Robinson withdraws from USA squad through injury
Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has withdrawn from the USA national team due to injury, along with Celtic’s Auston Trusty.
Maurico Pochettino's side will play in the CONCACAF Nations League finals during the current international break.
They face Panama in the first semi-final on March 20 in Los Angeles.
The winners will face either Canada or Mexico in the final on March 23.
Robinson withdraws from USA squad through injury
Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has withdrawn from the USA national team due to injury, along with Celtic’s Auston Trusty.
Maurico Pochettino's side will play in the CONCACAF Nations League finals during the current international break.
They face Panama in the first semi-final on March 20 in Los Angeles.
The winners will face either Canada or Mexico in the final on March 23.
Hard to describe feeling – Sessegnon ‘so happy’ with Craven Cottage goal
Fulham full-back Ryan Sessegnon was lost for words after his long wait to score again at Craven Cottage ended with the clincher in a 2-0 win over old club Tottenham.
Sessegnon endured an injury-hit five-year spell at Spurs where he made only 57 appearances after a string of hamstring issues.
It resulted in the one-time England hopeful being released last summer and he turned to boyhood side Fulham to get his career back on track.
While Sessegnon had to wait until December to make a second Premier League debut for Marco Silva’s men, he has started to get further chances and marked his latest display off the bench with a superb curled effort with his weaker right foot in the 88th-minute on Sunday.
There was no celebration from Sessegnon out of respect for Tottenham, but the big smile on the face of the 24-year-old was clear to see after he struck in front of the Hammersmith End at Craven Cottage for the first time since 2018.
“I was still waiting for that moment for me to happen and I am so happy it happened in an important game,” Sessegnon told FFCtv.
“I spent five seasons there [at Tottenham], still have a lot of respect for the club and for the people that work for the club hence why there was no celebration.
“I knew when I come on today if there was any loose ball or chance I could get, I wanted to make sure I took the chance and I did. Yeah, it’s hard to describe this feeling. It is amazing, honestly.
“The noise was incredible when the ball went in the back of the net and I was just happy to help the team to a vital three points.”
The Verdict: Fulham eyeing Europe after win against 'toothless' Spurs
Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterill and senior football journalist Peter Smith review Fulham's win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Silva on Sessgnon's 'emotional' goal against Tottenham
Marco Silva described Ryan Sessegnon's goal against Tottenham as "emotional" given the difficulties the Fulham player has been through in his career.
After bursting through at Fulham as a 16-year-old, Sessegnon joined Tottenham in 2019 but a series of injuries disrupted his time in north London and he has now returned to Craven Cottage.
"It was emotional," said Silva, about Sessegnon's 88th-minute stunner against Spurs. "The injuries, sometimes that can be hard for the players to deal with.
"He’s in much better shape right now. We all know his quality. The first goal again at Craven Cottage, against Tottenham as well, he did it in a fantastic way, right-footed, something he’s been working on in the training sessions. It was a nice reward for him.
"He’s still very young. He was one of the biggest talents in his position in the country. That was the reason why a club like Tottenham came and spent the money. Sometimes life and football is not as we expected, everyone expected a bright future for him in that moment. He wasn’t fortunate at all in terms of injuries."
FREE MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: FULHAM 2-0 TOTTENHAM
Report: Sessegnon scores stunner in Fulham win
Ryan Sessegnon struck a stunner against his former club as Fulham boosted their hopes of European qualification with a 2-0 win over toothless Tottenham at Craven Cottage to move up to eighth in the Premier League.
Fulham 2-0 Tottenham: Ryan Sessegnon scores against old club after Rodrigo Muniz opener as Marco Silva's side go eighth
Sky Sports
Analysis: Fulham powered by super subs
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
When you're in the European chase, as Fulham are, it's mighty handy to have players off the bench who can change games. Players who can rescue something. Or turn a likely draw into a win.
Fulham have scored 13 goals from substitutes in the Premier League this season, including two against Spurs (Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon), the outright most in the division.
Sessegnon's moment will stand out against his former side, not least for the quality of the strike. The last time he scored at Craven Cottage was Boxing Day 2015. "It's the story of our season", manager Marco Silva said, when asked about impact of his bench this season.
