Saturday Fulham Stuff - 6/01/24...

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FA Cup Result

Friday 5/01
Fulham	1-0	Rotherham
De Cordova-Reid

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Fulham 1-0 Rotherham United

Bobby De Cordova-Reid's thumping strike was enough to give Premier League Fulham a narrow FA Cup third-round win over Championship strugglers Rotherham at Craven Cottage.

The home side dominated possession but lacked a cutting edge and it took an error from Rotherham defender Sebastian Revan to give them the lead.

Harry Wilson pressed the centre-back inside the Millers' box and half-blocked his pass with the ball falling to De Cordova-Reid, who lashed it high into the net from 20 yards.

Fulham came close to a second when Andreas Pereira's mishit volley came back off the post late in the first half before Tosin Adarabioyo's firm header was tipped over the bar by Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson early in the second.

Rotherham seldom threatened the home goal, although Jordan Hugill had the ball in the net a couple of minutes after Fulham's opener, but his back-post finish from Tom Eaves' wayward shot was ruled out for offside.

Leam Richardson's side forced some pressure late on with captain Sean Morrison's long throws keeping the Fulham defence on their toes but the hosts held on to progress to the fourth round.

Fulham lack spark but get the job done
After an early long throw-in was flicked wide by Hugill, the game quickly settled into a pattern with Marco Silva's side on the ball and Rotherham sitting deep and inviting the hosts to break them down.

It proved to be a challenge for a much-changed Fulham team and, despite having 74% possession in the first half, they had mustered just one shot on target - De Cordova-Reid's fine strike.

Part of that was down to some brave Rotherham defending as players threw themselves in front of shots but there were also helped by some sloppy Fulham play in the final third.

Tosin's header aside, the closest Fulham came to a second goal was after another Rotherham mishap as Johansson fumbled a cross, failed to collect the loose ball and was relieved to see Rodrigo Muniz's shot-on-the-turn blocked.

Ultimately, though, Fulham did what they needed to. They got in front and, with Rotherham offering next to nothing as an attacking force for much of the game, their place in the next round rarely appeared in doubt.

So, while Rotherham can content themselves with a creditable performance in defeat - one that extends their winless run away from home to 29 games - Fulham can look forward to an exciting Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Wednesday with the hope that another cup run may just be getting started.

'We nullified them in many areas' - what they said
Fulham manager Marco Silva: "Going through in the competition was our aim, our desire was clear and we deserved it.

"Not the best performance when you have so many changes in the XI. They have the quality to start a Premier League game but when you change seven or eight from one game to another it will always have an impact."

Rotherham manager Leam Richardson: "You've got to be pleased. You're coming to a really well-coached Premier League team in Fulham and I thought we nullified them in many areas, and had a goal disallowed.

"It's always disappointing when you lose a game but respect to Fulham.

"We're not going to face much stiffer opposition than we did tonight and [the players] take great credit with that. They'll grow as a team and individuals. It'll only benefit us moving forward."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67886945

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Post-Rotherham Press Conference
While acknowledging it was not a classic encounter, progression in the Emirates FA Cup was the main priority for Marco Silva on Friday night.

A Bobby De Cordova-Reid screamer midway through the first half was all that separated Fulham and Rotherham United at Craven Cottage, though the hosts were in control throughout.

"Job done, which was the most important thing for us really," Silva said. "Professional performance, we clearly deserved to go through in the competition.

"It was our obligation to control the game the way we did, to not give almost anything for them. I don't remember one save from Marek, no shots on target from them.

"When you make eight changes from one XI to the other, of course it always has an impact from a performance point of view.

"Of course, all the players that started, they have more than a capacity to start in the Premier League. They already did it, most of them that started tonight, but when you make eight changes there's always an impact – the connections, the dynamic was not really the way I'd like to see.

"Of course, it was against a side that is defending really deep on the pitch, with that 5-3-2, always really deep on the pitch.

"We always had the possession, I think until the first goal probably more than 80 per cent of possession, [but] not many chances to be honest. But we scored, we created three or four chances to score more goals, and [gave] nothing for them.

"We deserve to be in the next round. Clean sheet is always important. I think we did control well their direct game, you know there will be long throw-ins in our box as well, all that stuff.

"I think, from a defensive point of view, we did control well. In terms of performance, it wasn't the best, but was enough to go through and to control really well the game."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/january/05/post-rotherham-press-conference/

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No shame but no FA Cup romance for the Millers either ... on-the-whistle report: Fulham 1 Rotherham United 0
ROTHERHAM United's long wait to extend their interest in the FA Cup beyond the third-round stage goes on after they were beaten by Premier League opponents tonight.

The Championship Millers gave a reasonable account of themselves at Craven Cottage against a Fulham side that had seen off title contenders Arsenal five days earlier in West London.

