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Sunday Fulham Stuff 18.04.15

Started by Friendsoffulham, April 18, 2015, 08:52:28 PM

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Friendsoffulham

Fulham boss Kit Symons on how his team beat Blackpool - and former Whites pal Lee Clark

'We deserved the luck' says Fulham manager


Happy boss: Symons

Kit Symons admitted he rode his luck against his old Fulham pal's team.

But a 1-0 win over Lee Clark's Blackpool was testimony to a gritty performance and the luck due a side facing one most certainly headed for the drop.

Fulham could have been 2-0 down before Matt Smith scored the game's only goal - and only eight minutes gone.

The Whites lost the 6ft 6ins striker to a second-half injury, but not their focus to all but make sure of Championship football next term.



"I won't tempt fate," he said. "I might have half an eye on next season, but the sooner it's mathematically done the better for me, then we can really focus.

"It was a scrappy, horrible, pretty ugly affair but it was imperative we came and got a win and we managed to do that. It's been tough lately, to say the least. It's not been the most enjoyable.

"But that's four away games now on the spin unbeaten, and four games unbeaten consecutively for us as well, so sometimes great trees grow from small seeds."



Actually, gaffer, they all do, but we know what you mean, and also why facing Blackpool right now was good for the soul and a shift up to the relatively heady heights of 18th.

"We got the win we needed, and a clean sheet to boot," Symons added. "We rode our luck a couple of times but then could have scored another one towards the end, but I'll just take the three points however they come at this stage of the season. It's very welcome.

"They started brightly and it was things we told the players about – their wide men make really good out-to-in runs and we said they had to be tracked, and we failed to do it, and they got through twice and we did ride our luck.

"We've not had an awful lot of luck this year so maybe it's a little bit overdue when we needed it most. So I was glad to see those two chances go begging for them."

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-kit-symons-how-9073738

Friendsoffulham

Match Report: Blackpool 0 - Fulham 1



NINE POINTS CLEAR! NINE POINTS CLEAR!

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1-0. 1-0! Nine points clear of the drop! I am so happy with my life right now that I am going to drink myself blind. Kidding. But yes, today we won! We actually won a game! Imagine that! And we had a clean sheet! And we won away! And someone invaded the pitch! Yay! And I am currently eating pasta at the time of writing this. Yay!

Two early attempts at goal came from Henry Cameron, the 17 year old scuffing a shot across the face of goal which hit the post to safety, and a minute later he forced Marcus Bettinelli into action to block a strike from 18 yards out.

In the eight minute, we were up. Sean Kavanagh delivered a smooth cross to Matt Smith, the 25 year-old heading the ball into the corner of the net. Matt Smith created a bit of panic in the Blackpool box shortly after, shooting just over the bar from Ross McCormack's cross in the 14th minute, and then heading wide from a Kavanagh corner. This was met with confusion in our box just eight minutes later, when Dan Burn thought Bettinelli would grab a through ball but didn't, forcing the tall defender to launch a clearance which our keeper had to parry away before Andrea Orlandi could get a shot.


The hosts slowly tried to get back into the game. Michael Turner was booked for fouling David Perkins, while Jamie O'Hara shot the resulting free kick into the wall. Tom Barkhuizen launched a 25-yard strike over the net in the 31st minute, and Jazz Richards had to clear from deep inside the Cottagers' box after a miscommunication between him and Bettinelli. McCormack picked up the pace in the 41st minute, running up half of the pitch to create danger for the hosts, before getting a free kick from a push by O'Hara, but unfortunately Kavanagh failed to find Matt Smith at the post with the resulting set piece.

