Premier League

Craven Cottage

Monday 2nd November 2020 -  17:30
Fulham
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West Brom
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Key Events

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Slaven Bilić’s Baggies travel to Craven Cottage on Monday evening looking for their first victory back in the Premier League following encouraging draws against Burnley and Brighton (ko 5.30pm).

Fulham

Their last time out

Fulham are yet to record a win since securing promotion back to the Premier League and they suffered defeat in their last game when Crystal Palace recorded a 2-1 triumph in west London.

Goals from Jaïro Riedewald and Wilfried Zaha gave the Cottagers an uphill task which was made more difficult when Aboubakar Kamara was dismissed towards the end of the game. Tom Cairney did net a stunning effort in injury time, but it came too late as Fulham’s wait for a win continued.

In the dugout

Scott Parker is currently leading his first full season as a Premier League manager having previously taken charge of the London-based side on a temporary basis back in 2019.

The former Chelsea and Spurs midfielder succeeded Claudio Ranieri in February that year but couldn’t prevent Fulham's relegation to the Championship. The 40-year-old became the permanent boss in May 2019 and was handed a two-year-contract. He secured an immediate return to the top flight via the play-offs last season, with Fulham beating rivals Brentford at Wembley.

Based on last term’s success, Parker will be confident his Fulham side can turn games in their favour over the course of the campaign.

One to watch

Since his move to the Cottagers on loan from German side RB Leipzig in the summer, Ademola Lookman has already proved to be a handful for Premier League defenders.

The 23-year-old scored on his first start for the club as he helped Fulham secure their first point of the season against Sheffield United and despite their recent 2-1 defeat to Palace, it could have been very different with Lookman twice hitting the post. He will no doubt be one to watch on Monday.

Our last meeting

Albion’s most recent game against the Cottagers ended in a 0-0 draw last season, but their last victory over Fulham came 10 years ago at The Hawthorns…

Stats

Albion

  • The Baggies have found the net in three of their last four visits to Craven Cottage, losing one and drawing the rest.
  • Defender Branislav Ivanović is unbeaten from the 10 Premier League matches he’s previously played against Fulham (W6, D4).
  • Skipper Jake Livermore’s next game will be his 145th for the Baggies - the highest number of appearances he’s made for any club during his career.

Fulham

  • Fulham hold a historically strong home record in league fixtures against Albion, with their last defeat coming in October 1967.
  • Four out the five goals the Cottagers have scored this season have come during the second half of matches.
  • Scott Parker’s men are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league the season.   

Head to head

  Fulham wins Draw Albion wins
League 24 19 31
FA Cup 1 0 3
League Cup 2 2 2
Total 27 21 36

Our one to watch

Karlan Grant made the difference in Albion’s last match as a lethal finish with just seven minutes left to play earned a share of the spoils against Brighton on Monday.

The Baggies’ final summer signing demonstrated his eye for goal during his home debut against Burnley when he converted one of the few opportunities he had in the game, only for it to be ruled out by the linesman’s flag.

It could very much be a case of one chance, one goal for the 23-year-old who will be keen to add to his tally at Craven Cottage on Monday.

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Follow the game

Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.

To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.

If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account. 

Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.

If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

The game is also available to watch on Sky Sports Box Office.

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Albion’s hunt for a first Premier League victory of the season goes on after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Fulham.

First-half goals from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ola Aina were enough to earn all three points for the hosts on a frustrating evening for the Baggies.

Slaven Bilić stuck with the same starting XI that earned a point at Brighton last Monday with Romaine Sawyers the only change to the bench, replacing Rekeem Harper.

The Baggies started brightly on the bank of the River Thames and were almost ahead after just two minutes when Conor Townend’s left-wing cross struck the crossbar.

The hosts took the lead – largely against the run of play – on 26 minutes, Bobby Decordova-Reid heading under the bar after Aleksandar Mitrovic nodded Antonee Robinson’s ball in back across goal.

Fulham doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark – Ola Aina driving a spectacular left-footed strike across goal and into the top left corner from 20 yards.

Albion almost pulled one back 10 minutes before the interval when Karlan Grant flashed just wide from 20 yards after Conor Gallagher pounced on a defensive error.

Sam Johnstone was on hand to deny Fulham a third in first-half stoppage time, providing a parry to keep out Andre-Frank Anguissa’s fierce effort.

Bilić made a double change on 56 minutes, replacing Jake Livermore and Matheus Pereira with Romaine Sawyers and Callum Robinson.

The Baggies continued to push for a goal but opportunities remained at a premium. Grant sent a cushioned header towards goal from Darnell Furlong’s cross but Alphonse Areola was on hand to gather comfortably.

For all their efforts, Albion failed to create another clear-cut chance and left the capital pointless.

Albion: Johnstone; Furlong, Ivanović, Ajayi, Townsend; Livermore (c) (Sawyers 56); Pereira (Robinson 56), Gallagher, Krovinović (Phillips 70), Diangana; Grant.

Subs: Button; Gibbs, Bartley, Edwards.