penalty in Munich - blasted in perfectly from the spot to claim his 50th goal of an astonishing season. In doing so, he also equalled a Premier League record of 34 held jointly by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.

If Ream's involvement in the opening goal hurt, there was an even more painful episode on the way for him after 20 minutes when he tumbled under a challenge from Alvarez, who then trod on his arm. He departed with the damaged limb in a makeshift sling fashioned from his shirt.

And there would be a further blow later in the day when Pereira had to be stretchered off with a bad-looking leg injury which might well spend the end of his season.

Along with the losses of Mitrovic, Willian and Ream, Marco Silva has been handed a string of setbacks which have complicated the run-in and deprived him of players who have been key to a highly successful season for the Cottagers.

Leno made another brilliant save early in the second half, when he got down low to keep out a first-time effort from Haaland – Grealish supplying an inviting pass from the left to the incoming hitman. Alvarez also tested him with an angled shot from 12 yards.

There was brief hope when a mix-up between Ederson and Ruben Dias gave Vinicius a glimpse of more glory, but the keeper recovered to retrieve the ball with an outstretched hand.

The Whites stayed in the game, and for that they deserve great credit, given the two injury disruptions and the standard of opposition, but they are still without a win against City since 2009 and no win against the Cityzens by the Thames since 2005.

This was never going to be an easy afternoon.

 

Whites: (4-2-3-1) Leno – Tete, Tosin, Ream (Diop 22), Robinson – Reed (Lukic 77), Palhinha - Wilson (Solomon 76), Pereira (Cairney 58), De Cordova-Reid (James 77) - Vinicius. Subs not used: Rodak, Duffy, Kebano, Soares

City: (3-2-4-1) Ederson – Walker, Ruben Dias, Akanji – Stones, Rodri – Mahrez (Foden 82), Alvarez (Bernardo Silva 82), Gundogan, Grealish – Haaland. Subs not used: Carson, Phillips, Laporte, Ortega, Gomez, Rodriguez, Lewis

Attendance: 24,000



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/spirited-fulham-make-man-city-work-hard-for-their-route-back-to-premier-league-summit

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Fulham star Andreas Pereira stretchered off with nasty leg injury following awkward fall during Man City game

Andreas Pereira had to be stretchered off following a nasty looking leg injury in Fulham's clash with Man City on Sunday.

The midfielder was involved in a clash of heads with City defender Manuel Akanji, but then landed awkwardly on his leg.


Pereira looked in plenty pain as he was stretchered off

His leg was put in a protective brace and he was then moved onto a stretcher before being taken down the tunnel.

talkSPORT's reporter at the game, and former Arsenal star, Perry Groves said: "Unfortunately Andreas Pereira had to come off.

"He was involved in a nasty clash of heads with Manuel Akanji and landed awkwardly."

The 27-year-old has been a key man for Fulham this season following his £10million move from Manchester United in the summer.

He has amassed four goals and six assists for Marco Silva's side as they push to finish inside the top 10.

Fulham are currently 10th in the table marooned between Brentford five points above them and Crystal Palace five points below them.

It was the second injury blow Fulham faced in the clash with Man City as Tim Ream was forced off with his arm in a makeshift sling.

City managed to secure a 2-1 at Craven Cottage to take them top of the Premier League table.

Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez scored either side of Carlos Vinicius' effort.



https://talksport.com/football/1410979/

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Manchester City battle hard to beat Fulham and return to Premier League summit

Manchester City are top of the Premier League for the first time since February 17 thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Pep Guardiola's men were pushed until the end by Fulham, who stuck doggedly with the in-form champions throughout the match.

Far more experienced top-flight sides might have crumbled when Erling Haaland netted his 50th goal of the season from the penalty spot after just three minutes.

However, Fulham managed to find a leveller a little over 10 minutes later through Carlos Vinicius, who has struggled for goals since he became a regular starter in the absence of the suspended Aleksandar Mitrovic.

It took a touch of class from Julian Alvarez to restore the visitors' advantage in the first half, superbly curling home what proved to be the winner.