Smith was later replaced five minutes into the second half, after dropping to the floor and clutching his leg (I'm praying he's okay). Cauley Woodrow came on as the replacement, joining McCormack in attack. A corner from Blackpool was punched away by Bettinelli, before O'Hara launched a volley that scraped just over the bar. Woodrow's first effort of the game came in the 54th minute, when he failed to head on target from a McCormack cross. He had another sight of goal just 3 minutes later, when he raced in to meet a driving cross from Kavanagh, but Elliot Parish dived in to clear the ball. Some uneven pitch issues caused both teams to screw their timing up. James Husband was dropped in the box but had his penalty appeal fall on deaf ears, while at the other end of the pitch, Burn made a nice challenge to stop O'Hara from advancing into the box. McCormack held the ball and bought Danny Guthrie and Woodrow into play in the 60th minute, before Guthrie passed on a strike, letting the latter shoot wide.

Niall Maher replaced Barkhuizen at right-back, while Andrea Orlandi came off for Dom Telford to make two of Blackpool's three changes in this game. Nathan Delfouneso came on to replace Perkins in the 77th minute, and made an immediate impact as Bettinelli fumbled a save, leaving the substitute to tap the ball towards the net before Richards made a goal line clearance. The last ten minutes of the game resulted in the hosts launching long balls into our box, causing us to lose a lot of possession.

And oh yes! The pitch invader was a big man in a blonde wig and pink dress who ended up being removed by stewards, to our fans chanting "sign him up!" as injury time was announced. The uneven pitch cause more issues as we almost made it two. McCormack played in Woodrow, before the ball bounced away towards Parish for a simple save. At the other end, Telford launched a shot from 25 yards, forcing Bettinelli into a diving save to secure the win.

Yay! We face Middlesborough at home next Saturday (3PM GMT.) Now that would be a cool win to get!

http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2015/4/18/8449993/match-report-blackpool-0-fulham-1

Friendsoffulham

Chelsea 'eye up transfer for Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli to replace Petr Cech'


Marcus Bettinelli has emerged as Chelsea's top target to replace Petr Cech (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing up a transfer for Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli as a replacement for the outgoing Petr Cech.

The Blues are keen to line up a back-up shot-stopper before Cech departs at the end of the season to provide cover for Thibaut Courtois.

Jose Mourinho was in attendance at Fulham's 1-1 draw against Rotherham on Wednesday night to cast his eye over the England under-21 international, according to The Telegraph.

Bettinelli only made his first appearance for Fulham last August, and has one year left on his contract.

Because of this, Mourinho is confident of securing a cut-price deal and will allow Cech to move on.

http://metro.co.uk/2015/04/18/chelsea-eye-up-transfer-for-fulham-goalkeeper-marcus-bettinelli-to-replace-petr-cech-5156390/


Friendsoffulham

Fulham player ratings at Blackpool - who were kings of the castle at the seaside?

Votes needed for the Whites at Blackpool

Fulham's Marcus Bettinelli celebrates after the final whistle

OK, so it wasn't one of the prettiest games of football.

But three Fulham points means only a miracle will deny them Championship football next season. Matt Smith scored the winner. Keeper Marcus Bettinelli, in what has become a sparkling season for the young keeper, pulled off some excellent stops, and there were others who played their part in the 1-0 win.

As ever, the choice is yours using our interactive system below, and be sure to check back on Monday morning for the result.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-player-ratings-blackpool---9073603


Friendsoffulham

Pitch invader in a bright pink dress & blonde wig scored a goal during Blackpool v Fulham [Video]



Fulham picked up a massive away win on Saturday in the Championship as the relegation-threatened Cottagers won 1-0 away at already-relegated Blackpool.

The match was interrupted by a comical pitch invader, as a grown up man ran onto the pitch wearing a bright pink dress and blonde wig.

Once on the surface at Bloomfield Road, the pitch invader got his hands on the ball, before he kicked it into th eback of the net.

