Sunday Fulham Stuff - 28/01/24...

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Fulham 0-2 Newcastle United
Newcastle booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a laboured victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

A controversial first-half goal from Sean Longstaff set the visitors on their way, with the midfielder sweeping a left-foot effort into the bottom right corner after the ball deflected into his path off the arm of team-mate Bruno Guimaraes.

The hosts were aggrieved by the decision, with several home players complaining to referee Jarred Gillett before the goal was confirmed by a video assistant referee check.

Dan Burn doubled Newcastle's lead just after the hour mark, lashing in from close range against his former employers when home goalkeeper Marek Rodak could only parry Sven Botman's header.

At that point, Fulham had looked the more likely to level against an unconvincing and seemingly weary Newcastle side.

Marco Silva's much-changed team were the more fluent throughout but despite largely controlling possession, lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Rodrigo Muniz's early effort, which was well saved by Magpies goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, accounted for one of their best moments, while substitute Raul Jimenez was unable to direct Kenny Tete's cross from the right on target from close range.

The draw for the next round of the competition will take place on Sunday.

Fulham's exit two cup competitions in same week
Silva made seven alterations to the side that started against Liverpool as they exited the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage on Wednesday.

While their could be few complaints about their general play, they were found wanting at both ends of the pitch as their hopes of a Wembley final this season were again dashed.

Muniz, 22, who started in place of Jimenez, had just one effort on target and often found himself isolated as the hosts struggled to break down their opponents.

And while Tete's marauding runs from right-back appeared to be their best source of inspiration, they left it too late to introduce Jimenez and Joao Palhinha.

Silva will also be disappointed by a first-half injury to Harry Wilson and the manner in which his side conceded, with both Newcastle's goals originating from corners and Botman left totally unmarked for the second.

Newcastle grind to victory
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will be delighted by their progress in a competition they have not won since 1955.

The visitors had lost their previous seven FA Cup matches against top-flight opposition and have been going through a sticky patch, losing their past four Premier League matches.

With Miguel Almiron ruled out through illness, his replacement Jacob Murphy should have done better with an early chance gifted to him by Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Antonee Robinson.

And he was also well offside when he latched on to a through ball and drove the ball past Rodak into the far corner.

However, Longstaff's goal initially gave them something to hold on to and Burn's goal ensured a grinding victory.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68110798

[WhiteJC]

Post-Newcastle Press Conference
Marco Silva was frustrated at the preventable nature of the goals that led to Fulham's Emirates FA Cup exit.

Newcastle United scored from a corner in each half to progress to Round Five, but neither was without controversy – a hand was involved in the first, while there's an argument that the second should have been a goal kick.

"It's clearly our fault that we are not in the next round of the FA Cup, because mistakes against teams with this quality and this size can punish you," Silva explained. "That first corner when we conceded the goal, no communication or decision, and they scored.

"You can talk about handball but it's something that I cannot control. I can talk even about the second – it's not even a corner, it's a goal-kick. It is what it is. These situations you cannot control and I don't want to go in that direction.

"Clearly we have to do much better in both situations to win a football match because the players probably deserved a result, but when you are punished by these mistakes, it's our fault and you have to be strong in both situations.

"We controlled, for 60-70 minutes, almost all the game, the way we pressed really high and strongly. We didn't give Newcastle the chance for them to settle their game, to start from the back like they normally do, because we pressed them really well.

"The players understood really well that situation, credit for our players, but then we have to do the other part, that is to be clinical in our attack line, taking the right decisions when you are so many times in dangerous areas, and we didn't."

Harry Wilson had been a real threat in the first half but was withdrawn before the break through injury.

"Seems not good, but we have to wait a little bit more," Silva said. "His shoulder doesn't look good, but we have to wait some more hours, days probably. [After] more exams it's going to be more clear for us to give you the right feedback."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/january/27/post-newcastle-press-conference/

[WhiteJC]

Why Fulham lost to Newcastle United – Marco Silva
Marco Silva has been explaining why his Fulham side lost to Newcastle United.