But they were made to pay for needlessly giving away a goal in the first half and it's now 22 years since they were last in the draw for the competition's fourth round.

They will return to their survival battle in the second tier, where they are unbeaten in their last three outings, having been beaten by a superior team but not embarrassed in any way.

Fulham enjoyed virtually all the possession and territory early on but Rotherham showed the defensive resilience that is already becoming a trademark of new boss Leam Richardson's short reign.

Viktor Johansson remained untested in the Millers goal until the 23rd minute when his first real action of the contest was to pick the ball out of his own net.

There was no blame attached to the keeper but plenty being pointed the way of Seb Revan who was caught dawdling on the ball in his own area by Harry Wilson which gifted Bobby De Cordova-Reid an 20-yard shooting chance that the Cottagers man converted in style

Soon afterwards, the Millers thought they had equalised when Tom Eaves beat an opponent and crossed from the right for Jordan Hugill to steer the ball beyond former AESSEAL New York Stadium loanee Marek Rodak.

However, Hugill had strayed offside and the attempt was correctly ruled out.

The gap in divisions was evident as the home side, with six wins in ten home top-flight outings this season, passed the ball around well on a surface made slippery by rain in the capital.

Rotherham held out fairly comfortably until the 42nd minute when they came close to falling further behind.

A break down the right saw the ball come into the box and Andreas Pereira hit the post before Harrison Reed drove the follow-up wide.

Eaves had been given another opportunity up front after his scoring contribution in last Monday's 2-2 league draw at Blackburn and Cafu had come back into the starting line-up for the first time since his recovery from a hamstring injury.

For once, the Millers were able to select a nine-man bench and Tolaji Bola was a welcome name on there after being exiled from first-team consideration since the summer.

Lee Peltier was also available again after a hamstring issue.

Uncharacteristic butter fingers from Johansson almost let in Fulham for a second soon after the restart but a Sean Morrison and more committed Rotherham defending as the keeper scrambled to recover himself kept the deficit down.

The visitors lost Cohen Bramall as their injury misfortune struck again, which saw Peltier enter the fray.

Johansson was much more like himself when he pushed away Tosin's powerful header as the tie reached its hour mark.

Sam Nombe's introduction added some of forward thrust for Richardson's men but the Cottagers, bar a stoppage-time Rotherham flurry, remained in control until the final whistle.

By the end, other than their offside attempt, the Millers hadn't mustered an effort on target.

No extended journey in this year's tournament, just a long Friday-night trip back to South Yorkshire.

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Marek Rodak; Kenny Tete, Tosin, Issa Diop, Timothy Castagne (Antonee Robinson 82); Harrison Reed (Tom Cairney 74), Sasa Lukic; Harry Wilson (Willian 74), Andreas Pereira (Tyrese Francois 82), Bobby De Cordova-Reid; Rodrigo Muniz (Carlos Vinicius 74). Subs not used: Steven Benda, Raul Jimenez, Joao Palhinha, Luc De Fougerolles.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Viktor Johansson; Hakeem Odoffin, Sean Morrison, Seb Revan; Dexter Lembikas (Appiah 81), Jamie Lindsay, Cafu (Christ Tiehi 64), Jamie Lindsay, Sam Clucas (Ollie Rathbone 64), Cohen Bramall (Lee Peltier 55); Jordan Hugill, Tom Eaves (Sam Nombe 64). Subs not used: Dillon Phillips, Tolaji Bola, Georgie Kelly, Ciaran McGuckin.

Goal: De Cordova-Reid 23 (Fulham).

Referee: Simon Hooper (Swindon).

Attendance: 15,083 (690 plus pay on the day).



https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/no-shame-but-no-fa-cup-romance-for-the-millers-either-on-the-whistle-report-fulham-1-rotherham-united-0-4468509

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Fulham toil to FA Cup win over Millers
Fulham 1 (De Cordova-Reid 24)

Rotherham United 0

Att: 15,083

Much-changed Fulham laboured into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over plucky Rotherham at Craven Cottage this evening.

Bobby Decordova-Reid's strike from outside the box midway through the first half was the difference. And despite some dogged defence, the Yorkshiremen never really looked like getting back into it.

Of those to start Sunday's win over Arsenal here, only De Cordova-Reid, Tosin and Tomothy Castagne were on the pitch at the first whistle this evening.

But even with such a different team, Fulham would have been confident of seeing off the Millers - a side who didn't record a single win away from the glamorously-named New York Stadium in 2023 and who currently lie bottom of the Championship, seven points from safety.

However this really was one for the 15,083 die-hards who made the effort this evening.

The game's only real bright spot was De Cordova-Reid's super strike.

Rotherham had defended admirably until the point when left back Sebastian Revan was caught in possession. The ball was quickly worked to De Cordova-Reid, whose wonderful shot from 25 yard beat Viktor Johansson all ends up.