Watch awesome fan cam video of the fancy-dress pitch invader at Blackpool v Fulham below.

http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/644233/stream_img.jpg

http://www.101greatgoals.com/top-stories/pitch-invader-dressed-bright-pink-dress-blonde-wig-scored-goal-blackpool-fulham-video/

Friendsoffulham

Fulham boss proud to win 'ugly' as Whites surely safe after Blackpool triumph



Kit Symons was happy to win an 'ugly' game as a 1-0 victory at Blackpool all-but secured Fulham's Championship safety.

Matt Smith's eighth-minute header was enough to claim the win which puts Fulham nine points clear of third-from-bottom Millwall, who have three games left, but the Cottagers have a superior goal difference.

Blackpool are now without a win in their last 16 games and still require one point to equal the lowest tally ever posted since the second tier became 24 teams in 1988.

The hosts came close to grabbing a late equaliser when Gary Madine's 20-yard strike was superbly tipped round the post by Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, and manager Symons was adamant anything but the three points for his side would have been an unfair result.

"A scrappy, horrible, ugly game but it was imperative we came and got a win and we managed to do that," he said.

"It's been tough lately to say the least. It's not been the most enjoyable but that's four away games now unbeaten without playing well.

"It was imperative we got the win and that's what we did with a clean sheet to boot.

"There were a couple of times where we could have scored another one towards the end but I'll just take the three points whatever way they come at this stage. It's very welcome.

"We did ride our luck a bit and we've not had an awful lot of luck this year to be honest so maybe it's a little bit overdue.

"Mathematically we need one more point but this was a massive game and result for us. I said that to the players before the game it was all about finding the win and the three points. It wasn't a classic. It's not one I will show the grandkids in years to come."

However, Blackpool boss Lee Clark believes his side fully deserved of at least a share of the spoils.

"I'm frustrated for the players because we didn't get what we deserved. I think we've dominated the game from start to finish," Clark said.

"They scored with their first attack. I don't think they've had many other opportunities. So it's frustrating because we certainly didn't deserve to lose.

"We might have even felt harshly done by had we only taken a point. It's the story of our season really. We dominated the game but just couldn't get through.

"There are lots of positives. The individual performances of lots of players we've had in the last four or five home games has been of a high standard but we've got to get wins on the board.

"We carried on dominating and their keeper pulls off a fantastic save from Gary Madine at the death.

"A lot of the players are playing for their futures. We've obviously made decisions on Andrea Orlandi and Jose Miguel Cubero and we will continue to talk all the time and the players will know what the decisions on them will be after the final game of the season against Huddersfield."

http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/fulham_boss_proud_to_win_ugly_as_whites_surely_safe_after_blackpool_triumph_1_4039468


Friendsoffulham

Symons happy to win ugly



Kit Symons was happy to win an 'ugly' game as a 1-0 victory at Blackpool all-but secured Fulham's Championship safety. Symons happy to win ugly Matt Smith's eighth-minute header was enough to claim the win which puts Fulham nine points clear of third-from-bottom Millwall, who have three games left, but the Cottagers have a superior goal difference. Blackpool are now without a win in their last 16 games and still require one point to equal the lowest tally ever posted since the second tier became 24 teams in 1988. The hosts came close to grabbing a late equaliser when Gary Madine's 20-yard strike was superbly tipped round the post by Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, and manager Symons was adamant anything but the three points for his side would have been an unfair result. "A scrappy, horrible, ugly game but it was imperative we came and got a win and we managed to do that," he said. "It's been tough lately to say the least. It's not been the most enjoyable but that's four away games now unbeaten without playing well. "It was imperative we got the win and that's what we did with a clean sheet to boot. "There were a couple of times where we could have scored another one towards the end but I'll just take the three points whatever way they come at this stage. It's very welcome. "We did ride our luck a bit and we've not had an awful lot of luck this year to be honest so maybe it's a little bit overdue. "Mathematically we need one more point but this was a massive game and result for us. I said that to the players before the game it was all about finding the win and the three points. It wasn't a classic. It's not one I will show the grandkids in years to come." However, Blackpool boss Lee Clark believes his side fully deserved of at least a share of the spoils. "I'm frustrated for the players because we didn't get what we deserved. I think we've dominated the game from start to finish," Clark said. "They scored with their first attack. I don't think they've had many other opportunities. So it's frustrating because we certainly didn't deserve to lose. "We might have even felt harshly done by had we only taken a point. It's the story of our season really. We dominated the game but just couldn't get through. "There are lots of positives. The individual performances of lots of players we've had in the last four or five home games has been of a high standard but we've got to get wins on the board. "We carried on dominating and their keeper pulls off a fantastic save from Gary Madine at the death. "A lot of the players are playing for their futures. We've obviously made decisions on Andrea Orlandi and Jose Miguel Cubero and we will continue to talk all the time and the players will know what the decisions on them will be after the final game of the season against Huddersfield."