Goals in each half, from Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn respectively, settling the issue.

Newcastle United in the hat for the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Marco Silva speaking after Fulham 0 Newcastle 2:

"That is football sometimes.

"You play well but the key moments were not clear for us and that is our fault.

"The chances that we did create, with the amount that we created, we should have been more ruthless.

"We arrived so many times in dangerous areas that we have to better decide the last action, the pass, or the finish.

"We have to be stronger in these situations, on the set-pieces and with our finishing.

 We have to be in the right mindset, which we were, if you want to be in the next round, but we lost.

Congratulations to Newcastle.

"They played the best way they could tonight.

"We were the better team but, again, we were punished by the details.

"The fact we are not there in the next round is our fault."

Stats via BBC Sport:

Fulham 0 Newcastle 2 – Saturday 27 January 2024 7pm:

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Longstaff 39, Burn 61

Fulham:

Possession was Fulham 56% Newcastle 44%

Total shots were Fulham 14 Newcastle 8

Shots on target were Fulham 2 Newcastle 6

Corners were Fulham 10 Newcastle 5

Attendance: 18,960 (Approx 6,000 Newcastle – Incl in home sections)

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Newcastle team v Fulham:

Dubravka, Trippier (Krafth 86), Schar, Botman, Burn, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Miley, Murphy (Livramento 75), Isak, Gordon (Ritchie 90+4)

Unused subs:

Karius, Dummett, Hall, A Murphy, Parkinson, Hernes



https://www.themag.co.uk/2024/01/why-fulham-lost-to-newcastle-united-marco-silva/

[WhiteJC]

Burn buries feeble Fulham
The spectre of a once celebrated Serbian centre forward still looms large over Craven Cottage. Aleksandar Mitrovic scored 111 goals in 206 games for Fulham, but the former Newcastle number nine's departure for Saudi Arabia – and the lack of a replacement – has hindered Marco Silva's attempts to build on a stellar first season back in the top flight. If a performance could have been designed to show why the Whites badly need a new striker, it would have been this one that saw them exit the FA Cup 74 hours after pushing Liverpool all the way in the League Cup semi-final.

Silva made eight changes from the side that started the second leg on Wednesday night, but Fulham looked far more fluent than Eddie Howe's horribly out-of-form and injury-hit Newcastle. They played the more progressive football and created the clearer chances, but couldn't score a goal to reward such enterprise. Newcastle, perhaps a little rusty after a fortnight off, were much more clinical and grew in confidence once Sean Longstaff had lashed home a half-cleared corner six minutes before the break. The ball fell fortunately for the midfielder having hit Bruno Guimaraes arm, but because it was North Shields schemer who scored, the allowed the strike to stand.

There was more pain in the second half for the hosts, who continued to make the running and saw a stunning Willian strike ruled out for offside, but were punished by Dan Burn. The boy from Blyth got his top flight break when Fulham took the gangly centre half, who had been rejected by Newcastle, from Darlington to Motspur Park. Burn worked his way back from being let go by Slavisa Jokanovic in 2016, to return to St. James' Park after a brilliant Brighton spell and scored his second goal against his old club in six weeks by following up after Marek Rodak had superbly saved Sven Botman's header from another corner.

You knew it wasn't going to Fulham's night when Tom Cairney sliced horribly wide from ten yards out having been teed up by a rampaging Tosin Adarabioyo in stoppage time. There was none of the red-hot atmosphere that had the Cottage bouncing in midweek, with thousands of season-ticket holders opting to stay away in protest at Fulham's price-gouging. Those who did pay £40 for the privilege probably regretted it. Rodrigo Muniz blazed over in the third minute wasting lovely link up play between Harrison Reed and Harry Wilson, who was forced off before half time with a serious shoulder injury.

