Fulham

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Marco Silva spoke to BBC Sport after Fulham's draw against Arsenal: "I'm more pleased with the way our players fought, the commitment, the organisation.

"It's always tough when we play against them but they know it will be tough too. We create a difficult scenario for them.

"We have to be honest and fair. On the ball it was one of the games we had less time on the ball. We scored a very good goal. Second half was more difficult. The team has less energy.

"They scored a really tight goal. The players were brave enough. Second half much more control from them but not big chances.

"Performance-wise it wasn't the best game from ourselves.

"What a goal, what a move and what a finish.

"It's been a tough week. In eight days we played Tottenham, Brighton and Arsenal. They've been great. The momentum is here for us. We have to be proud of the season so far."

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Fulham are unbeaten in their past nine London derbies in league competition, their longest run since September 2001 (nine).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Fulham’s performance

What did you make of Arsenal’s display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Fulham v Arsenal - 14:00 - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

• Ipswich v Bournemouth - 14:00

• Leicester v Brighton 14:00

• Tottenham v Chelsea - 16:30 - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

All kick-off times GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 live and I'm really looking forward to it. Fulham won this fixture last season and they had a brilliant win over Brighton last time out.

I can't believe I went for the Seagulls to win that game, because I know how strong Fulham are at Craven Cottage. It is only the fact they are playing Arsenal that is stopping me going for a home win here.

Arsenal needed corners to find a way past Manchester United on Wednesday, but they deserved to win the game anyway.

Martin Odegaard is a special talent and he is the difference-maker for them. He knits everything together and he is the reason they are going on a bit of a run. Their confidence is growing and they look strong all over the pitch.

They did not miss Gabriel at the back against United, but this might be a tougher test for them, especially because some of Fulham's key players are Gunners old boys.

One of them could easily come back to haunt Arsenal and put a dent in their title bid, but Arteta's side have got the ability to grind out results when they need to.

Payne's prediction: 1-3

Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are like a dream double act, who are beautiful to watch. Their inter-play is like poetry and I could watch it all day. Fulham have been doing OK and it's good to see Raul Jimenez back among the goals, but I feel like Arsenal will have too much.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Fulham's Emile Smith Rowe says the move across London from boyhood club Arsenal this summer has "actually been quite easy" before the sides meet on Sunday.

Since making the club record move to Craven Cottage in the search of more regular game time, Smith Rowe has started 13 of 14 Premier League matches - scoring three times and assisting twice.

"At the age 24, you want to be playing every week and getting opportunities and it was getting to the point where I wasn't really getting opportunities anymore for whatever reason," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I had to make the decision to move on. I'm getting my chances now and I'm really happy with it.

"I obviously want show them what they are missing out on in terms of being there and leaving, but it's nothing personal. I have so much love for them but obviously I want to win with Fulham."

Smith Rowe joined Arsenal's academy as a 10-year-old and made 115 appearances for the Gunners. However, he struggled with injuries and consistency for the last two seasons before leaving for Fulham in the summer.

Reflecting on the move, he said: "I thought it would be a lot harder than it has been. It has actually been quite easy.

"I thought I would be really upset and sad. It was obviously the hardest decision I have ever had to make - but definitely the right one. I feel like I have settled in really well and I am really happy.

"Marco [Silva]has given me so much confidence, given me the freedom to just enjoy myself and if I make a mistake just go again."

Listen to the full chat with Smith Rowe during 5 Live Premier League Sunday from 12:00 GMT

Then listen to full commentary of Fulham v Arsenal from 14:00

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "They're arriving now to the training ground for the session. We have to keep assessing them, it's a short period to the Arsenal game. Assessing them and recovering them. Right now, Reiss Nelson was going to be out anyway because he's on loan from Arsenal. The first feedback I got from the medical staff is that it's going to be a hamstring injury. He's going to be out for this game for sure and probably the next game. Let's see how many more."