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/blackpool/symons-happy-to-win-ugly-1766475.html

Friendsoffulham

VIDEO: Fulham Fan Dressed As a Woman Invades Pitch During Blackpool Tie and Scores



Fulham finally got their first win of the month after three draws on the bounce when they trumped relegated Blackpool 1-0 today at Bloomfield Road.

Matt Smith scored the only goal in a game which Blackpool dominated to take Kit Symon's side nine points clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining.

However, they did have the ball in the net twice as a pitch invader dressed as a woman ran on the pitch and scored a half decent goal.

The Fulham fan, dressed all in pink with a blonde wig, had a couple of keepy ups before volleying it in the net much to the amusement of both sets of fans.

And as he was escorted off the pitch by the stewards he was applauded by the half empty stadium.

http://www.talkingbaws.com/2015/04/18/video-fulham-fan-dressed-as-a-woman-invades-pitch-during-blackpool-tie-and-scores/

Friendsoffulham

Fancy dress Fulham fan lightens the mood at Blackpool



What the... Credit: PA


Marcus Bettinelli was too scared to keep hold of the ball. Credit: PA

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-04-18/fancy-dress-fulham-fan-lightens-the-mood-at-blackpool/


Friendsoffulham

Smith header seals Fulham win

Fulham took a huge step towards Championship survival with a 1-0 win over already-relegated Blackpool at Bloomfield Road thanks to Matt Smith's early goal.



Smith's eighth-minute header was enough to secure the win, which put Fulham nine points clear of third-bottom Millwall. The Lions have three games left, but the Cottagers have a superior goal difference.

Blackpool are now without a win in their last 16 games and still require one point to equal the lowest tally ever posted since the second tier became 24 teams in 1988.

The hosts went close to making the breakthrough after just four minutes when Gary Madine slipped Henry Cameron clean through on goal, but the midfielder's effort from 18 yards came back off the post.

Less than a minute later, Cameron was in behind the Fulham defence again but was denied from similar range by the fingertips of Marcus Bettinelli.

But, in the manner typical of Blackpool's season, it was Fulham who opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Sean Kavanagh's cross from the left was nodded into the bottom-left corner by Smith from 12 yards.

Smith had the chance to double the visitors' lead in the 14th minute, but lashed over from 12 yards after gathering Ross McCormack's right-wing cross.

Fulham continued to pressurise the leakiest defence in the Football League and big striker Smith was almost on target again in the 17th minute, but sent his header wide when six yards out from a corner.

Blackpool could have drawn level after 22 minutes when Jamie O'Hara's corner evaded Bettinelli, but it was nodded wide by the flying Jose Cubero.

Fulham were dealt an injury blow early in the second half when influential striker Smith was forced off.

O'Hara then went close with a dipping left-footed strike from 18 yards in the 52nd minute, but it clipped the top of the net on its way over.

Two minutes later it was Fulham threatening to find the net, but unmarked substitute Cauley Woodrow headed McCormack's free-kick high over the bar from 12 yards.

And the visitors looked certain to score in the 57th minute but Kavanagh's low cross from the left somehow evaded Woodrow who was just three yards out with the goal gaping.

