RYAN SESSEGNON’s epic comeback at Fulham has been a real success story.
The 25-year-old, who joined the club at eight-years old, was on target with his third Premier League goal this season to cap off his recent contract extension.
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Ryan Sessegnon’s fine finish from the rebound was enough to hand Fulham all three points Credit: Action Images via Reuters
Ex-Tottenham man Sessegnon wheeled away after scoring his third goal of the season Credit: Ben Whitley/PA Wire
Fulham took a gamble in signing him from Tottenham in 2024, but they’ve nursed him back to fitness and are now reaping the rewards.
The fans love him too, as they belted out “he’s one of our own” in a nod to Sessegnon making his professional debut for the club at just 16-years-old and 81 days in 2016.
Sessegnon’s goal has put Fulham back in contention for a place in Europe with Marco Silva’s side looking off the pace in recent weeks.
Villa obviously have one eye on next week’s Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
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But this result will have put a dent in them trying to secure Champions League football through their league position.
Fulham romped out the starting blocks, with Emile Smith Rowe sending an inch-perfect cross from the left, but Harry Wilson was snaffled up before he could get a shot off.
Raul Jimenez then headed a dangerous Sessegnon cross straight at Villa stopper Emiliano Martinez.
England boss Thomas Tuchel was spotted in the VIP seats in Fulham’s glitzy Riverside Stand with his sunnies on, spying on the various England hopefuls.
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Tammy Abraham spurned a great chance to equalise front close range Credit: Getty
Villa boss Unai Emery was fuming after Abraham’s costly miss late in the game Credit: Getty Images
He may have been thinking twice about his choice as the game hit a lull and was crying out for an opening goal.
Villa finally produced some pazazz as Morgan Rogers twisted inside and out of Fulham’s defence before lashing a shot just shy of Bernd Leno’s goal.
Not long after that, Ollie Watkins wrestled off Joachim Andersen before firing just inches wide.
But two minutes before half-time it was Sessegnon who delivered for his boyhood club in the sunshine.
It all began with Timothy Castagne’s run and cross to Sasa Lukic, whose header was palmed out by Martinez.
Sessegnon pounced and lashed in the rebound as Silva and the rest of the Cottage went berserk.
It was the first time the wing-back has found the back of the net since scoring against Wolves on 1 November last year.
After the break, Fulham burst out the traps again with Wilson breaking free in front of goal but sending a low drive wide.
Villa were falling flat and Unai Emery looked as though he was ready to blow a gasket.
Fulham thought they had bagged another as Castagne latched on to a dipping and curling Lukic corner to slot home.
But referee Michael Oliver ruled it out due to a foul as Sander Berge appeared to have too much of a grip on Martinez – and VAR concurred.
Silva went ballistic effing and jeffing, or whatever the Portuguese equivalent is, on the touchline.
Emery had seen enough and with 16 minutes to go made a quadruple change of Emiliano Buendia, John McGin, Lamara Bogarde and Youri Tielemans off.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho, Ross Barkley, Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz entered the fray.
It was a disappointing day for Watkins in front of England boss Tuchel as he was then hauled off for Tammy Abraham.
Abraham injected a new spark and shimmied into acres of space but made a mess of his finish and hoofed it well over to sum up Villa’s afternoon.