Rotherham's traveling fans thought their team had equalised minutes later, big front man Tom Eaves turning in a cross from the right, but the linesman's flag denied them.

The Millers were continuing to defend deep, forcing Fulham to bide their time. Rodrigo Muniz capitalised on an error in the centre of defence shortly before the break but his shot was pulled wide of the right-hand post.

Fulham thought they may have had a penalty themselves after 42 minutes. Andreas Pereira's shot came back off the post and, when Reid's shot was fired back in, it was blocked by Revan, but it was never likely to be a spot-kick as the defender turned his back.

The Whites continued to push in the second half. Goalkeeper Johansson got himself into all sorts of bother on the right of his box, but with the keeper out of position Rodrigo Muniz's shot was blocked.

The keeper then redeemed himself with an acrobatic save from Tosin's header - one for the highlights reel.

There was little else to shout about. The Fulham faithful wil be hoping for better come round four.


Teams:

Fulham: Rodak, Tete, Tosin, Reed (Cairney 74), Wilson (Willian 74), De Cordova-Reid, Pereira (Francoise 82), Muniz (Carlos Vinicius 74), Castagne (Robinson 82), Lukic, Diop

Rotherham: Johansson, Lembikisa (Appiah 81), Bramall (Peltier 55), Cafu (Rathbone 64), Clucas (Tiehi 64), Eaves (Nombe 64), Hugill, Lindsay, Odoffin, Morrison, Revan

Referee: Simon Hooper



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/fulham-rotherham

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Cordova-Reid's thumping strike helps Marco Silva's side book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup

    Marco Silva's side have booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup
    Bobby De Cordova-Reid's strike helped the Cottagers beat Rotherham 1-0

While they are not one of the lowest-ranked sides left in the competition, victory for Rotherham over Fulham had the potential to be considered one of the biggest upsets of the third round.

The stats don't make for good reading for the Championship side. They sit rock bottom of the division with only three wins to their name and 50 goals conceded.

Their luck isn't much better in football's oldest cup competition either, where they have failed to make it into the fourth round since 2002.

Grimmer still, they are without an away win in all competitions since November 2022. That painful 28-game run stretched to 29 here as Bobby De Cordova-Reid's goal put Fulham into the hat for the next round.

Though the scoreline suggests this was a narrow win, in truth this game was one-sided from the off.


Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored to secure Fulham's place in the fourth round of the FA Cup
 

His booming strike helped Marco Silva's side claim a 1-0 win against Rotherham at Craven Cottage
 

Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson was not able to keep De Cordova-Reid's shot out

But an early cup exit isn't likely to keep Rotherham boss Leam Richardson awake at night. He has a far more important mission - that of masterminding an unlikely bid for Championship survival - at the forefront of his mind.

Richardson's five-man defence did their best to make life difficult for the hosts. But an individual error helped Fulham to finally smash their way through the wall of red shirts in the 24th minute.

Rotherham's Sebastian Revan was caught napping on the ball and when the ball fell to De Cordova-Reid on the edge of the box, there was only one thought in the Jamaican's mind.

He rifled the ball home past Viktor Johansson to relieve some of the early nerves around west London.

The Millers did their best to raise the home supporters' blood pressure again in the 28th minute as Jordan Hugill looked to have drawn the visitors level. The journeyman forward's goal didn't stand, though, with the linesman's flag raised for off-side.


Fulham have now claimed their second successive victory in all competitions after beating Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League last week
 

Rotherham, meanwhile, have failed to make it into the fourth round of the FA Cup since 2002

Match facts
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak 6; Tete 6, Tosin 6, Diop 6, Castagne 6 (Robinson 82min); Reed 6 (Cairney 74, 6), Lukic 6; Wilson 6.5 (Willian 74, 6), Pereira 7.5 (Francois 82), De Cordova-Reid 7; Muniz 6 (Vinicius 73, 6).

Subs not used: Benda, De Fougerolles, Palhinha, Jimenez.

Booked: None

Goals: De Cordova-Reid 24

Manager: Marco Silva 6
 

ROTHERHAM (5-3-2): Johansson 5; Lembikisa 6 (Appiah 81), Odoffin 6, Morrison 5.5, Revan 5, Bramall 5.5 (Peltier 55, 6); Lindsay 5.5, Clucas 5.5 (Tiehi 64, 6), Cafu 5 (Rathbone 64, 6); Hugill 6, Eaves 5.5 (Nombe 64, 6.5).

Subs not used: Kelly, Bola, Phillips, McGuckin.

Booked: None

Goals: None

Manager: Leam Richardson 5.
 