It was Fulham who looked most likely to score again as the game neared its conclusion, but City held on to move above Arsenal.

Haaland made no mistakes with his powerful penalty just three minutes in after Tim Ream, who has been a mainstay of the Fulham defence this campaign, was judged to have brought down Alvarez in the box.

The goal all-but killed any forward momentum from Fulham who reverted to a defensive formation to try and curb City's attacking threat.

Jack Grealish had a low drive saved by Leno in the 14th minute, but Fulham found an equaliser against the run of play just moments later.

Vinicius, who had only scored two goals previously this season, thrashed a fine finish past Ederson in the 15th minute.

The forward, who has been criticised by the home fans in recent weeks for his lack of end product, was in the right place after Harry Wilson flicked the ball down into his path, and made no mistake with his left-foot strike.

Fulham were dealt a blow in the 20th minute with the loss of on-field captain Ream, who slipped trying to make a tackle and landed awkwardly on his arm.

City maintained their pressure on the Fulham defence, with Leno called into action again to tip a Grealish effort onto the bar and Antonee Robinson denying Alvarez at the far post.

The visitors restored their advantage after 36 minutes, with a stunning curled strike into the corner from Alvarez.

The Argentinian held off the defenders to create an opening outside of the box before taking his shot.

City started the second half in the same manner they finished the first, with Leno diving low to his right to deny a low effort from Haaland.

Andreas Pereira was carried off on a stretcher following a coming-together with Manuel Akanji, forcing manager Marco Silva into his second unplanned change of the afternoon.

Fulham had a chance to score a second leveller when Vinicius was played in down the left side of the box, but Ederson was just able to gather and deny the forward a shot at what would have been an empty goal.

Tempers flared briefly between Grealish and Kenny Tete as Fulham felt they should have been given a penalty when Bobby Decordova-Reid was brought down in the box, but the referee waved play on.

The game finished in tense fashion, but City are back at the summit of the Premier League – a point ahead of the Gunners having played a game fewer.



https://www.irishnews.com/sport/footballsoccer/2023/04/30/news/manchester_city_battle_hard_to_beat_fulham_and_return_to_premier_league_summit-3244510/

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Fulham are given a huge scare as Andreas Pereira is stretchered off with a suspected BROKEN LEG... after the midfielder went up for a challenge with Manuel Akanji in Fulham's narrow loss to Manchester City

    Pereira landed awkwardly after challenging City's Manuel Akanji in the air
    Medical staff tended to Pereira for several minutes before calling for a stretcher
    The Portuguese has registered 11 goal contributions since the start of the season

Fulham star Andreas Pereira was carried off on a stretcher after suffering a suspected broken leg during the Londoners' 2-1 loss to Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

The 27-year-old landed awkwardly after challenging Manuel Akanji in the air for a high ball just minutes on from the restart of play after the interval.

Pereira hit the deck in severe pain as play at Craven Cottage came to an immediate halt.

Medical staff were quick to respond to the injured midfielder and spent several minutes assessing the severity of the injury on the pitch.

The former Man United academy graduate had his leg placed in a brace before being lifted onto a stretcher and was applauded off by both sets of players and the vast majority of the spectators in the stands.
 

Andreas Pereira suffered a suspected broken leg after challenging Manuel Akanji in the air
 

The ex-Man United midfielder landed awkwardly on his right leg and was left in immense pain
 

Pereira was stretchered off to a round of applause from both sets of players and supporters

Club captain Tom Cairney came on to replace the injured Pereira with 58 minutes on the clock.

Erling Haaland's 2nd minute penalty gave City an early advantage in West London, although Carlos Vinicius was on hand to draw the hosts level after 15 minutes of play.

Julian Alvarez restored the advantage for Pep Guardiola's with a well-measured curling effort just over half an hour into proceedings.

Fulham's afternoon went from bad to worse as Pereira's injury looks certain to rule him out for the remainder of the season.

Only Aleksandar Mitrovic has more goal contributions than Pereira for Marco Silva's side over the course of this season.

Hopes of qualifying for European football next season are slipping further away as Fulham dropped down to 10th place in the Premier League table, seven points off Brighton in eighth with five games to go.