Rodrigo Muniz’s opener was his fifth as a substitute. And the striker epitomised Fulham's tenacity to chase victory on the day, and punch above weight more broadly. "People didn't expect this at the beginning of the season, it’s never a problem for us." Silva added.
The squabble over European qualification intensifies and Fulham are more than in the race.
Silva warns of Spurs boost after Europa League success
Fulham boss Marco Silva expects Tottenham to be buoyed by their Europa League success when they visit Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Spurs kept their hopes of European glory alive with a 3-2 aggregate win over AZ Alkmaar to reach the quarter-finals on Thursday night, overcoming a 1-0 first-leg defeat.
And last weekend Tottenham asserted themselves late in the second half to salvage a 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth, having trailed 2-0.
"Last Sunday a tough first half, great reaction in the second half," Silva told Fulham TV. "Then (in the Europa League) to be able to turn around the defeat from the first leg and they went through in the competition.
"And you know when you go through in an important competition and you go through the final stages, you know that gives you the confidence.
"I don't need to say, they recognise the last two, three months for them in terms of results have not been the best, but more than all of us they know why, and of course if they have a lot of injuries it's always much more difficult to handle and cope with that situation."
'Clearly our fault we lost' – Silva reflects Brighton loss
Marco Silva insisted Fulham only had themselves to blame for a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Brighton.
Joao Pedro scored a stoppage-time penalty as the Seagulls finally beat Fulham in the Premier League at the 10th attempt.
Albion looked set to be frustrated by the Cottagers once again but Pedro’s spot-kick at the death settled the battle of the European hopefuls in Brighton’s favour and moved them up to sixth, just a point behind Manchester City in fourth.
Raul Jimenez’s well-taken opener for Fulham had earlier been cancelled out by Jan Paul van Hecke’s towering header from a free-kick in the first half.
“It’s a difficult one to take, to lose like we lost,” said Cottagers boss Silva. “But that’s the reality. It’s football. We gave them two moments.
“The first half from us was a good level, the second half I disagree. When the game was really quiet and we were completely in control, we conceded a goal from a free-kick.
“We gave them a chance and then it was not a good second half from us. It’s clearly our fault that we lost the game.”
The penalty, awarded in the seventh minute of added time, looked soft, with Pedro going down under Harrison Reed’s challenge.
But Silva added: “I’m not complaining. A clever striker felt contact and won the penalty.
“We expect this type of striker to do his job. If it was my side, I’d ask for a penalty.”
Report: Pedro's injury-time penalty moves Brighton up to sixth
Joao Pedro's injury-time penalty saw Brighton beat Fulham 2-1 at the Amex as Fabian Hurzeler's side moved up to sixth place in the Premier League.
Brighton 2-1 Fulham: Joao Pedro's injury-time penalty moves Seagulls up to sixth in Premier League
Sky Sports
WATCH FREE HIGHLIGHTS: BRIGHTON 2-1 FULHAM
WATCH: Iwobi on FA Cup, club legends and dressing room vibes
Silva's praise for Fulham players...
Fulham boss Marco Silva has been nominated for the Premier League’s manager of the month award for February, which he feels is testament to the efforts of his players.
“What gave me more satisfaction is that the team reacted really well after a very good end of November and December,” the Fulham boss said.
“The load of the games was very big, and January as a month was not the best. For me to be there means that the team did well in February.
“For me, that is the most important thing. The reaction from the team has been really good. We have been performing well.”
Fulham team news...
Fulham will be without midfielder Sasa Lukic as he starts a two-game ban after collecting 10 cautions in the Premier League, while winger Adama Traore is a doubt with an ankle injury picked up at Old Trafford.
Silva warns Fulham’s impressive away form will be tested by Brighton trip
Fulham boss Marco Silva feels his side’s top away form will come under a stern test when they head to Brighton against a team on an “incredible” run of results.
The Cottagers have not lost a Premier League fixture against Brighton since Silva took charge in the summer of 2021, with four wins out of five matches.
Having seen his side pick up four victories out of the last six away league games, as well as come through a penalty shoot-out at Manchester United to book a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, confidence in the Fulham squad is high.