Fulham threatened down the left side again after 69 minutes but James Husband's low cross was behind McCormack with the striker waiting, unmarked, six yards out.

Blackpool substitute Nathan Delfouneso went within inches of equalising after 76 minutes when he beat Bettinelli to the ball, but his effort across goal was hooked off the line by Ashley Richards.

The Cottagers looked to secure the win on the counter-attack in the 80th minute, but McCormack's strike from 20 yards was straight at Elliot Parish.

Madine almost grabbed a late equaliser but his dipping strike from 20 yards was superbly tipped around the post by Bettinelli.

http://www.football365.com/match/3736077/report

Friendsoffulham

#10
Vital victory leaves Fulham all but safe



Blackpool 0 Fulham 1  

Matt Smith's early goal earned Fulham victory at Bloomfield Road and all but guaranteed their Championship survival.

Smith nodded in Sean Kavanagh's cross in the eighth minute and Millwall's failure to beat Cardiff means the Whites are effectively safe.

Already-relegated Blackpool did have their chances, most notably just before Smith scored, when Henry Cameron hit the post and also forced a save from Marcus Bettinelli.

Jazz Richards cleared off the line in the second half and Bettinelli made a great save in injury time as Fulham held on for only their third league win in 17 games.

With promotion-chasing Middlesbrough and Norwich to play in their final two matches, Fulham knew this game represented their best chance of rubber-stamping safety after a troubled season.

But Blackpool, whose relegation was confirmed on Easter Monday, began brightly.

Cameron was left to rue two early misses, as he rolled a shot against the post after being released by Jamie O'Hara and then had an effort tipped over by Bettinelli.

The only goal of the game came with Fulham's first attack. Kavanagh was played in down the left and he picked out Smith who headed past Elliot Parish.

Jose Cubero nodded a corner just over for Blackpool midway through the first half and early in the second Jamie O'Hara's volley narrowly cleared the bar.

By that stage, goalscorer Smith had limped off and Fulham's forward line lacked a focal point.

At the other end, Richards was in the right place to hack clear after Blackpool substitute Nathan Delfouneso threatened to turn in a loose ball, while Bettinelli's fine save from Gary Madine's effort deep into stoppage time preserved the vital three points.

Fulham (4-4-2): Bettinelli; Richards, Turner, Burn, Husband; Hoogland, Tunnicliffe, Guthrie, Kavanagh; McCormack, Smith (Woodrow 50).
Subs not used: Kiraly, Grimmer, Hutchinson, Fofana, Ruiz, Rodallega.

http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/vital-victory-leaves-fulham-all-but-safe



Friendsoffulham

Blackpool 0 Fulham 1: Matt Smith goal hands Cottagers huge Championship survival boost

Fulham took a huge step towards Championship survival with a 1-0 win over already-relegated Blackpool at Bloomfield Road thanks to Matt Smith's early goal.

Smith's eighth-minute header was enough to secure the win, which put Fulham nine points clear of third-bottom Millwall. The Lions have three games left, but the Cottagers have a superior goal difference.

Blackpool are now without a win in their last 16 games and still require one point to equal the lowest tally ever posted since the second tier became 24 teams in 1988.

The hosts went close to making the breakthrough after just four minutes when Gary Madine slipped Henry Cameron clean through on goal, but the midfielder's effort from 18 yards came back off the post.

Less than a minute later, Cameron was in behind the Fulham defence again but was denied from similar range by the fingertips of Marcus Bettinelli.

But, in the manner typical of Blackpool's season, it was Fulham who opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Sean Kavanagh's cross from the left was nodded into the bottom-left corner by Smith from 12 yards.

Smith had the chance to double the visitors' lead in the 14th minute, but lashed over from 12 yards after gathering Ross McCormack's right-wing cross.