Fulham will travel to Merseyside to take on Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night, before returning to action in the capital against relegation-threatened Leicester the following Monday. 



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12031033/Fulham-nightmare-Andreas-Pereira-stretchered-suspected-broken-leg-against-Man-City.html

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Fulham suffer double injury blow in Manchester City defeat

 Fulham pair Tim Ream and Andreas Pereira both suffered "serious" injuries in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers fell behind early on when Erling Braut Haaland dispatched his third-minute spot-kick after Ream had fouled Julian Alvarez in the box.

Carlos Vinicius quickly equalised in the 15th minute, but Fulham were dealt a blow when Ream was forced off midway through the first half with a suspected broken arm.

Alvarez restored Man City's lead before half time, and their hosts received another setback just before the hour mark.

Pereira was stretchered off with a leg injury after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Man City defender Manuel Akanji.

Speaking after the game, Marco Silva revealed that the pair were receiving treatment in hospital for their "serious" looking injuries.

The Fulham boss also said that it is unlikely that Ream will feature in Fulham's final five games of the 2022-23 campaign.

"Tim Ream is probably not playing no more this season, he has broken his arm," Silva told reporters.

"Let's hope Andreas Pereira is not so serious. This is the worst thing, without (Aleksandar) Mitrovic, with a short squad like us, it is really tough to take."

Commenting further on Pereira's injury, Silva added: "When he lands he felt something, maybe the ankle, we have to wait a little more."

Ream has been one of Fulham's key players this season, featuring in all 33 of the club's Premier League matches.

Pereira, who arrived from Manchester United last summer, has also played regularly, scoring four goals and providing six assists in 32 top-flight appearances this term.

Fulham are sitting in 10th place in the Premier League table, and they will turn their attention to Wednesday's away meeting with Liverpool.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-city/injury-news/news/fulham-suffer-double-injury-blow-in-man-city-defeat_512754.html

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Plucky Fulham push City all the way
For the second time this season, Fulham pushed the defending champions all the way and emerged with nothing but plaudits for their enterprise and endeavour. Marco Silva's side had come within seconds of a precious point at Eastlands in November without Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Whites lost the services of Tim Ream – to a broken arm – and Andreas Pereira during the course of this tighter-than-expected tussle at Craven Cottage, which Manchester City only edged thanks to a moment of magic from Julian Alvarez.

Pep Guardiola's side had stylishly swept aside Arsenal in midweek and they are now heavy favourites to retain the Premier League title. But, whilst there was beauty in the metronomic manner of their precise passing, this narrow victory owed more to grit than glamour. The predatory instincts of Erling Haaland are not in doubt, but the Norwegian was successfully nullified after becoming the first man in English football to score fifty goals since 1931 with a perfectly-placed penalty in the fourth minute. Fulham could have folded after such an early setback, but instead equalised through a fine finish from Carlos Vinicius, and remained in the contest even after Alvarez bent a brilliant shot around the otherwise excellent Bernd Leno to restore the visitors' lead.

No City fan will count their chickens despite Guardiola's boys being in the box seat. They might have been a trifle fortunate to emerge victorious here, with Fulham emboldened by the introduction of Tom Cairney from the bench, posing a threat until the end. Cairney intervened as peacemaker when things threatened to boil over between Jack Grealish and Kenny Tete, with the England international shown only a yellow having raised his hands to Fulham's Dutch full back. Kyle Walker got away with bundling over Bobby Decordova-Reid in the penalty area and the sight of City's expensively-assembled squad keeping the ball in the corner shows just how successful Fulham's return to the top flight has been under Silva.

Their task was always likely to be herculean but it became even harder when Ream caught Alvarez in the area after a clever switch of play from Grealish. Referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot even before the City players had stopped appealing and Haaland, who seems to thrive on high-pressure moments, powered a low shot into the bottom corner. Leno had no chance – even though the German guessed the right way. For a while, it looked like it might be a procession – Haaland turned provider to release Grealish, who darted inside Tete only to shoot tamely at Leno.

