Saturday December 29, 2012 Day 20 Finished Craven Cottage

Fulham 1 - 2 Swansea City

  • Ruiz 56’
  • Graham 19’
  • de Guzman 52’

13 comments | Write your comment

  1. Premier League - Swansea add to Fulham frustrations

    Premier League - Swansea add to Fulham frustrations

    Swansea ended the year on a high with a 2-1 win away from home against Fulham in their Premier League match at Craven Cottage More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Fulham
    • Swansea City
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+4' The full-time whistle goes at Craven Cottage, and Swansea end the year with a fine 2-1 win away from home against Fulham! Goals from Graham and de Guzman were enough for Laudrup's side, and there are boos at the final whistle for Jol's side. Thanks for joining us.
    • 90+3' Swansea are closing this match out very efficiently, and the home fans are streaming out now very disgruntled.
    • 90+2' Ruiz whips over a testing delivery to the back post, but Berbatov can only head over the crossbar.
    • 90+1' Berbatov continues to cut a despondent figure as he trudges around, and Fulham need a spark from him.
    • 90' There will be four added minutes at the end of this second half, and it's all Fulham.
    • 89' Monk and Williams combine to clear as Fulham pile on the pressure, and Swansea are defending superbly.
    • 88' Riether goes down inside the Swansea box, but the referee gives a free kick in favour of Williams after lots of pushing and shoving.
    • 87' Hangeland wins a towering header inside the Swansea box, but Rodallega cannot latch on to the loose ball.
    • 86' Stockdale is again unconvincing as he flaps at a delivery from de Guzman, but Senderos punts clear.
    • 85' Fulham have had 21 attempts on goal in this match, but have not troubled Tremmel nearly enough.
    • 84' Fulham are throwing everyone forward, and Swansea have an abundance of space on the break.
    • 83' Hangeland is indeed now playing as a forward for Fulham, and it's desperate defending from both sides.
    • 82' On comes Philippe Senderos now to allow Hangeland to play in attack for the final few minutes!
    • 81' Agustien makes way for Leon Britton, who comes on to shore things up for the visitors.
    • 79' Rodallega fires wide from the edge of the Swansea box, and that's a poor effort. Agustien is then booked for a foul on Sidwell.
    • 78' Swansea are enjoying a very good period of possession now in the Fulham half, and the visitors are playing without any fear of conceding.
    • 77' Fulham have won only one of their last 11 Premier League games, and it could be 12 after today.
    • 75' Graham races clear of the Fulham defence and drives a low shot towards the near post, but Stockdale makes a smart save down low!
    • 74' It has to be said that Berbatov looks very out of sorts this afternoon, and Jol will be desperate for his main man to produce something in the final stages of the match.
    • 73' Jol brings on Hugo Rodallega now as Dejagah makes way. Will this change give Fulham a spark?
    • 72' The rain is teeming it down at Craven Cottage, and it's a horrible afternoon.
    • 71' It's end-to-end now as Swansea play on the counter attack, with Fulham piling on the pressure.
    • 69' Berbatov wheels away in celebration as he pounces to score from close range following Karagounis's initial shot, but the offside flag halts him!
    • 68' What an effort from Frei, who drives a powerful volley towards the top corner of the net, only for Tremmel to produce an acrobatic stop to his left!
    • 67' Ben Davies comes on to replace Hernandez, who has just returned from an injury.
    • 66' Ruiz takes a corner far too quickly with Berbatov still doing up his shoelace inside the box!
    • 65' Hernandez has been pretty quiet this afternoon, but he is beginning to thrive now in the midfield as he links up the play.
    • 63' Stockdale is again unconvincing as he fails to get good contact on a punch inside the Fulham box, but Hangeland helps out with a clearance.
    • 61' Swansea have lacked width since Routledge was taken off, and that is beginning to look as though it might have been a mistake.
    • 59' Tremmel flaps at a cross from Frei, and that was poor goalkeeping with Berbatov almost able to pounce.
    • 58' The Swans had kept two clean sheets in their last three Premier League away games.
    • 57' Fulham are suddenly rampant, and Swansea are being forced back into their half under real pressure.
