Fulham

Millie Sian, BBC Sport

Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Burnley.

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• Fulham have won three of five games in December, including reaching a League Cup semi-final for the first time in the club's history, but Silva isn't stopping there: "It's been a good December month, but Christmas hasn't arrived yet. For us to have a really good Christmas, we have to win again tomorrow."

• In terms of injuries, Tim Ream and Adama Traore are still unavailable for selection. Willian should be able to start the match, if selected, after he felt a hamstring issue during the game against West Ham.

• Silva believes they will struggle to replicate their past two 5-0 home victories: "No-one can prepare games in the Premier League. In our past three home games we have scored 13 goals, but those games have their own history. We have to write a different one next time."

• On facing Burnley: "It's a really dangerous game, I don't have doubts about it. What I can tell you is, even without the best results, they are a really organised team and they really know what they want to do on the pitch."

• Silva added: "We are already preparing by looking for their qualities, their strengths, and something we can exploit. Our players will be on the pitch knowing everything about how we can hold and control them."

• Fulham will have "ambition" in the January transfer window: "We cannot stand still. We always have to look with ambition to improve things on and off the pitch. If a window is an opportunity to improve the squad, let's try to do it. Of course, it's not easy for a club like us to spend lots of money."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences

Tosin Adarabioyo has told Fulham that he wants to leave the club next summer on a free transfer. The former England youth international defender has previously interested Tottenham and Monaco. (Sun), external

Fulham and West Ham United are keen on 23-year-old Nigerian forward Akor Adams, who could leave Montpellier in January for a fee of around £15-20m. (Football Insider), external

Fulham, Brentford and Crystal Palace are keen on Getafe's 26-year-old Spanish striker Borja Mayoral. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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

Dan Crawford, Hammy End, external

Some of my contributions this season have been downbeat, what with uncertainty over the futures of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Willian, Marco Silva and the strength of the first-team squad since the summer.

The Whites have recovered well from the loss of our former talisman to reach mid-table and signed Silva, Willian, Antonee Robinson and now Bernd Leno to new contracts.

The way to make it a perfect Christmas would be for the Fulham hierarchy to rethink their ridiculous ticket pricing policy.

London's oldest professional side has always been a family club but matchday prices of more than £100 and an 18% increase in the cost of a season ticket has priced out longstanding loyal supporters.

Fulham's ownership have failed to respond to the protests before and during the Manchester United game last month - offering an affordable option to watch Silva's stylish side would be a welcome Christmas present.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany says Saturday's opponents Fulham deserve credit for their approach to becoming a sustainable Premier League club.

Marco Silva's side finished 10th in their first season back in the top flight last season and find themselves 11th after 17 games this term.

Kompany says the Cottagers have built a competitive squad and are "ready" to challenge at this level.

"We always mention the Brightons and Brentfords who consistently built over a period of time to be successful," Kompany said in his news conference. "But Fulham in their own way are one of those clubs too.

"The profile of player has been carefully selected, there is cohesion in the squad now. They've gone down and come back stronger; a lot of the players are between the ages of 26 and 30 so are ready for this league.

"It is a healthy squad and they are a club that deserves a positive mention for the work they've done over the years."

Fluminense and Brazil midfielder Andre, 22, has reiterated his desire to play in the Premier League, amid interest from Fulham. (Standard), external

Meanwhile, Tottenham have a long-standing interest in English defender Tosin Adarabioyo and could make a move for him in January, but Fulham hope the 26-year-old will extend his contract with them beyond next summer. (Standard), external

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

• Since beating Fulham 2-0 in May 2021, Burnley are winless in their past eight Premier League games in London (D4 L4), losing each of the past three in a row.

• Fulham have won 5-0 in their past two Premier League home games (against Nottingham Forest and West Ham). There have been three occasions in the competition's history of a team winning by 5+ goals in three in a row at home - Chelsea (April-August 2010), Manchester City (September-October 2017) and City again (May-August 2021).

• Burnley have picked up just two points in their 15 Premier League matches this season against sides who were in the Premier League last season (D2 L13). Indeed, five of the Clarets' past 10 top-flight wins have been against newly promoted teams, including both this season.

• Fulham's four Premier League games in December have seen 20 goals scored (13 for, 7 against), more than any other side. Their 13 goals scored is already the most the Cottagers have netted in a single month in the top flight since December 1966 (16).

• Burnley's Jay Rodriguez has made 249 Premier League appearances and could become the first player to reach 250 while playing for Burnley since Ashley Westwood in March 2021. He has two goals and two assists in his past three Premier League starts against Fulham.