But Fulham, who had barely seen any of the ball, fought gamely. Joao Palhinha snapped into tackles and when Antonee Robinson halted a rapid Riyad Mahrez break with a superb sliding tackle, the roar from the Cottage faithful was almost reminiscent of when Simon Davies equalised against Hamburg. City often pushed John Stones into midfield and shifted Walker across to become one of three centre backs but Silva's side were sharp enough to take advantage. Pereira found space and floated a lovely ball out to Harry Wilson. The Welshman scampered past a static Manuel Akanji and cushioned a cute header for Vinicius. The Brazilian blasted a powerful finish past a startled Ederson.

The home side's plans were then disrupted as Ream, who had played all 79 league under Silva, was substituted having been kicked in the arm by Alvarez as the pair contested a loose ball on the byline. Fulham's defending was less composed without Ream's reassurance, even though Issa Diop and Tosin Adarabioyo did very well. The home side were certainly hanging on when Leno tipped a Grealish effort onto the bar and Alvarez somehow missed the target from the rebound. The Argentinian World Cup winner made up for that with a wonderful curler after he had carried the ball deep into Fulham territory having received possession from Mahrez.

The visitors had chances to extend their lead, with Leno thwarting ?lkay Gündogan, Haaland and Álvarez in the second half, but by the end it was the Whites who were making all the running. Cairney distributed the ball intelligently and threw himself into tackles as Fulham fought and fought after the Craven Cottage faithful had paid a touching tribute to lifelong fan Lisa Hughes, who passed away aged just 46 on Tuesday. They couldn't force an equaliser with Ederson recovering to deny Vinicius on the edge of the area after a defensive mix-up, and Decordova-Reid firing over from outside the box after a purposeful run. The Jamaican international was then clearly taken out by Walker, but referee Hooper wasn't interested in awarding a penalty this time.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream (Diop 22); Palhinha, Reed (Lukic 76); Decordova-Reid (James 76), Wilson (Solomon 76), Pereira (Cairney 58); Vinicius. Subs (not used): Rodak, Cedric Soares, Duffy, Kebano.

BOOKED: Tete.

GOAL: Vinicius (15).

MANCHESTER CITY (3-4-2-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez (Foden 83), Grealish, Gündogan, Alvarez (Bernado Silva 83); Haaland. Subs (not used): Ortega, Carson, Laporte, Lewis, Gomez, Phillips, Perrone.

BOOKED: Grealish, Ederson, Walker.

GOALS: Haaland (pen 3), Alvarez (36).

REFEREE: Simon Hooper (Swindon).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/04/plucky-fulham-push-city-all-the-way/

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Inter Milan interested in Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo?

 Inter Milan are reportedly interested in signing Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo this summer.

Adarabioyo, who joined Fulham in 2020, made 41 Championship appearances last season, helping his side win promotion to the Premier League.

Issa Diop's arrival from West Ham United last summer has led to Adarabioyo being rotated in and out of the side this term.

The defender has had to settle for 20 Premier League appearances, although he has forced his way into the starting lineup in recent weeks, starting the club's last five matches.

With the 25-year-old set to enter the final 12 months of his contract, there is uncertainty surrounding his future at Craven Cottage.

According to Sky Sports News, Inter Milan have identified Adarabioyo as a potential target for the summer transfer window.

The Italian side are expected to strengthen their backline ahead of the 2023-34 season, with Milan Skriniar set to leave the club.

Skriniar will depart when his contract expires in June, and he is expected to sign for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

There is also surrounding the future of Stefan de Vrij, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, and he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Simone Inzaghi's side are considering Samuel Umtiti as another defensive option, with the Barcelona centre-back coming towards the end of a season-long loan deal with Lecce, where he has made 19 appearances.

Despite having a contract with Barcelona until 2026, Umtiti is expected to leave the Catalan club during the summer transfer window.

Adarabioyo, meanwhile, started Fulham's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Craven Cottage, where his central defensive partner Tim Ream suffered a suspected broken arm.