    • 56' GOAL! Fulham grab a goal back as Berbatov sees a volley blocked by Williams, only for Ruiz to turn the ball home from the six-yard box with Swansea left to desperately appeal for an offside flag in vain. Fulham have clawed themselves back into the match!
    • 55' Ruiz draws a fine save from Tremmel with a thunderous volley from the edge of the box!
    • 52' GOAL! De Guzman doubles Swansea's lead following a howler from Stockdale, who scuffs an attempted clearance into Hangeland, with the ball ricocheting to de Guzman, and the midfielder produces a very composed finish into the far post!
    • 52' Swansea are really beginning to dominate now in this second half.
    • 51' Dejagah is almost caught out as he dallies inside the Fulham box, and he concedes a corner under pressure.
    • 50' Sidwell produces a driving run into the Swansea area, but he cannot get a shot away with a crowd of bodies around him.
    • 49' The home fans have been roused by that early effort from Ruiz, and are in full voice with their side needing to find a response.
    • 47' Ruiz brilliantly curls the ball over the wall and Tremmel is motionless. Unfortunately for Fulham the ball drifts agonisingly wide of the far post!
    • 46' The second half is under way, and there has been a solitary change from Swansea as Ki Sung-Yueng replaces Wayne Routledge.
    • 45+1' The whistle goes at Craven Cottage, and Swansea lead Fulham 1-0 courtesy of Graham's 19th minute finish. Fulham have had their fair share of the ball, but have not overly threatened. Jol does not look at all happy as he marches off.
    • 45' Graham holds the ball up on halfway and links up the play before winning a free kick, and that should be half-time.
    • 44' Riether does well to get to the right byline, but he cannot pick out a team-mate in the box as Tiendalli stands up very effectively.
    • 43' Ruiz's set pieces have been a bit of a disappointment so far, and he overhits a free kick which prompts a sigh from the home fans.
    • 42' Swansea beat Fulham home and away in the Premier League last season without conceding a goal.
    • 41' Sidwell is afforded lots of time and space in the Swansea half, and he drives a shot wide from 30 yards.
    • 40' The match has suddenly become very scrappy, and Jol will be very keen to get his players in and give them a good talking to.
    • 39' Laudrup is sat in the dugout looking very satisfied, while Jol is pacing the touchline in agitated fashion.
    • 38' Ruiz again warms the palms of Tremmel with a fizzing shot from 25 yards out, but Swansea are restricting Fulham to speculative efforts.
    • 37' Very intelligent play from Dyer as he intentionally volleys the ball against Briggs to win a corner.
    • 36' Ruiz draws a fine save from Tremmel as he curls a fine effort towards the far post from the edge of the Swansea penalty area!
    • 35' Berbatov has been very quiet since Fulham went behind, and the hosts are not managing to feed the striker very effectively at the moment.
    • 34' Karagounis is the first player to go int the book after a wild challenge on Dyer, and he takes out the Swansea winger quite needlessly.
    • 32' Ruiz whips over a devilish corner from the left which Swansea do not manage to clear, but inexplicably no one in a white shirt gets on the end of it either.
    • 31' Incidentally, that was Graham's second league goal of the season, and first away from home since February.
    • 29' Danny Graham has played 678 minutes without conceding a foul, more than any other Premier League player this season.
    • 28' Fulham continue to press very high up the field, and they are clearly attempting to stop Swansea playing, which has worked for the most part.
    • 27' Berbatov continues to link up the play very effectively, but Fulham have lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
    • 26' Berbatov heads the ball down for Ruiz on the edge of the penalty area, and he lashes a fierce volley over the bar!
    • 25' Ruiz curls an exquisite free kick over the crossbar, and that's a fine effort, despite it not testing Tremmel.
    • 24' Another dangerous free kick is conceded by Monk, and Ruiz will stand over this once more.
    • 23' Swansea are now passing the ball with a lot more confidence, and the goal has given the visitors a real boost.
    • 22' Frei drives a low shot narrowly wide of the far post from the left of the box as he looks to quickly draw Fulham back level!
    • 21' There is almost an instant response from Fulham as Berbatov forces Tremmel into a smart save at his near post with a shot on target from close range!