Referee: Simon Hooper 6

Attendance: 15,083.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12931961/Fulham-1-0-Rotherham-Bobby-Cordova-Reids-thumping-strike-helps-Marco-Silvas-book-place-fourth-round-FA-Cup.html

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Fulham through after beating Rotherham
Fulham 1-0 Rotherham

Bobby De Cordova-Reid's goal was enough to take Fulham through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Marco Silva's side ultimately eased into the next stage of the competition, while perhaps already looking ahead to next Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie away to Liverpool.

Fulham dominated the early stages of the tie without threatening Leam Richardson's team, who are currently bottom of the Championship – and had not won away from home since November 2022.

However the Whites' perseverance paid off in the 23rd minute when they went ahead, courtesy of a fine strike. Picking up on a defensive lapse by Millers' defender Seb Revan, Decordova Reid took aim from around 20 yards out, before arrowing a shot into the top left hand corner of the net.

Fulham should have doubled their lead four minutes before the interval. From a sweeping move down the right flank, Andreas Pereira could only manage to clip a shot against the woodwork when set up impressively by the raiding Kenny Tete.

The Whites again largely controlled the second half proceedings, but created few decent chances.
Fulham: Rodak, Tete, Tosin, Diop, Castagne (Robinson 81), Lukic, Reed, (Willian 74), Wilson (Cairney 74), DeCordova Reid, Pereira (Francois 81), Muniz (Vinicius 74)



https://www.westlondonsport.com/sport/fulham-through-after-beating-rotherham

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Fulham 1-0 Rotherham: FLW report as Bobby De-Cordova Reid sends Millers out
FLW report live from Craven Cottage

Fulham have booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating Championship strugglers Rotherham United 1-0 at Craven Cottage on Friday night.

It has been more than two decades since the Millers got past the third round of the competition and Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who fired into the top corner after Aston Villa loanee Sebastian Revan's mistake, ensured that their wait goes on for at least another year.

Leam Richardson's side have other priorities, of course, with a Championship relegation battle on their hands but, bar Jordan Hugill's correctly disallowed goal, they were unable to lay a glove on their top flight hosts, who barely got out of first gear and didn't really need to.

Fulham 1-0 Rotherham United
The hosts are pushing for a top half Premier League finish this term while Rotherham are battling for second tier survival and that's exactly how it looked in the opening exchanges. Fulham dominated the possession and patiently tried to find any holes in a Millers' side happy to sit deep and stay in their shape.

The opening seemed most likely to come down the Whites' left, where De Cordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, and Timothy Castagne looked hungry, but a stern defensive effort, particularly from Wolves loanee Dexter Lembikisa, and some bodies on the line defending at set pieces ensured they were kept at bay until midway through the half.

It was De Cordova-Reid who made the breakthrough in the 25th minute but Millers defender Sebastian Revan can be credited with at least half of the assist. The centre-back looked to play his way out of trouble inside his own box and coughed up possession under pressure from Harry Wilson, who teed up Fulham's number 14 with time to pick his spot. He obliged by firing into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Rotherham responded well and had the ball in the hosts' net moments later - Jordan Hugill tapping in Tom Eaves' cross at the back post after a free-kick - but the celebrations of the travelling fans were cut short by the assistant, who correctly flagged for offside.

Fulham went close to a second several times on the eve of the break. Andreas Pereira struck the post with a swiveled volley and Harrison Reed's follow-up strike was blocked wide by Revan. It did hit the arms of the Rotherham defender but VAR, rightfully, ruled it was not a penalty.

Rodrigo Muniz saw a header and a shot blocked from the resulting corner but Richardson's side cleared their lines to ensure they were only one behind at the half.

An important block from Sean Morrison, who was outstanding throughout, ensured Reed didn't double the deficit inside five second half minutes and the Rotherham captain was there again to spare Viktor Johansson's blushes a few minutes later when his fumble handed Muniz an opportunity from six yards out.

For all Fulham's quality in possession and the ease with which they were dealing with the long balls forward to Hugill and Tom Eaves, the hour came and went with the score still 1-0 and Rotherham still in the game.

Richardson turned to his bench, first to bring on Lee Peltier for the injured Cohen Bramall and then to introduce Christ Tiehi, Oliver Rathbone, and Sam Nombe, and the Millers did start to carry more of a threat, with Nombe looking particularly dangerous, as time ticked away and they grew in the belief that they might be able to snatch something late on.

Silva made changes of his own - with Willian, Carlos Vinicius, and Tom Cairney on for Wilson, Reed, and Muniz - in search of a second goal to kill the game. That never came but they didn't need it - Rotherham hadn't had a shot on target all game and were unable to change that in the five minutes of added time.

The Millers will have few complaints about going out after being well beaten by a Premier League side but it does mean their 20-plus year wait for a fourth-round tie goes on until at least next season.