The Welsh winger, who had almost single-handedly brought Fulham back into the League Cup tie after coming off the bench on Wednesday, was winning the battle with Burn hands down. After a defensive mix-up gifted Jacob Murphy a great chance to put Newcastle in front, Wilson rolled a cross into the path of Muniz, whose first time strike was superbly saved by Martin Dubravka. The Brazilian then saw another effort deflect wide off Botman, but once Wilson struggled with his shoulder, Newcastle seized the lead.

There was plenty to like about Longstaff's technique as he found the far corner but the award of the goal enraged Fulham's players and a seething Silva. It could have been worse for the Whites at half time as Murphy had the ball in the net only for that goal to be ruled out for offside. Andreas Pereira sprinted half the length of the field in added time but lost his composure after reaching the Newcastle area, skewing a left-footed shot wastefully wide.

Fulham's bright start to the second half, which saw them demand a penalty for handball against Burn, counted for nothing once he doubled the lead for Howe's charges. Issa Diop, a goalscoring hero three days ago, made a magnificent saving tackle to prevent the pacey Anthony Gordon from making it three before Silva sent on a host of replacements, including Raul Jimenez, who headed over from a Kenny Tete cross after beating Botman in the air.

This was a gritty victory for Newcastle, but another kick in the teeth for Fulham. Silva has taken the proverbial yo-yo club to the relatively gritty heights of mid-table and the latter stages of two cup competitions in two years but his commitment and enterprise will count for little if investment in a small and ageing squad isn't forthcoming.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete, A. Robinson, Diop (Adarabioyo 71), Ream; Reed (Palhinha 71), Lukic; Wilson (Willian 45+1), De Cordova-Reid (Jimenez 71), Pereira (Cairney 65); Muniz. Subs (not used): Benda, Francois, Vinicius.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier (Krafth 86), Burn, Schar, Botman; Guimaraes, Miley, S. Longstaff; J. Murphy (Livramento 75), Gordon (Ritchie 90+4), Isak. Subs (not used): Karius, Dummett, Hall, A. Murphy, Parkinson, Hernes.

BOOKED: Schar.

GOALS: S. Longstaff (39), Burn (61).

REFEREE: Jared Gillett (Australia).

ATTENDANCE: 18,960.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/burn-buries-feeble-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon
Nigeria reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after Ademola Lookman scored twice to beat a disappointing Cameroon 2-0 in the last 16 in Abidjan.

The Atalanta forward opened the scoring nine minutes before the break after Victor Osimhen forced Oumar Gonzalez into a mistake and then teed up Lookman to fire past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, who was preferred to Andre Onana.

Former England Under-21s forward Lookman sealed the win in the 90th minute after one of the game's best moves, volleying home Calvin Bassey's cutback to spark huge celebrations among the three-time champions.

Despite introducing Vincent Aboubakar, top scorer at the 2021 tournament, late on for his first appearance after a muscle injury sustained on the eve of the finals, Cameroon failed to register a shot on target.

The Super Eagles will meet Angola, who impressed in a 3-0 win over Namibia earlier, in the last eight on Friday, also in the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.

Cameroon coach Rigobert Song will face serious pressure back home following his latest failure, having exited the 2022 World Cup at the group stage.

Cameroon football federation president Samuel Eto'o, who was watching on from the stands, will now have to decide whether to retain or dismiss his former team-mate.

Playing in the stadium where they won the first of their five continental crowns, beating Nigeria in the 1984 final, the Indomitable Lions looked disjointed throughout, as they have been for much of the tournament.

Cameroon have seen off the West Africans in three Nations Cup finals, but the Super Eagles often have the better of their meetings when they meet earlier on.

Nigeria's victory, thoroughly deserved after outplaying their rivals, was their second over Cameroon at this stage of the tournament in the past three editions, having won 3-2 in Egypt in 2019.

Super Eagles dominate in Abidjan
Matches between African heavyweights can often descend into laboured affairs and, with Cameroon failing to impress as a cohesive unit, it was left to a determined Nigeria to energetically take the game to their opponents.