Fulham boss Marco Silva revealed that Ream is likely to miss the rest of the season, which could lead to Adarabioyo starting alongside Diop for the remaining five fixtures of the 2022-23 campaign.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/inter-milan-interested-in-fulhams-tosin-adarabioyo_512769.html

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'Ream won't play again this season,' reveals Silva
Tim Ream won't play against this season after suffering a broken arm against Manchester City, Fulham head coach Marcus Silva confirmed after the Whites' 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

The 35 year-old American defender's ever-present league record under Silva will come to an end at Anfield on Wednesday night after he had to leave the field midway through the first half having been kicked by Edson Alvarez in a tussle by the byline.

Silva told his post-match press conference after the final whistle:

    "The worst thing that happened to us this afternoon wasn't the result. It was the two serious injuries in both situations. This is the worst thing that we take from this afternoon. Tim Ream probably won't play no more this season. He's broken his arm. Let's hope Andreas Pereira's isn't so serious. With Mitro and the injury to Willian, with a short squad like this, it's really tough to take."

The Fulham boss was pleased with the way his side recovered from going behind inside three minutes.

    "We started in the worst way possible against a top side. We conceded a penalty straight away. We were losing 1-0 but we showed the personality and the character to come back to balance and equalise the game in that moment. We had a clear plan for the game. We wanted to go through the centre of the pitch, with our wingers a little more inside.

    If you try to block certain areas, they will look to expose others. The players, they stuck to their plan and did it well. We obligate them in some moments in the match to come back as we know they are stronger when they build with three. We did it and we created some chances and caused them some problems.

    The moment after we equalised the game was probably our best moment in the match. We cannot concede the goal in the way we did it. A great strike from Alvarez, I know, but the way we build in certain areas we cannot lose the ball in that way and we gave them a chance in their counter-attack.

    In the second-half, we were really competitive again. We didn't create many chances, this is true, but we didn't give many things to them either. Some dangerous chances in both boxes but unfortunately we didn't equalise."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/04/ream-wont-play-again-this-season-reveals-silva/

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'Fantastic': Redknapp raves about £20m player Liverpool leading race for

Jamie Redknapp has raved about Fulham midfielder and reported Liverpool target Joao Palhinha.

The former Liverpool midfielder has said on Sky Sports Premier League (1:57pm, April 30, 2023) that Palhinha, linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp's side in the summer transfer window, has been "a brilliant signing" for Fulham.

Fulham paid £20 million to Sporting Lisbon for the 27-year-old defensive midfielder (Sky Sports) in the summer of 2022.

In March 2023, The Daily Mail reported that Liverpool are leading the race for the Portugal international.

The Sun also reported last month that Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United all are keen on Palhinha.

Jamie Redknapp on Fulham midfielder and Liverpool target Joao Palhinha
Redknapp said about Palhinha: "He has been a brilliant signing. £20 million.

"He has got a real knowledge and nous of where he should be. He picks the right pass.

"He has a real presence about him. He is a fantastic signing for them."

HITC Verdict: Potentially brilliant signing for Liverpool
In our view, Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha would be a very good signing for Liverpool in the summer transfer window.

We know that the Reds need dynamic and energetic midfielders for next season and beyond.

Liverpool need to freshen up their midfield department.

And Palhinha does fit the bill.

The Portugal international is a very experienced midfielder who has played in major European competitions and has done well in the Premier League.

And given that he is 27, it would be fair to assume that Palhinha is about to hit his peak and would be able to make an immediate impact at Liverpool.




https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/05/01/fantastic-redknapp-raves-about-20m-player-liverpool-leading-race-for/

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Fulham 1-2 Manchester City: Player ratings
You could definitely make a case for this being one of Fulham's finest performances of what has been a stellar season. Marco Silva's side were without Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian and, by full time, had lost the services of Tim Ream and Andreas Pereira, but just as at the Etihad earlier in the season, the Whites pushed the defending champions all the way.