Fulham player ratings
Marek Rodak - 6

Kenny Tete - 6

Issa Diop - 7

Tosin - 7

Timothy Castagne - 6 (Antonee Robinson (82) - 6)

Harrison Reed - 6 (Tom Cairney (74) - 6)

Sasa Lukic - 7

Bobby De Cordova-Reid - 8

Andreas Pereira - 7 (Tyrese Francois (82) - 6)

Harry Wilson - 7 (Willian (74) - 6)

Rodrigo Muniz - 6 (Carlos Vinicius (73) - 6)

Unused subs: Steven Benda, Raul Jimenez, Joao Palhinha, Luc De Fougerolles

Rotherham player ratings
Viktor Johansson - 6

Dexter Lembikisa - 6 (Arvin Appiah (81) - 6)

Sebastian Revan - 5

Sean Morrison - 8

Hakeem Odoffin - 6

Cohen Bramall - 6 (Lee Peltier (55) - 6)

Jamie Lindsay - 6

Sam Clucas - 6 (Christ Tiehi (64) - 6)

Cafu - 6 (Oliver Rathbone (64) - 6)

Jordan Hugill - 6

Tom Eaves - 6 (Sam Nombe (64) - 7)

Unused subs: Dillon Phillips, Georgie Kelly, Tolaji Bola, Ciaran McGukin

Attendance
The attendance for Fulham v Rotherham at Craven Cottage was 15,083.

That includes 690 travelling Millers fans.

Marco Silva post-match comments
Silva felt his side achieved their ultimate aim, reaching the fourth round, but admitted that the host of changes he had meant the performance left a little bit to be desired.

He said: "Job done. It was the most important thing for us. A professional performance. We deserved to go through in the competition.

"We didn't give almost anything to them. No saves for Marek and no shot on target for them but I knew that this could happen when I made seven, eight changes there is always an impact from a performance point of view."

Leam Richardson post-match comments
Richardson was quick to credit the work his Rotherham side had put in against a Premier League side.

He said: "First of all congratulations to Fulham and good luck in the competition and the Premier League. From our point of view, we're disappointed to lose a game of football but great credit goes to the players for the job spec. We nullified them in many areas, we had a goal disallowed, I've not seen that back yet, so we'll only grow from that as a group of people."

"Absolutely (there are positives to take)," he added. "I thought in the first half we had to keep our shape. It was obviously a mistake that led to our goal, which I don't mind as it's a positive mistake. He'll grow from that, that's why he's out on loan.

"Second half we grew up the pitch a little more but we just needed a bit more quality in the final third, need better decisions. It'll only help enhance the group individually. It's the first time some of these have played in the FA Cup and against top opposition."




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-1-0-rotherham-flw-report-as-bobby-de-cordova-reid-sends-millers-out/

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Fulham 1-0 Rotherham: Bobby Decordova-Reid seals FA Cup progress
Cottagers remain alive in both domestic cup competitions

A Bobby De Cordova-Reid stunner saw Fulham beat Rotherham 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage.

The Jamaica international capitalised on a mistake and scored his second in as many games after Sunday's winner during Fulham's 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League.

Victory for Marco Silva's men has kept them in both cup competitions ahead of Fulham's Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Liverpool later this month.

A cagey first few minutes in west London saw Andreas Pereira showcase his quick feet before his driven shot cannoned off a defender. Fulham appealed for a handball but referee Simon Hooper waved them away and a corner was given.

Rotherham had little to show for their efforts, and their low defensive line invited pressure in the 20th minute.

Fulham's De Cordova-Reid threatened with a cross and the Cottagers' Championship opponents were fortunate to not go a goal down from the following corner when Rodrigo Muniz's effort was blocked.

De Cordova-Reid opened the scoring in spectacular fashion after 24 minutes.

Rotherham's attempt to play the ball out from the back ran into trouble when Harry Wilson's press forced a turnover and De Cordova-Reid's long-range effort flew past Viktor Johansson into the top left corner.

A lethargic Rotherham rarely ventured into Fulham's territory but Jordan Hugill's offside goal from a Tom Eaves cross added to their frustrations.

Fulham nearly doubled their lead in the 42nd minute but Pereira was denied by a post.

Right-back Kenny Tete marauded forward and delivered a dangerous cross to the unmarked Pereira, who struck the ball into the ground before it cannoned off a post and into the path of Harrison Reed, whose close-range shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Fulham continued to be lively after the break. The dangerous Tete surged forward and his drilled cross caused Rotherham keeper Johansson to fumble the ball. The Swedish international's blushes were saved when he made a stop from six yards out.

The hosts slowed the game down and dominated the ball but the game burst into life through Issa Diop after 76 minutes.

The centre-back picked up the ball and cut through Rotherham's midfield before a neat combination with Timothy Castagne saw the towering defender's first-time strike narrowly miss the target.

