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Lineups
Fulham
⚫️⚪️ #COYW pic.twitter.com/LWlIouGWT0
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 19, 2017
Sheffield Wednesday
Here is our team news this afternoon brought to you by @Ladbrokes #swfcLIVE pic.twitter.com/omzO7xUjae
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) August 19, 2017
First Half
No real action for the first seven minutes of the game, but David Button was called into action once to swipe away a David Jones through ball. In the eighth minute, Tim Ream had a fantastic block which denied Hopper a chance at goal. Five minutes later, Kalas was on call to clear a dangerous Wednesday cross. In the 19th, Rui Fonte delivered a beautiful corner that Aluko nodded just over. Fonte was involved again two minutes later, he put in a beautiful ball that was just ahead of Sessegnon. On 24, Stefan Johansen went close with a spectacular volley that just missed the crossbar. After about 20 minutes of dominance from Fulham without a real chance, another beautiful Rui Fonte cross, from a free kick won by Dennis Odoi, was headed just over by kevin McDonald.
Half-Time Thoughts:
Rui Fonte was extremely impressive for the first forty five minutes and looked ready to score, or create a goal any minute. The midfield was great as always, but Cairney was having to drop a little deep to be effective in the final third. The defense has been rock solid the whole game, Kalas picked up a knock on his elbow, but he was able to shake that off quickly. The finishing needed a little help, but we looked to be getting closer as the game went on.
Second Half:
Fulham started brightly having a lot of possession and snuffing out the Wednesday attack. David Button went down holding his knee, but he was able to continue. Stefan Johansen was given a great chance to feed a cross into Fonte, but he put the cross over the bar. Fulham then had a great attacking spell, but we were unable to get a real chance. Ryan Sessegnon made a great run to get on a through ball but he was unable to put his shot on target. Bannan had a sweetly struck shot from range, and Steven Fletcher put it in the back of the net, but he was offside. Johansen went down under a challenge from Barry Bannan, but he was able to continue. On 61, Sone Aluko went off for Neeskens Kebano, and Oliver Norwood came on for Stefan Johansen. Reach had a great cutback to Fletcher, and the experienced striker made no mistake to give Wednesday the lead. Sessegnon delivered a ball across the six yard box, but it was behind Fonte. Kebano with some nice skill got a good shot off that Westwood saved. McDonald was booked for stopping George Boyd from getting forward. On 75, Aboubakar Kamara came on for Kevin McDonald. Steven Fletcher had a shot well saved by David Button. Fernando Forestieri came on for Gary Hooper in the 81st minute. On 90, Nuhiu on for Fletcher. In stoppage time, George Boyd came off for Liam Palmer. Jack Hunt flops over to the ground and somehow Kebano is penalized, incredible. Final whistle.
Full Time Thoughts:
We were so poor in the saecond half and in defense. Nobody marking Fletcher for the goal. Wednesday did not deserve a win, but they are quality enough to take one when you hand it to them. Work needs to be done and improvements made to the team. Sessegnon was not good enough today and should be dropped for Ipswich. Aluko looked like his mind was elsehwere, if he wants to go to Reading, I say ship him out after that.