Fulham continued to pressurise the leakiest defence in the Football League and big striker Smith was almost on target again in the 17th minute, but sent his header wide when six yards out from a corner.

Blackpool could have drawn level after 22 minutes when Jamie O'Hara's corner evaded Bettinelli, but it was nodded wide by the flying Jose Cubero.

Fulham were dealt an injury blow early in the second half when influential striker Smith was forced off.

O'Hara then went close with a dipping left-footed strike from 18 yards in the 52nd minute, but it clipped the top of the net on its way over.

Two minutes later it was Fulham threatening to find the net, but unmarked substitute Cauley Woodrow headed McCormack's free-kick high over the bar from 12 yards.

And the visitors looked certain to score in the 57th minute but Kavanagh's low cross from the left somehow evaded Woodrow who was just three yards out with the goal gaping.

Fulham threatened down the left side again after 69 minutes but James Husband's low cross was behind McCormack with the striker waiting, unmarked, six yards out.

Blackpool substitute Nathan Delfouneso went within inches of equalising after 76 minutes when he beat Bettinelli to the ball, but his effort across goal was hooked off the line by Ashley Richards.

The Cottagers looked to secure the win on the counter-attack in the 80th minute, but McCormack's strike from 20 yards was straight at Elliot Parish.

Madine almost grabbed a late equaliser but his dipping strike from 20 yards was superbly tipped around the post by Bettinelli.

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-0-fulham-1-matt-smith-goal-hands-cottagers-huge-championship-survival-boost-10186905.html


Friendsoffulham

Fulham all but safe - but at what price to game winner Matt Smith?

Whites notch the only goal at relegated Blackpool



Blackpool 0-1 Fulham

Fulham are all but safe after Matt Smith struck the game's only goal in the eighth minute.

It needs a miracle akin to a Lazarus rising for Millwall to catch the Whites - and they are the only team who could now send Fulham down.

In effect, the Lions need to win all their remaining three games by cricket scores while Fulham have to lose both their last two fixtures.

However, scorer Smith who has been on the edge of exhaustion in the last three games according to boss Kit Symons, was forced off with an injury five minutes into the second half.



Fulham could have been 2-0 down before he scored.

The Whites 6ft 6ins striker notched his fourth of the season with a well-placed header as he connected with Sean Kavanagh's cross.

But like the Rotherham game on Tuesday, Whites were all at sea, never mind the seaside, when talented teenager Henry Cameron raced through and tickled the post after springing a dozing defence.

The 17-year-old then brought a bright stop from Marcus Bettinelli - and all this before latecomers had taken their seats.

After he scored, Smith took charge with a rising shot always headed over and nearly repeated the headed goal, but this time Kavanagh's centre had the big man nodding just wide.



A tiring month finally took its toll as Smith pulled up lame, although sub Cauley Woodrow nearly picked up from where the scorer left off when he was a toe-poke from doubling the advantage.

It needed the timely intervention of Jazz Richards to clear off the line deep into the second half. Nathan Delfouneso looked to have fouled Bettinelli in an aerial challenge, but the forward's half-hit effort at goal gave Richards the chance to clear.

Gary Madine volleyed goalwards in the final seconds, but Bettinelli, one of the few stars of a struggling season, flung himself and turned the effort away.

Fulham fans cheered former hero Lee Clark, now in charge of doomed Blackpool, but they could afford to. Their side will see Championship football while Clark will prepare for League One

Whites, 4-1-3-2: Bettinelli; Richards, Turner, Burn, Husband: Hoogland; Tunnicliffe, Guthrie, Kavanagh; Smith (Woodrow 50); McCormack; subs not used: Kiraly, Hutchinson, Ruiz, Fofana, Rodallega, Grimmer

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-safe---what-price-9072761


Friendsoffulham

Blackpool In Pictures

Take a look at some of the best action images from Fulham's fruitful trip to the Seaside to take on Blackpool

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/april/18/blackpool-in-pictures

Friendsoffulham

Smith all but assures Fulham safety

Fulham took a huge step towards Championship survival with a 1-0 win over already-relegated Blackpool at Bloomfield Road thanks to Matt Smith's early goal.