Fulham countered from a corner during five added minutes but Carlos Vinicius' shot was saved after Willian squared it to him.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-vs-rotherham-fa-cup-result-today-2024-b1130609.html

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Fulham 1-0 Rotherham: Cottagers first team to advance in FA Cup after De Cordova-Reid winner
Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored the only goal of the game as Fulham edged past Championship side Rotherham in the third round of the FA Cup.

The Jamaica international capitalised on a mistake and scored his second in as many games after Sunday's winner during Fulham's 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League.

Victory for Marco Silva's men has kept them in both cup competitions ahead of Fulham's Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Liverpool later this month.

A cagey first few minutes in west London saw Andreas Pereira showcase his quick feet before his driven shot cannoned off a defender. Fulham appealed for a handball but referee Simon Hooper waved them away and a corner was given.

Rotherham had little to show for their efforts, and their low defensive line invited pressure in the 20th minute.

Fulham's De Cordova-Reid threatened with a cross and the Cottagers' Championship opponents were fortunate to not go a goal down from the following corner when Rodrigo Muniz's effort was blocked.

De Cordova-Reid opened the scoring in spectacular fashion after 24 minutes.

Rotherham's attempt to play the ball out from the back ran into trouble when Harry Wilson's press forced a turnover and De Cordova-Reid's long-range effort flew past Viktor Johansson into the top left corner.

A lethargic Rotherham rarely ventured into Fulham's territory but Jordan Hugill's offside goal from a Tom Eaves cross added to their frustrations.

Fulham nearly doubled their lead in the 42nd minute but Pereira was denied by a post.

Right-back Kenny Tete marauded forward and delivered a dangerous cross to the unmarked Pereira, who struck the ball into the ground before it cannoned off a post and into the path of Harrison Reed, whose close-range shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Fulham continued to be lively after the break. The dangerous Tete surged forward and his drilled cross caused Rotherham keeper Johansson to fumble the ball. The Swedish international's blushes were saved when he made a stop from six yards out.

The hosts slowed the game down and dominated the ball but the game burst into life through Issa Diop after 76 minutes.

The centre-back picked up the ball and cut through Rotherham's midfield before a neat combination with Timothy Castagne saw the towering defender's first-time strike narrowly miss the target.

Fulham countered from a corner during five added minutes but Carlos Vinicius' shot was saved after Willian squared it to him.



https://www.football365.com/news/report-fulham-1-0-rotherham-de-cordova-reid-winner-fa-cup

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Roberto Firmino could reunite with two ex-Liverpool team-mates in Premier League return
Roberto Firmino quit Liverpool last summer to join the Saudi Arabian bandwagon but the Brazilian forward could return to the Premier League in the January transfer window

Fulham have been offered the chance to sign Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino, who could leave Saudi Arabia in the January transfer window.

Firmino, 32, walked away from Anfield last summer following the expiry of his contract, joining Saudi side Al-Ahli on a free transfer. After 17 appearances in the Saudi Pro League, in which he's scored three goals and registered two assists, the Brazilian forward is now being linked with a return to the Premier League which could see him reunite with two ex-Liverpool team-mates.

According to TalkSPORT, Fulham are one of several Premier League clubs who've been given the opportunity to sign Firmino just six months after he swapped Merseysdie for the Middle East. It's added that relegation-battling Sheffield United were interested in a swoop for the former Hoffenheim star before manager Paul Heckingbottom was sacked and replaced by Chris Wilder.

At Fulham, though, Firmino could reunite with some familiar faces. Anfield youth product Harry Wilson is already at Craven Cottage, making himself a crucial cog in Marco Silva's system and becoming a regular starter for Wales at international level.

Then comes Fabio Carvalho, who Liverpool signed from Fulham in 2022. The Portuguese playmaker has just been recalled from a loan with RB Leipzig in which he made 15 appearances, having failed to find a settled role in east Germany.

Fulham have notably been linked with a loan move for Carvalho alongside Championship league leaders Leicester City. But the 21-year-old's return to the Premier League - with a side other than Liverpool - would still be far less of a surprise than Firmino's.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/roberto-firmino-liverpool-fulham-saudi-31818894

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Marco Silva lauds 'top professional' Bobby De Cordova-Reid after Fulham win
De Cordova-Reid's 24th-minute long-range stunner was the difference on the night.

Marco Silva lauded "top professional" Bobby De Cordova-Reid and said he deserves his recent success after he scored the only goal during Fulham's 1-0 win over Rotherham in the FA Cup third round.

De Cordova-Reid's 24th-minute long-range stunner was the difference on the night and marked his second in as many games after his winner in Fulham's 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League.

And Silva, who previously hailed De Cordova-Reid's leadership, believes his goal will lift his confidence after he netted his fifth of the season.

Silva said: "He deserves it because he's a top professional, he's a vocal guy and one of the great examples we have at the club in terms of focus, able to play in any position and he's always there.