Bernd Leno: Our BFG had no chance with either of the City goals. He at least went the right way for Haaland's precisely placed penalty, but couldn't get near Edson Alvarez's wonderful winner. But he kept the Whites in the game with a series of superb saves. Leno's agility was on display as he kept himself airborne long enough to turn Grealish's goalbound strike onto the crossbar and, after half time, he did brilliantly to get down to another Haaland piledriver. In between, he blocked bravely with his legs from Rodri. 8

Kenny Tete: The Dutch full-back started pensively against Grealish, allowing the former Aston VIlla to cut inside far too easily, but grew in confidence the longer an intriguing battle lasted. His timing in the tackle became impeccable and, on the rare occasions that Fulham were able to be mount attacks, Tete could be seen accelerating along the right flank in support. The intensity of the one-on-one duel got to Grealish, who might count himself lucky not to be sent off (just as he was at Wembley five years), and ended the afternoon ear-cupping the Johnny Haynes Stand. 7

Antonee Robinson: The American international had a difficult afternoon against Riyad Mahrez, but he raised the volume level inside Craven Cottage with a superb sliding tackle on the winger having sprinted sixty yards to halt a City break after being caught upfield when the Whites lost the ball. He played a part in Fulham's fabulously fashioned leveller and, just like all of his team-mates, kept fighting until the very end of injury time. 6

Tosin Adarabioyo: Tosin's performances since returning to the side have been nothing short of exceptional. He barely put a front wrong against West Ham despite that agonising defeat and was imperious in the wins over Leeds United and West Ham. On a day when the Fulham defence was always likely to be challenged, the tall central defender acquitted himself admirably against the club where his footballing education began. He was strong in the air against Haaland and company, composed in possession and coped with the early departure of Ream. 7

Tim Ream: You don't always get what you deserve in professional sport but for Tim Ream's terrific redemption season to end with a broken arm midway through this fixture was heart-wrenching. The St. Louis native has proven everyone wrong with his reliability at the highest level and Fulham will find the final weeks of the campaign tougher for his absence. Perhaps the most infuriating aspect of the American's enforced absence was the fact that his injury was caused by a kick from Edson Alvarez. That was clear to everyone in the Hammersmith End, but neither the referee or his assistant spotted something that had a material outcome on the result. 6

Joao Palhinha: We'll soon run out of superlatives for our Portuguese high prince of tackling. Palhinha had to use all of nous to protect the Fulham defence on an afternoon when the hosts were always likely to up against it – and this all-action performance will no doubt prompt another week of tittle tattle in the tabloids and conveyors of clickbait about the top teams being interested in his services. If Declan Rice is worth more than a hundred million, then an awful lot of cash will have to put on the table to tempt Fulham to part with Palhinha, who is on a six-year contract and loving his football under Silva. 7

Harrison Reed: The special one Iniesta gave everything, as always, but the peerless nature of City's passing meant that his best attributes were largely nullified. There were plenty of shuttle runs and tenacious tussles for possession, but neutral observers wouldn't have seen his range of passing or intelligence on the ball that have been part of such a superb season. Reed fought valiantly against the visiting midfield but Guardiola's 3-4-2-1/4-2-3-1 hybrid made it tough for Fulham to build up a head of steam. 6

Bobby Decordova-Reid: Our battling Bristolian did everything that was asked of him in the absence of Willian along the left wing. Most of his duties were defensive, working to negate the threat by City's awesome arsenal of attacking talent, but Decordova-Reid attacked with ambition where possible. His best moment came when he drove directly at goal in a central position and shot over the angle of post and bar, but Fulham could quite easily have been awarded a penalty when he was bundled over in the box by Kyle Walker, who had no interest in playing the ball. 7

Harry Wilson: The Welshman, like Decordova-Reid, was destined not to have the amount of touches in the final third that he usually does – on account of City's monopolisation of the ball. But he still made those moments count, setting up the equaliser Carlos Vinicius with a clever back header, and looked lively when on the ball. Most importantly, he worked hard in maintaining Fulham's disciplined defensive shape when the Whites were out of possession, on an afternoon when it was all about work ethic. 6

Andreas Pereira: Rather like Ream, we have to fear that this could be end of the Brazilian's brilliant season after he was stretchered off with what looked like a broken ankle after coming off worse in a 50/50 challenge. Pereira was bright again and buzzed around leading Fulham's press from a mid-block even if his opportunities on the ball were severely limited. He was taken straight to hospital and thus denied a chance to help the hosts press for a late leveller. 6