• Willian has been involved in five goals in his past five Premier League home games for Fulham (4 goals, 1 assist), while team-mate Alex Iwobi has been involved in four in his past three at Craven Cottage (3 goals, 1 assist).

The annual feast of festive Premier League football is about to get under way.

So what is your best memory of following Fulham at Christmas?

Mince pies on the train for a Boxing Day away trip? Squinting through the snow to see your team score a late winner? Ending the year with a Christmas cracker?

Let us know here

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham fan Dan Cooke speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "It is potentially Marco Silva's most impressive season as Fulham manager.

"His first season he was operating in the Championship with a fantastic squad and we won it at a canter. Last season we signed well and he performed well with that team.

"But this season we lost our top goal scorer and didn't sign as well in the summer transfer window. The work he has done with this team is fantastic especially over the past month or two bringing us success in the league and cup.

"What he has done for Fulham over the past three years is putting him in real high esteem."

We asked for your thoughts on Tuesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final clash between Everton and Fulham.

Here's what you had to say:

Everton fans

Darren: A lacklustre and frustrating performance and probably what we deserved, although we could have won it but for an awful Amadou Onana penalty.

Anton: A match too far for Everton but still cannot overly criticise the performance. After a slow start, we were all over them in the first half and then showed spirit to equalise. Penalties are famously a lottery and I will never criticise players who are brave enough to take one. Final point, perhaps it is time to start Beto ahead of Calvert-Lewin? On to Spurs!

Paul: Pretty lightweight performance and offered very little threat. A lopsided back four altered the continuity of the past few weeks and a poorly-taken penalty by Onana summed the evening up.

Fulham fans

Jez: Savour it, fellow Whites - for the first time in our history, we’re in the League Cup semis! As for the game: scrappy, physical, frenetic and a Fulham performance of true grit got us over the line. I don’t think I’ve seen a faster game - fitness levels of both sides were ridiculous - and it was only fitting that “Super Leno” was our penalty hero!

Mark: We are consistently underrated and written off. Under Marco Silva, we have found a resilience and a way to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goals. Best run in the various forms of this cup. It will be fantastic for great servants of the club like Tom Cairney to get to a major final.

Edward: Fantastic Fulham played Brazil used to in the 1970s. Wembley, here we come!

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Silva said "we are really delighted for the moment we are living" after Fulham beat Everton on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Defender Tosin Adarabioyo scored the winning spotkick in sudden death after Everton's after Idrissa Gueye struck the post. Earlier in the shootout, Amadou Onana had the opportunity to win it for the Toffees but Bernd Leno saved his tame effort.

"We are all delighted, no doubt about it," said Silva. "It was a huge moment from Bernd when he kept us in the game with the fifth penalty from Onana.

"I am really delighted because it is not easy to keep the composure and quality in the penalty shootout.

"We achieved something the club had never done in the past. We want more but we are really delighted for this evening and the moment we are living.

"We are going to play the semi-finals with the dream to play at Wembley."

Silva also heaped huge praise on Adarabioyo after sending the Whites through to a first domestic semi-final in 22 seasons.

"He is a key player for us, one of the leaders in our dressing room and we need them to step up," said Silva. "He didn't play the first three months of the season, but he is a special player for us. He can defend the box and on the ball he builds the way I want him to.

"He is getting better and better and it was a great performance tonight. To be able to take the decisive penalty, he deserves all the credit."

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is no longer a target for Liverpool in January. Other top clubs want him, but Bayern Munich consider him to be too expensive. (Sky Sport Germany), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Tosin Adarabioyo was the hero, converting the winning spot-kick in the shootout, as Fulham beat Everton on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Centre-back Tosin stepped up in sudden death, after Idrissa Gueye struck the post, and rolled home to send the Cottagers through to a first domestic semi-final in 22 seasons.

Marco Silva's men were triumphant here in the opening game of the campaign courtesy of a smash-and-grab victory and they went home to London victorious once again.

The opener came four minutes before half-time via Michael Keane's own goal, with the Everton defender diverting the ball into his own net from Antonee Robinson's cross.

The hosts could have hit back immediately but James Tarkowski was unable to get enough of a firm connection on James Garner's free-kick and flicked his headed effort narrowly off target.

Everton searched for the equaliser in the second period and Jack Harrison fizzed a long-range drive just wide before substitute Beto headed in from close range with nine minutes remaining.