    • 20' STAT: 93% of Swansea’s goals this season have come from open play, the highest proportion in the top-flight.
    • 19' GOAL! Swansea take the lead! Dyer volleys low to Stockdale's right, and the keeper parries the ball to Graham, who is on hand to turn the ball into the net! Swansea are in front, and that was a fine finish from the striker, who makes the most of a rare start!
    • 17' STAT: Without Michu’s goals this season Swansea would drop from ninth to 16th place.
    • 16' Routledge storms down the left and cuts the ball back into the box, but Riether is on hand to intervene.
    • 15' Another corner from de Guzman calls for Hangeland to head clear, and suddenly Fulham are the side on the back foot.
    • 14' STAT: Swansea have conceded more goals from indirect free-kicks than any other side this season (6).
    • 13' Swansea are coming into the match more and more, and a fine ball from Dyer into the box almost finds Graham, only for Hughes to swoop in.
    • 12' Berbatov and Williams are locked in a very interesting battle, with the Bulgarian's movement causing havoc around the edge of the Swansea box.
    • 11' There's a period of pinball in the Fulham box as Hangeland eventually clears after a corner from de Guzman.
    • 10' Karagounis drifts outwide and whips over a fine ball into the box, but it's cleared away by Monk as Swansea soak up more pressure.
    • 9' Ruiz continues to drop deep and pick up the ball before looking to link up with Berbatov, and Jol was clearly delighted to have him back when he was talking in midweek.
    • 8' STAT: Eight of Fulham’s 29 goals this season have been scored by substitutes (28%), the highest proportion in the Premier League this season.
    • 7' Fulham are dominating the early stages and keeping the ball inside the Swansea half with the visitors unable to get the ball down so far.
    • 6' Tremmel does very well to fly off his line and punch clear in commanding fashion as a fine delivery is whipped over by Ruiz from the free kick.
    • 5' Swansea have yet to settle in this match, and Tiendalli fouls Sidwell 25 yards out as Fulham are presented with a free kick.
    • 4' Ruiz wins applause from the home fans after a nice touch and turn beats Agustien, and he is clearly the outlet for Fulham, along with Berbatov, of course.
    • 3' Ruiz drifts outwide once more and crosses into the box, and he's looking very dangerous early on.
    • 2' Fulham win a corner down the left through Frei after neat link-up play from Berbatov. Swansea clear pretty comfortably, though.
    • 1' The first half is under way at Craven Cottage, and Fulham are quickly on the ball in their own half, stroking it around at the back.
    • 14:55 Right, we're just five minutes from kick off now at Craven Cottage, and the players emerge from the tunnel. We're all set for the start of the match. Roy Hodgson is in the stands for this one.
    • 14:50 Opta fact: Danny Graham has played 678 minutes without conceding a foul, more than any other Premier League player this season.
    • 14:45 The referee for today's match is Andre Marriner. The players are currently warming up on the pitch, and Berbatov and Ruiz have their gloves on - it's a chilly afternoon.
    • 14:40 This is how the bookies have priced the match: Fulham 11/10, draw 12/5, Swansea 5/2. What do you think the result will be this afternoon? You can get in touch via Twitter... @Dan_Eurosport
    • 14:35 Opta stat: Without Michu's goals this season, Swansea would drop from ninth to 16th place. Dimitar Berbatov's goals have won Fulham only three points this season.
    • 14:30 Meanwhile, Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale makes his first Premier League appearance since February - he has failed to keep a clean sheet in his last seven appearances in the division (Infostrada).
    • 14:25 Michu is out injured for Swansea, and is replaced by Danny Graham which, considering that all six of the club's Premier League wins this season have included at least one goal from the Spaniard, is a real setback.
    • 14:20 Fulham: Stockdale, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs, Dejagah, Karagounis, Sidwell, Frei, Ruiz, Berbatov. Subs: Etheridge, Kelly, Riise, Senderos, Baird, Richardson and Rodallega. /// Swansea: Tremmel, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Tiendalli, Agustien, de Guzman, Routledge, Dyer, Hernandez, Graham. Subs: Vorm, Davies, Bartley, Britton, Ki, Shechter, Moore.
    • 14:15 Welcome to live text commentary of Fulham's Premier League encounter with Swansea City at Craven Cottage. We will have the teams with you imminently.