Smith's eighth-minute header was enough to secure the win, which put Fulham nine points clear of third-bottom Millwall. The Lions have three games left, but the Cottagers have a superior goal difference.

Blackpool are now without a win in their last 16 games and still require one point to equal the lowest tally ever posted since the second tier became 24 teams in 1988.

The hosts went close to making the breakthrough after just four minutes when Gary Madine slipped Henry Cameron clean through on goal, but the midfielder's effort from 18 yards came back off the post.

Less than a minute later, Cameron was in behind the Fulham defence again but was denied from similar range by the fingertips of Marcus Bettinelli.

But, in the manner typical of Blackpool's season, it was Fulham who opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Sean Kavanagh's cross from the left was nodded into the bottom-left corner by Smith from 12 yards.

Smith had the chance to double the visitors' lead in the 14th minute, but lashed over from 12 yards after gathering Ross McCormack's right-wing cross.

Fulham continued to pressurise the leakiest defence in the Football League and big striker Smith was almost on target again in the 17th minute, but sent his header wide when six yards out from a corner.

Blackpool could have drawn level after 22 minutes when Jamie O'Hara's corner evaded Bettinelli, but it was nodded wide by the flying Jose Cubero.

Fulham were dealt an injury blow early in the second half when influential striker Smith was forced off.

O'Hara then went close with a dipping left-footed strike from 18 yards in the 52nd minute, but it clipped the top of the net on its way over.

Two minutes later it was Fulham threatening to find the net, but unmarked substitute Cauley Woodrow headed McCormack's free-kick high over the bar from 12 yards.

And the visitors looked certain to score in the 57th minute but Kavanagh's low cross from the left somehow evaded Woodrow who was just three yards out with the goal gaping.

Fulham threatened down the left side again after 69 minutes but James Husband's low cross was behind McCormack with the striker waiting, unmarked, six yards out.

Blackpool substitute Nathan Delfouneso went within inches of equalising after 76 minutes when he beat Bettinelli to the ball, but his effort across goal was hooked off the line by Ashley Richards.

The Cottagers looked to secure the win on the counter-attack in the 80th minute, but McCormack's strike from 20 yards was straight at Elliot Parish.

Madine almost grabbed a late equaliser but his dipping strike from 20 yards was superbly tipped around the post by Bettinelli.

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/english-league-championship/match/395383/blackpool-fulham/report


Friendsoffulham

Result: Matt Smith heads Fulham closer to safety



Fulham edged closer to safety in the Championship with a 1-0 win over relegated Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon.

Matt Smith's 17th goal of the campaign gave the Cottagers the points to leave them nine points clear of the drop zone in England's second tier.

The relegated Seasiders went close inside four minutes when Henry Cameron's effort cannoned back off the post.

Cameron then forced Marcus Bettinelli into an excellent save moments later after bursting through on goal, but the hosts were caught cold when Smith nodded in Sean Kavanagh's cross from the left.

Smith caused the home defence a whole host of problems, and the striker controlled Ross McCormack's cross before lashing the ball off target before heading Kavanagh's corner.

A mix-up at the back almost let Andrea Orlandi in for Blackpool, but Dan Burn did well to get back and clear the danger before the half-hour mark.

Smith's afternoon lasted just five into the restart after he pulled up through injury, and he was replaced by Cauley Woodrow who went close from McCormack's delivery on 54 minutes.

Blackpool nearly levelled through Orlandi before the hour mark, but Burn did well to block the powerful goal-bound effort from close range.