• On why Arsenal won't be taking them lightly: "No-one surprises anyone in Premier League no more. You know how Mikel [Arteta] and the Arsenal team respect everybody in this competition, they know that it's really tough to play and win games at this level."

• On the short turnaround between their game in midweek: "It's not the best scenario, it's not going to be an excuse for us. Yes Arsenal is going to be more rested by 24 hours than us. If I'm in the opposite side I'm going to say you have a small advantage in that situation because you are going to start the game less than 72 hours from the last night game but it is what it is."

• On the fixture schedule, he continued: "We started last night, straight away to prepare for the game. Of course all of us, myself, Mikel [Arteta] would prefer to have a proper week to prepare the game on the weekend but we don't have and we have to be ready for it. We know what is going to happen throughout the December month, it's not going to be the first time for us, in 15 days we are going to have the same again."

• Silva was also asked about Arsenal's strength from set-pieces: "Last season, we did really well in that situation, we scored twice against them in set-pieces last season, and the reality is that they didn't score [from a set-piece] against us, and let's hope we can repeat the same."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.

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Fulham came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in this fixture last season - but they have never won consecutive league games, or even home league games, against the Gunners before.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Fulham and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

David: A definite smash and grab victory but we'll take it, most of the match a draw would have been a good result. Nelson injury looks bad, hope he returns quickly as he's very influential. Berge had an excellent game again. Will be tougher against Arsenal on Sunday.

Tim: Thrilled for Iwobi, who my Fantasy Football team is named after! Not sure I agree that Brighton dominated. Fulham created their fair share of chances despite what that stats might stay.

Bob: As I said previously we need to be more forceful in the way we beat teams. The early goal helped. We need to go into the second half of games without conceding early. Great result tonight! All round top performance from Iwobi. The rest of our team backed each other up.

Brighton fans

Chris: After a shaky start we absolutely dominated and looked the more likely winner. Cruel luck and a great finish by Iwobi turned a probable victory into an unlikely defeat…lots to be pleased with just not our night.

Phil: Not winning enough 50/50 balls, not using Mitoma and Adingra on the wings enough, and not enough through balls into space.

Rob: Another poor performance - we've flattered to deceive on several occasions and finally been caught out. Our league position is definitely false but we have a really good squad which is slowly beginning to gel. Europe is too much of an ask for this season but should be on for next.

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Fulham boss Marco Silva on the 3-1 win over Brighton: "It was a big three points for us in a tough game. We started in the best way possible with the early goal but Brighton made it really difficult for us in the first half. They started with three at the back and it made it difficult for us to connect with the wide players.

"Second half we were much better. We conceded in a moment we should prepare better for the long ball. It was a good shot from the edge of the box. Difficult game but a big three points for us.

"We played with Alex Iwobi in a different position. He's an offensive player and did an amazing job."

Did you know?

• Fulham are unbeaten in all nine of their Premier League games against Brighton, the most they've ever faced an opponent without ever losing in the competition.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, PA Media

Alex Iwobi scored one goal at the start of the match and another at the end of it as Fulham battled the wet and windy conditions to secure a 3-1 win over Brighton at Craven Cottage.

Iwobi was in the right spot to capitalise on an error from away goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to score his fourth league goal of the campaign, with his fifth, a fine strike, clinching the three points in the 87th minute.

Boss Marco Silva was quick to praise Iwobi, who had been used in a more central attacking midfield role instead of his often-seen position out wide.

"Alex has been outstanding from the first day of pre-season," said Silva. "He is in a happy place and he is a fantastic footballer. Last season was his best season in the Premier League and one or two months ago I said he would be even better in this one.

"He is really versatile and I can use him in many different positions. He's a top player with the way he can assist and score goals more than ever. What a game for him and he deserved all the credit."