Carlos Vinicius: There should be a bit of praise for the Brazilian forward after an excellent display against the best side in the land. Vinicius has borne the brunt of plenty of criticism this season and just the announcement of the starting line-up saw some supposed Fulham fans declaring that they'd 'had enough' of him. Vinicius made the detractors eat their words with a performance that asked searching questions of the City back three, capped with a glorious finish to level the scores. He made have been sharper when a loose ball looked to have bounced away from Ederson, but this was easily his finest showing in a Fulham shirt. 7

Substitutes:

Issa Diop: Stepped into one of the toughest examinations a Premier League defender can have at moment – shackling Haaland in his prime – and did very well when you consider how tough it is to get up to the pace of a game you weren't expecting to join. You always wonder whether the Tosin/Diop axis will be the Fulham central defensive partnership of the future – and I think Craven Cottage would enjoy that combination in due course. 6

Tom Cairney: The captain's enduring class meant Fulham were able to keep City sweating right until the final whistle. The circumstances of his arrival, replacing the injured Pereira, proved unfortunate but this cameo, which saw Cairney both maintain possession and use it intelligently, proved once again that he can be a real asset in the top flight. He suits Silva's style perfectly and may get a few starts between now and the end of the season. 7

Manor Solomon: Solomon sought to create where possible but found it difficult to impose himself on this game. As at Aston Villa, City were prepared for him cutting in from the left onto his right foot and stuck two men on the Israeli to blunt one of Silva's substitutes sufficiently. 6

Dan James: The rapid Welsh international ran around a lot but couldn't greatly influence the game the right flank after replacing his compatriot Harry Wilson. 6

Sasa Lukic: There were more signs that the Serbian is getting to grips with the Premier League, but like Solomon and Jones he didn't have enough time or space to make more than a fleeting impression. 6



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/05/fulham-1-2-manchester-city-player-ratings/

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Liverpool team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Fulham

Liverpool will endeavour to stretch their Premier League winning streak to five matches when they welcome Fulham to Anfield for Wednesday's top-flight contest.

The Reds came up trumps in a seven-goal spectacular with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, as Diogo Jota struck an injury-time winner in a 4-3 triumph.

Jurgen Klopp's in-form troops have subsequently risen up to fifth in the rankings, albeit still seven points behind Manchester United having played a game more.

Not including Klopp, who appeared to pull his hamstring in Sunday's wild celebrations, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with the Cottagers, who fell to a 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the weekend.

Thiago Alcantara
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Unknown
Possible return date: May 3 (vs. Fulham)

Thiago Alcantara, who has lost his spot in the XI to Curtis Jones recently, was absent from the matchday squad against Tottenham and was seen limping towards the dugout at Anfield. Klopp did not offer an update on Thiago's condition after the game, but the Spaniard has seemingly emerged as a doubt for Wednesday.

Roberto Firmino
Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: May 6 (vs. Brentford)

Roberto Firmino has now missed Liverpool's last three games with a muscular problem, and despite initial optimism that he would not be out for any longer, the Brazilian forward is not expected to recover in time for the visit of Fulham.

Calvin Ramsay
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown

Teenage defender Calvin Ramsay underwent campaign-ending knee surgery in January and is now focusing on a return for the pre-season period.

Stefan Bajcetic
Status: Out
Type of injury: Adductor
Possible return date: Unknown

Likewise, up-and-coming midfielder Stefan Bajcetic is sidelined with a serious adductor injury, which cruelly cut his breakthrough year short before March's international fixtures.

Naby Keita
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: May 3 (vs. Fulham)

Prior to the win over Spurs, Klopp expressed hope that Naby Keita would be able to take part in training as he steps up his recovery from a muscular problem, but he is only thought to have a slim chance of taking part in midweek.

LIVERPOOL'S SUSPENSION LIST
Liverpool have no players suspended for this match.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/top-four-race/injuries-and-suspensions/liverpool-injury-suspension-list-vs-fulham_512771.html