"He deserves all the credit and he deserves these good moments and good weeks.

"It's important for us and him because he needs these type of moments to lift his confidence and he needs the confidence to keep going in the direction we want him to be.

"Bobby has the capacity to score and tonight it was a great strike from him."

Fulham played eight matches in December and they will also have a busy January schedule with a Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool coming later this month.

Silva credited his side's effort in recent weeks and acknowledged the busy weeks ahead.

Fulham will also play west London rivals Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League.

Silva added: "It's a great sign for us as a football club and our fans should be proud of us that we've started (the season) well.

"We have kept the club in all the competitions, it was a tough and busy December and we will have another tough month for us.

"It is really important for us to win tonight and not have a possible replay."

Rotherham boss Leam Richardson believes his side, who sit bottom of the Championship, will grow after the defeat.The Millers had little to show for their efforts on the night but came close when Jordan Hugill's attempt was ruled out for offside.Richardson said: "Congratulations to Fulham. We are disappointed when we lose a game but great credit goes to the players, we nullified them in many areas and had a disallowed goal so we will only grow from that as a group."



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/marco-silva-fulham-premier-championship-arsenal-b2474116.html

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Silva hails De Cordova-Reid after Fulham's FA Cup win
Marco Silva paid tribute to Bobby De Cordova-Reid after his superb strike clinched a 1-0 win over Rotherham to book Fulham's spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

De Cordova-Reid, who scored the winning goal against Arsenal on New Year's Day, picked out the top corner in the first half in one of the few highlights of a dour affair, as a much-changed Whites side warmed up for Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool with a scruffy win.

"Bobby is a top professional, he is a vocal guy and a great example in our club," boss Silva said.

"He is always ready to play in any position, always there for the team and he deserves all the credit that comes his way."

Championship strugglers Rotherham offered little attacking threat but defended well to frustrate the home side.

"It was job done most and that was the most important thing," Silva said.

"It was a professional performance we were clearly the best team.

"They had no shots on goal and Marek (Rodak) never had a save to make.

"As a performance, it was not the best, but we got the result."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-hails-de-cordova-reid-after-fulhams-fa-cup-win

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De Cordova-Reid drills Fulham into round four
Bobby De Cordova-Reid's second winner in less than a week ensured Fulham safely made it into the hat for the fourth round draw of the FA Cup, but Marco Silva's side were pushed all the way by a battling Rotherham United outfit, who sit rock bottom of the Championship.

The Jamaican international, who cast further doubt on Arsenal's title challenge with a predatory winner against the Gunners on Saturday, punished more poor defending here as he drilled a finish high into the net after Leam Richardson's side were caught trying to play out from the back. The Millers would have rued that defensive lapse when reflecting on a narrow defeat here, as their well-organised defence kept the home side at bay for the remainder of the ninety minutes, and they created several chances of their own having grown in confidence as a forgettable contest went on.

Rotherham's hardy travelling support made an arduous journey south more in hope than expectation having not won away from home in 28 games, a run stretching back to November 2022. But they have improved under Richardson and, on another night, might easily have taken advantage of Silva's decision to make eight changes from the starting line-up that surprised Arsenal – with a League Cup semi-final against Liverpool looming largely on the horizon. The visitors had the game's first chance when Jordan Hugill headed a long throw from Sean Morrison into the side netting and, although Hugill had the ball in the net after touching home a cross from Tom Eaves, the equaliser was correctly chalked off for offside.

Fulham saw plenty of the ball but did very little with it until Harry Wilson snapped into a challenge on Seb Revan after goalkeeper Viktor Johansson had been asked to deal with an overly intricate back pass from Morrison. The ball broke kindly for De Cordova-Reid, who rifled home a powerful shot from 20 yards out to end lingering Fulham frustration at their lack of cutting edge despite some pretty approach play. Rotherham appeared unable to learn from being the architects of their own difficulties, with Wilson again forcing another iffy pass out from the back, although Rodrigo Muniz was off target with his snapshot.

The Premier League should have been comfortably clear of any jeopardy look before the break. Kenny Tete sauntered down the right flank and cut an intelligent ball back for the recalled Andreas Pereira, but the Brazilian's effort came back off the post and Reval reacted quickest to repel Harrison Reed's follow-up. Fulham continued to ask the questions at the start of the second period but Pereira curled a free-kick over from the edge of the box before Reed saw his shot deflected wide by a sliding Morrison after Timothy Castagne had picked the captain out.

Harry Wilson then tested the Swedish keeper's reflexes with a curler from distance, but Fulham failed to take advantage when he failed to gather a routine cross from Tete, with goalkeeper recovering to bravely block Muniz's effort from the rebound at his near post. Johansson further redeemed himself with a fine reaction save to keep out a powerful header from Tosin Adarabioyo, but Fulham struggled to create many more opportunities after Richardson made a triple substitution.