However, Silva has warned against any sense of complacency when they head to the Amex Stadium on Saturday to face a Brighton team who have picked up maximum points from their past three league games, as well as progressing in the FA Cup with an extra-time win at Newcastle.
“It [our record against Brighton] gives us confidence, definitely, but all those games were really difficult because they are a really good side,” Silva said.
“They always create a lot of problems, a really offensive side that is always playing with two strikers, the wide players are really quick, and it is always difficult to play against them.
“They have been on an incredible run of results as well after the heavy [7-0] defeat against Nottingham Forest, they reacted really well.”
Silva added: “Our away form has been top as well so far, and it is going to be a really good game, in my opinion.
“It is always good when you have a very good record. The reality is that it gives us and our fans the confidence that we can repeat again, and let us hope we can get a good result.”
Silva says Man Utd win was an important result
Marco Silva says Fulham have moved on from their FA Cup victory at Manchester United.
Fulham progressed to the last eight of the FA Cup on Sunday with a penalty shoot-out victory at Old Trafford, their first success against United in the competition since 1908.
"It was really important for us, it was our goal," boss Silva told ffc.tv ahead of their Premier League trip to Brighton on Saturday.
"The time for celebrations was after the match with the fans. The players had their moment as well.
"The focus straight away was on the next game. We haven't won anything. We have gone through to the next round of the competition, nothing more.
"We have to be proud we are playing in the quarter-final, but just that. We have to be realistic and keep our feet on the ground.
"We must be humble enough to understand what we want from ourselves.
"To think big you have to realise it was good, it was important, but nothing more than that."
Fulham condemn Bassey online abuse
Fulham have condemned a series of racist messages directed at defender Calvin Bassey online.
Bassey shared on Snapchat a number of screengrabs of messages he received via Instagram, the contents of which Sky Sports News will not repeat.
Fulham have said today: “The club is utterly appalled at the racist and homophobic abuse received and subsequently shared by Calvin Bassey on social media after yesterday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
“We strongly condemn this abhorrent behaviour which has no place in football or society. Such actions are entirely unacceptable, and we stand in full support of Calvin Bassey, who will continue to receive our full backing.
“We will do everything in our power to work with the relevant authorities in identifying the perpetrators of these vile messages and taking the strongest form of action against them.
“Fulham Football Club is committed to maintaining a firm stance against all forms of discrimination and remains dedicated to fostering an environment of respect and inclusion.”
Leno 'one of the best'
Bernd Leno's save from Chido Obi in extra-time helped take the game to penalties and his subsequent stops in the shoot-out ensured that Fulham beat Manchester United in their FA Cup clash at Old Trafford.
His head coach praised the German afterwards. "Not just because he defended the penalties," said Marco Silva.
"We waited a long time for him to come to our football club. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in my opinion. He has been showing that week in, week out and he showed that at Arsenal and Leverkusen too."
Player ratings: Leno the hero for Fulham at Man Utd
Man Utd: Onana (5), Mazraoui (6), Yoro (6), Maguire (6), De Ligt (6), Dalot (7), Fernandes (7), Ugarte (5), Eriksen (6), Hojlund (5), Zirkzee (5).
Subs: Lindelof (5), Garnacho (7), Casemiro (6), Obi (7), Heaven (6).
Fulham: Leno (8), Castagne (6), Andersen (6), Bassey (7), Robinson (7), Berge (7), Lukic (7), Traore (5), Pereira (6), Iwobi (6), Muniz (6).
Subs: Smith Rowe (7), Willian (6), Jimenez (6), Reed (n/a), Sessegnon (n/a).
Player of the match: Bernd Leno.
Man Utd 1-1 Fulham (Pens 3-4): Joshua Zirkzee and Victor Lindelof penalties saved in FA Cup shoot-out as holders exit
Sky Sports
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Fulham drawn against Crystal Palace in FA Cup quarters
Fulham will host Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-finals after knocking out Manchester United on penalties.
The four last-eight ties are scheduled to take place across the weekend of March 29/30.
FA Cup quarter-finals draw: Bournemouth to host Man City, Fulham to play Palace, Aston Villa face Preston
Sky Sports