Nathan Delfouneso was denied for Blackpool when his effort was cleared off the line by Jazz Richards as the game crept into the final 10 minutes.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/result/result-smith-heads-fulham-closer-to-safety_217872.html

WhiteJC

 
Kit Symons: 'The win was all that mattered'

Fulham boss Kit Symons has revealed his delight with his side as they all but secured their Championship status for next season courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Blackpool.

The Cottagers went ahead in the eighth minute through Matt Smith and his strike was enough to secure the win at Bloomfield Road to move Symons's side nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Symons told Sky Sports News: "A scrappy, horrible, ugly game but it was imperative we came and got a win and we managed to do that. It's been tough lately to say the least. It's not been the most enjoyable but that's four away games now unbeaten without playing well.

"It was imperative we got the win and that's what we did with a clean sheet to boot. There were a couple of times where we could have scored another one towards the end but I'll just take the three points whatever way they come at this stage. It's very welcome.

"We did ride our luck a bit and we've not had an awful lot of luck this year to be honest so maybe it's a little bit overdue. Mathematically we need one more point but this was a massive game and result for us. I said that to the players before the game it was all about finding the win and the three points."

Fulham are 18th in the Championship with two matches remaining in their season.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/symons-the-win-was-all-that-mattered_217996.html

WhiteJC

 
Fulham consider summer move for ex-Chelsea winger

Kit Symons' Fulham are considering a summer move for former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, according to FLW sources.

FLW understands that the 33-year-old is being targeted by the west London club as a player who will help the club push for promotion next season.

The former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder currently plies his trade for Premier League strugglers Queens Park Rangers, however has only managed to amass a mere 124 minutes of football this season.

Wright-Phillips has been at QPR since 2011, but has found first-team opportunities increasingly hard to acquire in recent seasons.

The brother of Bradley Wright-Phillips – Shaun is one of the highest earners at QPR so would seemingly need to take a pay cut to join the Cottagers in a deal this summer.

Whether Wright-Phillips will want to take the step down to the Sky Bet Championship is unknown as of yet, but it could be his only opportunity of first-team football.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-consider-summer-move-for-ex-chelsea-winger/?


WhiteJC

 
Lee Clark: "We didn't get what we deserved"

Blackpool boss Lee Clark has revealed that he was frustrated for his side as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Fulham in their Championship clash.

Matt Smith scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute to fire the Cottagers to victory, but Clark feels that his side dominated the match and should have taken at least a point at Bloomfield Road.

"I'm frustrated for the players because we didn't get what we deserved. I think we've dominated the game from start to finish," Clark told Sky Sports News.

"They scored with their first attack. I don't think they've had many other opportunities. So it's frustrating because we certainly didn't deserve to lose.

"We might have even felt harshly done by had we only taken a point. It's the story of our season really. We dominated the game but just couldn't get through."

The loss to Fulham was Blackpool's 27th defeat of the season.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/blackpool/news/clark-we-didnt-get-what-we-deserved_217998.html

fulhamben

Quote from: WhiteJC on April 19, 2015, 08:55:31 AM

Fulham consider summer move for ex-Chelsea winger

Kit Symons' Fulham are considering a summer move for former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, according to FLW sources.

FLW understands that the 33-year-old is being targeted by the west London club as a player who will help the club push for promotion next season.

The former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder currently plies his trade for Premier League strugglers Queens Park Rangers, however has only managed to amass a mere 124 minutes of football this season.

Wright-Phillips has been at QPR since 2011, but has found first-team opportunities increasingly hard to acquire in recent seasons.

The brother of Bradley Wright-Phillips – Shaun is one of the highest earners at QPR so would seemingly need to take a pay cut to join the Cottagers in a deal this summer.

Whether Wright-Phillips will want to take the step down to the Sky Bet Championship is unknown as of yet, but it could be his only opportunity of first-team football.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-consider-summer-move-for-ex-chelsea-winger/?
i hope this is bs.
CHRIS MARTIN IS SO BAD,  WE NOW PRAISE HIM FOR MAKING A RUN.