The Super Eagles thought they had opened the scoring after just nine minutes when defender Semi Ajayi fired home only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following an excellent spot by the Video Assistant Referee.

Nonetheless, after Ondoa twice failed to clear the danger with his punches, the television cameras often turned to Onana, who flew out to Ivory Coast on a private jet after playing for Manchester United on the eve of Cameroon's opener only to feature just once at the finals.

The opener came after Gonzalez was muscled off the ball by the excellent Osimhen, who worked tirelessly throughout and played in Lookman for a low finish which squirmed in under the body of Ondoa.

Despite the lack of goal threat, Song's sole tactical change with the game in the balance was to throw on Aboubakar late on.

Yet the striker, who scored the winner in the 2017 Nations Cup final and netted eight goals in the tournament two years ago, struggled to get into the game as he made his first outing after injury.

Instead, Nigeria could have doubled their lead late on when Lookman teed up Ola Aina, whose close-range effort was denied by a smart block by Nouhou Tolo, one of the few Cameroonians to impress on the night.

In his most productive game in a Nigeria shirt, former Everton and Leicester City man Lookman made sure of the win in the last minute after Fulham's Alex Iwobi fed club colleague Bassey whose cross allowed the unmarked forward to beat Ondoa again.

While delighted to make it through such a challenging clash on paper, Nigeria will be concerned by an injury to goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

He was stretchered off after an uncomfortable landing in the second half following a collision with Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, who was booked for the reckless challenge.

Having failed repeatedly as a coach with Cameroon - exiting in the group stages of the 2018 African Nations Championship, the 2019 Under-23 Afcon and the World Cup in Qatar - Song's coaching credentials have come under intense scrutiny, with many feeling his time is up.

The only question is surely not if, but when the axe will finally fall on the defiant 47-year-old, who won two Afcon titles as a player with the Indomitable Lions.

"I am a fighter. I like difficult decisions," Song said.

"I have a contract, I will have time to now take a break, take stock before making any decision."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68039712

[WhiteJC]

Marco Silva bemoans decision to allow Newcastle goals to stand in Fulham's FA Cup defeat
Fulham head coach Marco Silva felt that neither of Newcastle's goals should have been allowed to stand in Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat.

Newcastle's opener towards the end of the first half saw the ball strike Bruno Guimaraes on the arm before Sean Longstaff turned home, and Silva believed the corner from which Dan Burn scored in the second half should have been given as a goal-kick by referee Jarred Gillett.

Current FA laws state that goals should only be disallowed if the ball accidentally strikes the arm of the player who scores, not if the handball occurs in the build-up to a goal.

"They scored with a handball and that is not something I can control," said Silva. "For me, it is handball. The decision from the referee was not in that direction.

"Clearly we have to do much better in both situations. When you are punished by these mistakes it's our fault."

Silva's frustration was only added to by his side's inability to take their chances in a game in which they had 14 shots but only found the target twice.

The Whites conceded in each half, with Kenny Tete and Bobby De Cordova-Reid getting in each other's way to allow Longstaff to score before Sven Botman was allowed a free header in the lead up to Burn's goal.

The defeat means they bowed out of the FA Cup just four days after their EFL Cup adventure came to an end against Liverpool just one match short of a trip to Wembley.

"The stats show that we were the dominant team on the pitch," said Silva.

"We started on the front foot and were the team that were always closer to creating chances and scoring goals.

"Football is not just about that. We have to be ruthless to put the ball in the net.

"We probably deserved much more than we got. But the reality is that we lost, and we are not in the next round because of the mistakes that we made."



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/marco-silva-bemoans-decision-to-allow-newcastle-goals-to-stand-in-fulhams-fa-cup-defeat/

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Marco Silva storms out of press conference after expressing discontent with VAR involving Newcastle's goals
Fulham head coach Marco Silva expressed his dissatisfaction with the officiating in Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat against Newcastle.

