Marco Silva praised Roy Hodgson’s impact at Crystal Palace since his return, which has seen the Eagles find their feet in front of goal and climb the Premier League table.
Hodgson, who took over from Patrick Vieira in March, has steered the Eagles to safety with five wins in eight matches. There has also been an upturn in attacking output, with the south London club scoring 15 goals since their 4-1 defeat to Arsenal two months ago.
Fulham boss Silva talked up Palace’s improved attacking form, attributing it to the confidence former England boss Hodgson has instilled in his squad since his arrival.
https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1659151853245038593?s=20
“The new manager impact for sure (has helped them in front of goal) because they are in a good moment,” Silva said ahead of Saturday’s clash between the teams at Craven Cottage.
“It was a matter of confidence for them to find goals because they have the quality, the talent up front, to punish any team in this league.
“When they won the first game under Roy (Hodgson) and then the second, the confidence came again on different levels and they’re now expressing themselves, you can feel during the matches.
“The way some of their players are playing right now you can feel they are full of confidence.”
Silva’s side dismantled Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park in December but the Fulham boss admitted he expects a different challenge on Saturday as he highlighted the form of their young players.
Eagles top goalscorer Eberechi Eze has netted six goals in eight games, including a brace in last week’s 2-0 victory over Bournemouth, and Silva is aware of their attacking threat.
Silva added: “They also have the quality there, (Michael) Olise, Eze, (Wilfried) Zaha, (Odsonne) Edouard, the support they have from the midfielders.
“With the players they have they can go on, I think they have a lot of individual quality in the attacking line.
“You can see the young talents who have the experience already in the Premier League to create many problems for the opposition every time.
“They have some very good connections, the players link (with) each other very well and of course some players in the back line too.
“I think it will be a very good game against a good side who will want to keep the same capacity to get points – and we want to do the same.”
The Cottagers have avoided any threat of relegation on their return to the top flight, spending the majority of the campaign in the top half.
Silva, who stated in the summer that his squad “was not ready” for the league, credited his players for their efforts – they are currently only two points off their record Premier League points tally of 53.
He added: “We showed the capacity to adapt in any moment of the season in what the season demands of ourselves…some moments without our full squad, without some important players for us.”
Montego Bay United relinquish JPL lead after crushing defeat to Mount Pleasant
Montego Bay United’s reign at the top of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standings came to an abrupt end on Sunday after a decisive 3-0 loss to Mount Pleasant in the North Coast Derby at Drax Hall. The result allowed Waterhouse to claim the top spot on the table despite playing to a 0-0 draw with Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park.
Mount Pleasant delivered a commanding performance, with coach Theodore "Tappa" Whitmore lauding his team’s defensive solidity and disciplined play.
"I thought it was an excellent performance, a collective effort from the unit. I think defensively we were solid, we didn't concede," said Whitmore. "For the past couple of games we have been missing penalties, but we happened to put one away today. Coach Ferguson said in our team meeting that we are getting a penalty today, and we did get it."
Despite challenging conditions due to a wet playing surface, Mount Pleasant maintained their style of play throughout the match.
"That's what we want to do, we want to keep our standard. I think we controlled the game for the most part, we didn't give the opponent any look-in. I think that augured well for us," Whitmore added.
The loss was a major blow to Montego Bay United, who now sit in third place with 20 points, level with Portmore United but behind on goal difference.
Waterhouse climbed to 21 points, one ahead of both Montego Bay United and Portmore United, after their goalless draw with Portmore. Both teams had chances in a tightly contested affair, but neither could find the breakthrough.
Portmore missed a golden opportunity five minutes into the second half when Junior Grizzle failed to convert. Waterhouse improved as the game progressed, but Shacquwell Henry came closest to securing a winner for Portmore, glancing a header wide from six yards out with 10 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere, Tivoli Gardens produced a scintillating display to crush Harbour View 6-0, marking one of the most emphatic results of the season. Meanwhile, Humble Lion and Dunbeholden played out a 0-0 stalemate.
'I'm probably more out than in' - Salah yet to be offered Liverpool extension
Mohamed Salah says he is "probably more out than in" at Liverpool as he is yet to receive an offer to extend his contract.
The Egyptian is Liverpool's top scorer this season, having netted 12 goals in all competitions, but is in the final months of his current deal, which runs out at the end of the campaign.
Salah became the first player to score in five successive Premier League appearances for the Reds with his two goals in the 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday, since the Egyptian himself in October 2021 (seven in a row).
His second goal in that match was also his 100th away from Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions.
Salah, who has scored 223 goals since joining from Roma in 2017, admitted he was disappointed with the current contract situation.
"We are almost in December, and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club," he said. "I'm probably more out than in.
"I'm not going to retire soon, so I'm just playing, focusing on the season, and I'm trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I'm disappointed, but we will see."
Only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (12) has bettered Salah's tally of 10 goals this term.
Salah is one of three high-profile Liverpool players in the final year of their contracts, with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also approaching the end of their deals.
"You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this," Salah added.
"But in the end, it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December, and I haven't received anything yet about my future.
"I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end, it is not in my hands or the fans' hands. Let's wait and see."
Mbappe getting 'up to speed' with Real Madrid team-mates
Kylian Mbappe believes he is finally getting up to speed with his Real Madrid team-mates after scoring in a 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganes on Sunday.
Mbappe, who had played in a central attacking role since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, went four games without scoring in all competitions before netting the opener against Leganes.
The 25-year-old has come under scrutiny since his move, despite scoring eight goals in his opening 16 matches in all competitions, as he has not hit the free-scoring heights he showed while at PSG.
He scored his seventh league goal of the campaign after being moved back to his preferred position on the left, with Carlo Ancelotti saying after the game he was satisfied with the tactical shift.
Mbappe combined well with fellow attacker Vinicius Junior, who usually operates down that flank, as the Brazilian set up the goal.
"Vinicius and I read each other very well. I've got a great relationship with him, and he's a great player," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the win.
"I think I put in a good performance. I'm starting to get up to speed with my team-mates. I can play in every position, and I'm ready to help the team and give my all.
"It's the story of my career. I play on the right, on the left, in the middle and with two up top. It doesn't matter to me. I want to help the team and score goals."
Madrid are second in the league, four points behind Barcelona, who have played one game more. The leaders drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