One of the substitutes, Sam Nombe, nearly punished a mistake from Reed on the halfway line but the Fulham midfielder recovered in the nick of time, before Marek Rodak – who enjoyed two successful loan spells with the Millers earlier in his career – juggled a Morrison long throw. Rotherham kept pushing until the end with Ollie Rathbone seeing a shot blocked after another Morrison throw had caused carnage in the Fulham area. The visitors could have paid the penalty for throwing caution to the wind at the death, but substitute Carlos Vinicius criminally failed to convert a clever cut back from Willian after a lightning Fulham break.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete, Castagne (A. Robinson 82), Adarabioyo, Tosin; Lukic, Reed (Cairney 74); Wilson (Willian 74), De Cordova-Reid, Pereira (Francois 74); Muniz (Vinicius 73). Subs (not used): Benda, de Fougerolles, Palhinha, Jimenez.

ROTHERHAM UNITED (5-3-2): Johansson; Lembikisa (Appiah 81), Odofin, Revan, Morrison, Bramall (Peltier 55); Lindsay, Cafu (Rathbone 64), Clucas (C. Tiehi 64); Eaves (Nombe 64), Hugill. Subs (not used): Phillips, Kelly, McGuckin, Bola.

REFEREE: Simon Hooper (Swindon).

ATTENDANCE: 15,803



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/de-cordova-reid-drills-fulham-into-round-four/

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Silva salutes 'top professional' De Cordova-Reid
Marco Silva singled out Bobby De Cordova-Reid as 'a top professional' after the winger's venomous strike was enough to see off Championship strugglers Rotherham United in the FA Cup at Craven Cottage this evening.

The Fulham head coach highlighted the importance of the Jamaican international within his squad and told the press that the former Bristol City forward deserved his recent success, with this effort coming hot of the heels of his winner against Premier League title contenders Arsenal on Sunday.

Silva said:

"He deserves it because he's a top professional, he's a vocal guy and one of the great examples we have at the club in terms of focus, able to play in any position and he's always there. He deserves all the credit and he deserves these good moments and good weeks.

It's important for us and him because he needs these type of moments to lift his confidence and he needs the confidence to keep going in the direction we want him to be. Bobby has the capacity to score and tonight it was a great strike from him."

The Fulham boss admitted the Whites did not hit the heights that they could have done – but believed his side fully merited their progression into the fourth round.

"Job done, which was the most important thing for us really. Professional performance, we clearly deserved to go through in the competition. It was our obligation to control the game the way we did, to not give almost anything for them. I don't remember one save from Marek, no shots on target from them. When you make eight changes from one XI to the other, of course it always has an impact from a performance point of view.

We deserve to be in the next round. Clean sheet is always important. I think we did control well their direct game, you know there will be long throw-ins in our box as well, all that stuff. I think, from a defensive point of view, we did control well. In terms of performance, it wasn't the best, but was enough to go through and to control really well the game."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/silva-salutes-top-professional-de-cordova-reid/

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Fulham 1-0 Rotherham United: Decordova-Reid hits from range to see off Championship strugglers
Seeking to avoid an 18th consecutive away defeat in the FA Cup, Rotherham United ventured to Fulham's Craven Cottage on Thursday to dispute a 2023/24 Third Round tie.

FUL: Rodak; Tete, Diop, Adarabioyo, Castagne; Reed, Lukic; Wilson, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; Muniz

ROT: Johansson; Bramall, Odoffin, Morrison, Revan, Lembikisa; Cafu, Clucas, Lindsay; Eaves, Hugill

The only goal of the game was scored by Jamaican international Bobby Decordova-Reid in the 24th minute.

He pounced onto a poor pass out of defence from Rotherham defender Seb Revan, before firing an unstoppable drive into the top left corner from outside the box.

Bobby Decordova-Reid drew level with Raúl Jiménez as the Cottagers top scorer this season with his 5th goal in all competitions.

Fulham could have made it two when Andreas Pereira hit the left hand post of Viktor Johansson's goal in the 42nd minute.

Rotherham manager Leam Richardson predicted this fixture would be a 'healthy challenge' for his side. They did well to limit their Premier League opponents to one goal.

They did hit the back of the net once during the match however, Jordan Hugill's goal was disallowed for an offside call.

Millers left back Cohen Bramall was taken off due to injury. He scored the winning goal in what remains Richardson's only win in charge of the club.

Fulham travel to Anfield on Wednesday in their next match for the first leg of their EFL Cup semi final against Liverpool. Rotherham face Stoke City at home next Saturday.



https://fromthespot.co.uk/6881/fulham-1-0-rotherham-united-decordova-reid-hits-from-range-to-see-off-championship-strugglers/