Iwobi's versatility could be important in a frantic next few weeks as Reiss Nelson, another of Fulham's wide options, went off injured with an injury to his left hamstring, although he would have been unable to play against his parent club Arsenal on Sunday anyway.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Fulham's performance, external

What did you make of Brighton's display?, external

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

Two matches make up Thursday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Fulham v Brighton (19:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Bournemouth v Tottenham (20:15) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times GMT

Follow all the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 14 he takes on James Ryan, bassist with rock band The Slow Readers Club.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Fulham were excellent against Tottenham on Sunday and their boss Marco Silva is probably still scratching his head about how they lost so heavily to Wolves the last time they were at Craven Cottage.

Regular readers will know I usually go with Fulham to win at home but I am not sure this time, because of how good Brighton have been so far.

There are reasons to back either side here, so I am going to split the difference and go with a draw.

Ryan's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Fulham and Stockport County are interested in 16-year-old English midfielder Gabriel Schluter, who has impressed for Blackpool's academy sides. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Centre-back Joachim Andersen and midfielder Harrison Reed remain out, but Silva has no other injury concerns. Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic are suspended but Andreas Pereira is available.

• Asked about potential incomings during the January transfer window, Silva said: "All managers and clubs want the same; to step forward and improve if you can. I'm no different. Someone coming to our football club has to be someone who can have an impact. If we can improve something, we will do our best. Of course it has to be right with our budget and the moment of the season."

• Silva added: "For someone to come, they have to be a really good player because we have been playing really well, the players have been doing well and they have to be able to make an impact."

• On the season so far: "I'm proud because I can feel that we all have confidence. Sometimes it comes from results, other times from the way you perform. We all share the same confidence because we all know the way we work and the players know their abilities as well. When you see fans proud, I have to be proud because our job is to make them proud. If we play any side and are at our best, then it is difficult for them [the opposition] as well."

• Silva praised centre-back Issa Diop, who made his first start for more than a month in Sunday's draw at Tottenham: "He's a really vocal player in our group, he understands really well our ideas and philosophy as a team. He needs to have more confidence in himself sometimes because when he's at his best level, he's always able to step in - like he did in the last game."

• Silva said of Brighton: "They have a clear identity as a club. When they go into the market, they have been able what they really need and want." He added that their summer spending "shows the ambition of the club right now".

Listen to Fulham v Brighton commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra on Wednesday

Read the highlights from Wednesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Fulham are unbeaten in all eight of their Premier League games against Brighton (winning four, drawing four). #

It is the joint-most they have faced a side without ever losing (along with Norwich) and the most the Seagulls have faced a side without ever winning in the competition.

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

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Tom Cairney’s Fulham career has always been defined by moments.

Bagging a 95th-minute equaliser against Leeds in the Championship to keep a play-off charge alive. Scoring the 100th goal of our title-winning season on the last day against Luton Town. Netting the winner in the play-off final against Aston Villa at Wembley. The list goes on.

As our captain approaches a decade at the club, he experienced two contrasting moments against Spurs on Sunday.

Let’s focus on the positive, though, shall we? I’ve tipped my cap to Marco Silva before for turning TC into an impact player, managing his minutes and transforming a player who, though universally loved, was starting to spend more time on the treatment table than in the matchday squad.

On Saturday he came off the bench and promptly rolled back the years, finishing with aplomb after picking up a ball from Alex Iwobi.

That should have been that - Captain Fantastic helping us to a hard-fought point and putting the Wolves defeat firmly in the rear view. But 16 minutes later he saw red. It was clumsy make no mistake, but not malicious - Cairney’s the epitome of “not that kind of player”.

Luckily for Tom, the outcome was the same. The boys held on for the remaining seven minutes of the game plus seven more of added time. Given our penchant for late capitulations, that feels like a win. And with Arsenal then Liverpool in our next two games, getting any points on the board this weekend was vital.

All things considered, an easy misdemeanour to forgive, then, and another opportunity to give flowers to a man who really is Mr Fulham.

Drink it in, for we are not going to be treated to many more of his magic moments. As the song goes, there really “Ain’t nobody like Tom Cairney”.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

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Fulham have been drawn to play Watford in the FA Cup third round at Craven Cottage.

The tie will take place between 9-13 January.

See the full draw here