Silva believed that neither of Newcastle's goals should have been allowed to stand. He contested that the opener, scored by Sean Longstaff, came after the ball struck Bruno Guimaraes' arm, and he also felt that the corner from which Dan Burn scored in the second half should have been awarded as a goal-kick by referee Jarred Gillett.

As per current FA laws, goals should only be disallowed if the ball accidentally strikes the arm of the player who directly scores the goal, not if a handball occurs in the build-up to the goal.

Silva's frustration was compounded by his team's failure to capitalise on their chances, as they managed 14 shots but only hit the target twice.

Fulham conceded in each half, with defensive mishaps contributing to Newcastle's goals. Kenny Tete and Bobby De Cordova-Reid got in each other's way, allowing Longstaff to score, while Sven Botman was given a free header in the lead-up to Burn's goal.

Silva said in his post-match reaction: "They scored with a handball and that is not something I can control. For me, it is handball. The decision from the referee was not in that direction."

The Fulham boss then proceeded to storm out of the post-match press conference.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/01/27/fulham-boss-marco-silva-storms-out-of-press-conference-after-expressing-discontent-with-var-involving-newcastles-goals/

[WhiteJC]

Silva seeks 'agreement' on ticket prices
Marco Silva has urged the Fulham board to reach agreement with protesting fans over ticket prices after thousands stayed away for tonight's defeat by Newcastle United.

Fulham's exit from the FA Cup was watched by just 18,960 supporters and Silva contrasted the sedate Craven Cottage atmosphere with the backing his side received against Liverpool on Wednesday night. He told BeinSPORT's Carrie Brown:

"As you know, the price is not under my control. What I'd like to to have an agreement because I know that if the stadium is full, we are going to be stronger. What I can ask is for everybody to be in the same direction; everybody to be around each other, helping each other because we need the fans here. We don't need the fans angry. We need the fans with us from the first moment until the last one like they were last Wednesday. The stadium was bouncing. It was difficult for Liverpool to deal with that situation.

It was probably a little bit easier for Newcastle, but I know that if the stadium is fall and the fans are in a good mood, they are with the team, it is going to be much more difficult for the opposition and much better for our players. What I would like to see is clear ... an agreement or something between the clubs and the fans for everybody to be happy because we need them behind us"



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/silva-seeks-agreement-on-ticket-prices/

[WhiteJC]

Ream finds defeat 'tough to take'
Tim Ream found Fulham's FA Cup exit at the hands of Newcastle United 'tough to take' – but the centre back tried to take the positives from his return to action from a calf complaint.

The American veteran came through ninety minutes unscathed after six weeks on the sidelines and stressed the importance of competition for places, especially as Calvin Bassey helped set up a crucial second goal that sent Nigeria into the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations. Ream, who was handed the captain's armband by Marco Silva, told FFCTV:

"It's a frustrating one. We gave up two set-pieces. I'd argue that the second one shouldn't even have been a corner; neither here nor there at that point. First half, we were all over them really. It was just a shame that, as the manager says, we got the details wrong on two set pieces and then concede. To have it be from a static situation where you are prepared, you are set up, you're all in position and still to concede, it hurts a little more."

Ream was also disappointed by the soft nature of the goals Fulham conceded, particularly Sean Longstaff's opener that came against the run of play and immediately after a handball by Bruno Guimeraes

"That was touched upon in the dressing room. The argument from some was that the referee saw the handball in the first place so why didn't he blow [for] it? Again, by the letter of the law the person who handballs it, doesn't score – so they check it and the goal stands. Again, you concede just before half time, it's a tough one to take.

It seems so obvious but goals change games. If one of those chances in the first half – Rodrigo's that the keeper makes a fingertip, if that goes in, if there's not an offside call and Willian's stands, the game changes. Goals change games. They got the first one. We huffed and puffed and didn't quite do enough to put the ball in the net."

Ream's return to first-team action was one of the few highlights of a frustrating evening for the Fulham faithful.

