If Fulham survive in the Premier League, December will be seen as the turning point.
Having defeated Leicester City at the end of November the team was at last proclaiming its right to be in the top tier.
After escaping a hiding at Manchester City, they impressed neutral observers with their confident display against Liverpool in the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, the only home match so far this season to accommodate home supporters.
Brighton’s visit yielded another point – though any spectators present would have been disappointed by the poor quality of the match. That was not the case at Newcastle where Fulham really went on the attack. Their pressure was rewarded by a bizarre goal in which Tosin Adarabioyo’s header hit Matt Ritchie in the face and rebounded across the line.
The home side equalised in a controversial incident that needed an over-long study by VAR. As Callum Wilson made for goal Joachim Andersen tried to delay him with his hand, well outside the area and again just on the line. Wilson had tumbled unnecessarily, but the key issue was the timing and the extent of Andersen’s contact.
A process that occupied referee Graham Scott so long indicated how difficult it was to decide and yet he opted for the most drastic option, a penalty combined with a red card for the Dane. Callum Wilson scored from the spot (will he be available in the transfer window?) but significantly Fulham’s subsequent appeal for wrongful dismissal was upheld by the authorities and Andersen was freed to play again. The 1-1 draw gave the players a point, but they deserved three.
Parker misses out
Scott Parker had to miss Southampton’s visit because he was self-isolating, but he will have approved of his team’s confident showing against a club much higher in the table.
A neat passing movement on the left gave Ademola Lookman an early opportunity but he shot straight at goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. The referee then rejected the Whites’ appeal for a penalty when the ball struck Jan Bednarek’s elbow. Andre- Frank Anguissa, who has contributed much to the team’s recent revival, fluffed a decent chance just before Southampton’s Che Adams suffered a similar embarrassment.
The second half provided better fare. Antonee Robinson, Ivan Cavaleiro and 83rd minute substitute Aleks Mitrovic all wasted chances of scoring whilst Southampton twice put the ball past Alphonse Areola only for both to be ruled offside. Fulham’s website boasted of ‘two perfectly executed offside traps’. Perhaps.
The officials did spot Shane Long’s infringement, but video assistance was needed to disallow Theo Walcott’s stylish effort. Ola Aina also survived a penalty appeal. It was no wonder that commentators Jim and Jamie suddenly became enamoured of the new system:
“I love that VAR.”
“So, do I. The best thing in the world.”
Jokes aside, Fulham’s defence has improved beyond recognition. The Southampton game finished 0-0, so the Whites had only conceded twice in four matches.
Unfortunately, the attack was less impressive, achieving only one effort on target against the Saints, that early and indifferent shot from Lookman. Even if his teammates had had been more prolific, Bobby DeCordova’s brilliance against Liverpool would surely have been earned him a goal of the month award. It is a pity that his only competitor was the luckless Matt Ritchie.
December, and the calendar year, should have ended with a visit to Tottenham but Covid intervened. Let us hope that this scourge is soon just a bad memory.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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