The game went to penalties with Bobby De Cordova-Reid seeing his effort saved by Jordan Pickford and Amadou Onana's weak effort was kept out by Bernd Leno, before Tosin sent the travelling fans into raptures.

The draw for the semi-finals takes place on Wednesday, with the first leg of those ties being played in the week commencing 8 January.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

How did you rate the side's performance, Everton fans?

Fulham fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

Follow all the reaction here

There are three Carabao Cup quarter-finals being played on Tuesday, and we'll bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

Image source, PA Media

The draw for the Carabao Cup semi-finals will be made on Wednesday, once the fourth quarter-final between Liverpool and West Ham United has ended.

The semi-final first legs will be played during week beginning 8 January, with the second legs taking place in week beginning 22 January.

The winners of those last-four ties will progress to the final at Wembley on Sunday, 25 February.

In the run up to Christmas, we are bringing you plenty of festive football action.

Tune into BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra for match commentary of three Carabao Cup ties and three Premier League fixtures in the final week before Christmas.

Sammy James, Fulhamish, external

Saturday's defeat at Newcastle United was disappointing, but I'd have happily lost that by five or six goals if it ensured progression in the Carabao Cup against Everton.

That might be extreme, but Tuesday's quarter-final feels massive. Our record in the EFL Cup is absolutely atrocious. This is our first appearance in the last eight for 18 years, and we've never got to a semi-final.

Fulham, of course, have never won a major trophy, making us arguably one of the biggest clubs in the country with no silverware. I feel like cup runs, when they come along, mean even more to our fanbase than most.

Last season's quarter-final exit from the FA Cup against Manchester United was so painful, and I really hope we can avenge that day.

We've won our past three visits to Goodison Park, including this season on the opening day, but Everton feel like a different beast now. We are going to have to play at our very best to have a chance of going through.

However, we are in good form and there's no reason we can't pull off a result.

Let's hope we can make some history.

Manchester United, Fulham, West Ham and AC Milan had scouts at Allianz Arena on Sunday to watch Stuttgart's 27-year-old Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy in his side's 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich. (90min), external

Fulham are weighing up a January bid for Montpellier's 23-year-old Nigerian forward Akor Adams. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Fulham manager Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Everton.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• Silva confirmed that Tim Ream and Adama Traore remain sidelined, while Calvin Bassey will "probably be available" for Tuesday's match.

• On Saturday's defeat to Newcastle: "We showed resilience and organisation. Unfortunately, we conceded the first goal and it was difficult after that. It was a difficult game, it’s a difficult place to go."

• Silva said Raul Jimenez's red card on Saturday was a "harsh decision": "We are seeing right now that any time they call the referee to the screen, more than 95% of decisions are already made from VAR. VAR tries to convince them that has to be the decision. In some moments I believe the referee should stick with his own decision."

• On the trip to Goodison Park: "It’s really difficult to play at Goodison. It’s been a great reaction since the point deduction. It shows their resilience. It’s not a surprise to me; they have great players and a brilliant manager."

• More on opponents Everton and their manager Sean Dyche: "It's a tough game. They have shown resilience and you can see they click together with the fans, team and staff. They have good players and an experienced manager. Knowing what he demands from his players, it shows they are all together and that creates a strong connection between everyone at that football club."

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And Match of the Day 2 brings you a round-up of Sunday's games.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United

Listen to Saturday's commentaries here:

Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace

Burnley 0-2 Everton

Fulham are considering a move for 24-year-old Feyenoord and Netherlands midfielder Mats Wieffer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Michael Emons, BBC Sport at St James’ Park

Fulham boss Marco Silva was left fuming at the referee decision that led to his side losing 3-0 at Newcastle United.

Striker Raul Jimenez was shown a straight red card in only the 22nd minute following an intervention from the video assistant referee after the Mexican striker leaped out of control and caught home midfielder Sean Longstaff.

While Silva acknowledged Jimenez’s challenge was not a good one - originally earning him a yellow card before then being upgraded following a check to red - Silva’s main frustration was the inconsistency after Jamaal Lascelles’ flailing arm that caught Jimenez two minutes earlier went unpunished.

But the red card left the result as inevitable. Fulham had managed to still look a threat on the counter attack in the first half, but could not repeat the feat in the second as they were overrun.

Newcastle scored three goals and also hit the post late on after hitting the crossbar in the first half.

That’s now eight away league games without a win in a row for Silva’s Fulham and this was an afternoon to forget for his side.