"I'm a little fatigued but it feels good to be back on there. It's been a tough six to seven weeks, rehabbing and making sure that I get back fit and able to play and contribute. Unfortunately, it comes in a loss but I'm happy to be back and happy to part of the team and playing ninety minutes again. We need competition everywhere, that's something that the manager has always preached. Being able to come back and play ninety minutes in the first game, puts that competition in place, gives different options for the way we went to play and keeps other teams on their toes as well. I'm happy to be back."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/ream-finds-defeat-tough-to-take/

[WhiteJC]

Lee Dixon says 27-year-old Fulham player looked like he was 'towing a caravan' vs Newcastle
Fulham have seen both cup runs come to an end in the space of four days after suffering a defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday night, with Sasa Lukic handed a rare start.

Marco Silva decided to make sweeping changes to the team that drew with Liverpool on Wednesday after narrowly missing out on a trip to Wembley.

However, commentating on the match for ITV, Lee Dixon wasn't overly impressed with the Serbian international.

Rodrigo Muniz made a rare start while Silva was able to reintroduce Tim Ream to the starting line-up.

Goalkeeper Marek Rodak was in between the sticks once again and made several good stops.

Fulham were the better team for much of the match but simply lacked that cutting edge in the final third.

Muniz was lively but never displayed that striker's instinct that Fulham desperately needed, while Harry Wilson going off injured before half-time is a real concern.

Silva handed Joao Palhinha a rest which meant Sasa Lukic was brought in alongside Harrison Reed for Fulham against Newcastle yesterday.

He looked a bit short of match sharpness which isn't a surprise considering how little he's played in recent months.

Dixon was quick to point out that he didn't look quite up to the pace of the game in the first half.

However, he is far from at fault for a second consecutive cup defeat at the Cottage this week.

Lukic looked slow for Fulham against Newcastle
During a rare foray forward for the visitors in the first half, Lukic stepped in for Antonee Robinson at left-back after the American international had pushed up the pitch.

He managed to thwart a Newcastle attack, however, Dixon said: "Didn't look very mobile then [Sasa] Lukic. He looked like he was towing a caravan tracking back then!"

While a holding midfielder isn't required to be quick across the pitch, Silva tends to put a lot of emphasis on his number six covering large swathes of the pitch.

Alongside Harrison Reed, there was less need for Lukic to cover as much ground as Palhinha normally does for Fulham against Newcastle.

However, he didn't deliver the killer long passes that the Portuguese regularly plays to relieve pressure and shift the ball out wide when required.

Unquestionably, Fulham's performances dip when Palhinha isn't in the team and it's unfair to expect Lukic to be able to match his levels.

He played his best football for his previous club Torino in a more advanced position so being forced to shield the back four possibly doesn't get the best out of the 27-year-old.

Unfortunately, with Fulham now out of both cups, it's hard to see Lukic playing too many more minutes this season.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/01/28/lee-dixon-says-27-year-old-fulham-player-looked-like-he-was-towing-a-caravan-vs-newcastle/

[WhiteJC]

Bassey and Iwobi lead Nigeria into last eight
Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi had starring roles last night as Nigeria beat Cameroon 2-0 to reach the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations.

Former Fulham winger Ademola Lookman scored both goals, with Bassey winning the free-kick that led to the crucial second on 90 minutes after showing some silky skills down the left wing. Iwobi created what Nigeria thought was the opening goal for Seyi Ajayi but his finish was ruled out following a VAR review.

The Super Eagles, who have conceded only one goal in their four matches at the tournament, will play Angola in the last eight on Friday.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/bassey-and-iwobi-lead-nigeria-into-last-eight/

[filham]

Silva should not waste his time complaining about the officials decisions on the two goals we conceded , he would be better employed on finding a solution to our poor showing in attack, another game without a Fulham goal.

[Luka]

Silva should not waste his time complaining about the officials decisions on the two goals we conceded , he would be better employed on finding a solution to our poor showing in attack, another game without a Fulham goal.

Marco cannot polish a turd and currently he three of them floating around in the squad.