  • Summary

    • 75' Graham races clear of the Fulham defence and drives a low shot towards the near post, but Stockdale makes a smart save down low!
    • 68' What an effort from Frei, who drives a powerful volley towards the top corner of the net, only for Tremmel to produce an acrobatic stop to his left!
    • 56' GOAL! Fulham grab a goal back as Berbatov sees a volley blocked by Williams, only for Ruiz to turn the ball home from the six-yard box with Swansea left to desperately appeal for an offside flag in vain. Fulham have clawed themselves back into the match!
    • 55' Ruiz draws a fine save from Tremmel with a thunderous volley from the edge of the box!
    • 52' GOAL! De Guzman doubles Swansea's lead following a howler from Stockdale, who scuffs an attempted clearance into Hangeland, with the ball ricocheting to de Guzman, and the midfielder produces a very composed finish into the far post!
    • 47' Ruiz brilliantly curls the ball over the wall and Tremmel is motionless. Unfortunately for Fulham the ball drifts agonisingly wide of the far post!
    • 36' Ruiz draws a fine save from Tremmel as he curls a fine effort towards the far post from the edge of the Swansea penalty area!
    • 22' Frei drives a low shot narrowly wide of the far post from the left of the box as he looks to quickly draw Fulham back level!
    • 21' There is almost an instant response from Fulham as Berbatov forces Tremmel into a smart save at his near post with a shot on target from close range!
    • 19' GOAL! Swansea take the lead! Dyer volleys low to Stockdale's right, and the keeper parries the ball to Graham, who is on hand to turn the ball into the net! Swansea are in front, and that was a fine finish from the striker, who makes the most of a rare start!
    • 14:20 Fulham: Stockdale, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs, Dejagah, Karagounis, Sidwell, Frei, Ruiz, Berbatov. Subs: Etheridge, Kelly, Riise, Senderos, Baird, Richardson and Rodallega. /// Swansea: Tremmel, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Tiendalli, Agustien, de Guzman, Routledge, Dyer, Hernandez, Graham. Subs: Vorm, Davies, Bartley, Britton, Ki, Shechter, Moore.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4 5
      Defenders
      5.2 6
      5 6
      5.3 7
      4.4 7
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 3.7 6
      Yellow Card 4 6
      Substitution Out76′ 7.3 5
      Goal 6.2 7
      Substitution Out84′ 5.2 7
      Strikers
      6.5 6
      Subs
      Substitution In76′ - 6
      Substitution In84′ - 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7 7
      Defenders
      6.2 7
      7.2 8
      6.7 8
      6.5 7
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card Substitution Out83′ 7.1 7
      Goal 6.5 7
      6.7 6
      Substitution Out67′ 6.8 6
      Substitution Out45′ 7.4 6
      Strikers
      Goal 6.5 7
      Subs
      Substitution In83′ 6 6
      Substitution In45′ 8.3 6
      Substitution In67′ 5.5 6

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. If a player is stripping off his shirt after a goal in­ the first half, then you've lost the dressing room.­ End off. But if Fayed wants to waste his money with­ Jol, so be it.

    From TruthRaidersCousin, on Sat 29 Dec 18:26

  2. Well, that will probably be it for Martin Jol.

    From Carlo, on Sat 29 Dec 16:50

  3. There was a time when I as a lad could watch the boat­ race listen to the Grand National and see Fulham do­ their stuff all at the same time at the Fulham ground­ am 77 now and a lot of water has gone past since then­ .Now correct me if I am wrong but these last few games­ there is no heart its as if they are there but would­ rather be somewhere else they need a leader and­ unfortunately they dont have one ,on or off the field .­ just an old mans thoughts and rantings I do know one­ thing it aint far from the drop and something has got­ to be done.come on lads make an old man happy and win a­ few .........Ron Fullwood

    From ron, on Sat 29 Dec 16:18

  4. Dewch 'mlaen Yr Elyrch - mae angen curo'r rhain­ heddiw!

    From Cymro, on Sat 29 Dec 15:36

  5. Dewch 'mlaen Yr Elyrch - mae angen curo'r rhain­ heddiw!

    From Cymro, on Sat 29 Dec 15:36

  6. Oh dear 0-1

    From Stalins Ghost, on Sat 29 Dec 15:20

  7. Hopefully Graham will score two today with Dyer scoring­ should be Fulham 0 Swansea 3

    From GARETH, on Sat 29 Dec 14:30

  8. Swansea city need MICHU!!!

    From bartosz, on Sat 29 Dec 13:20

  9. 0-0

    From Jordan, on Fri 28 Dec 22:15

  10. Did you see Berba's T-shirt: keep calm and pass me­ the ball. He is the only one above average player­ Fulham ever had, but not so many balls reach him near­ the net. Hopefully he receives more passes in next­ games. He is a kind of player who needs 5-6­ opportunities, in order to score 2-3 times. But most of­ the players at Fulham need more opportunities than him­ and score less. So move the ball to Berba please!

    From Boril, on Fri 28 Dec 15:18

  11. Alan @ 1. They won't rip into Fulham, but Senderos­ - definitely! And cause him to make a few more­ mistakes, which will be another blow in Fulham's­ fight to avoid relegation.

    From TruthRaidersCousin, on Fri 28 Dec 10:28

  12. Should be an interesting one...

    From Phil, on Thu 27 Dec 22:26

  13. Fulham are struggling without clint demspey. They­ should never have sold him. Swansea city will rip into­ them at craven cottage like they did last season.

    From Alan, on Thu 27 Dec 0:49
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