Man City 5-1 Fulham
Before the advent of the internet, many people relied on CEEFAX for the news and sports headlines.
At least once a week it was implied that Fulham were about to make a big signing – no name mentioned, no clue to his identity except that he would be an important addition. Deft use of speech marks and question marks left the outcome in doubt and with Fulham’s money problems it rarely if ever came true.
This summer has reminded me of those distant times.
Countless players were apparently on the point of signing for the Whites whilst some of our favourites were being lured away. There was a real CEEFAX feel about the headline ‘FULHAM SHOWING INTEREST IN £10M BEAST’.
In the event, the only major loss was Aleksandar Mitrovic. In addition to those who arrived before the season began, Marco Silva could welcome four late signings: Alex Iwobe (Everton), Fode Ballo-Toure (AC Milan). Timothy Castagne (Leicester) and Steven Benda (Swansea).
Probably the best news of all was that Joao Palhinha was staying at the Cottage. The player must feel unhappy about having his transfer to Bayern Munich blocked because no suitable replacement could be signed in time. But I hope the fences can be mended.
Raul Jimenez was the only newcomer in the starting line-up at the Etihad last Saturday with Calvin Bassey, Adama Traore and Castagne on the bench. Understandably there was no sign of Palhinha.
The Whites gave a very good account of themselves in the first half hour and were disappointed to concede a goal. A typical City passing movement ended with Erling Haaland teeing up the ball for Julian Alvarez. Even with repeated viewings it was extremely difficult to tell whether Haaland was onside.
In such instances, I suppose that the spirit of the game requires officials to favour the attacker. Almost immediately Andreas Pereira produced another of his precise corners, which Tm Ream’s left boot planted in the net after Ederson had parried a shot from Bobby DeCordova-Reid.
Controversy
Just before the interval, City regained the lead from a corner of their own. Bernd Leno would surely have saved Nathan Ake’s header had he not been distracted by Manuel Akanji standing in an offside position. Akanji was so involved in the action that he actually moved his leg to prevent it touching the ball – but VAR completely failed to spotlight this infringement. As Silva justifiably complained: “It is impossible not to disallow that goal…. The moment made a huge impact in the game.”
The Evening Standard dubbed it one of three high-profile VAR errors so far this season and few would disagree.
The second half could be summarised in four words – Haaland scored a hat-trick. Ream could have prevented one goal and Issa Diop should have remembered how easily the City players fall to the turf in the opponents’ penalty area but the heavy defeat was inevitable. A Tuesday to remember (the defeat of Spurs) was followed by a Saturday to forget.
Mohamed Al Fayed
Fulham FC’s announcement of the death of Mohamed Al Fayed was dignified and appropriate, ending: “We owe Mohamed a debt of gratitude for what he did for our club and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sombre time.”
Back in the summer of 1997, I was in the ticket office picking up my new season ticket with no notion that elsewhere on the site preparations were being made for the spectacular arrival of the new owner. Overnight the club’s persona changed from fighting for existence to lording it over most other clubs in the Football League.
Sadly, the new era coincided with tragedy for the Al Fayeds. There have been few moments more moving in the club’s long story than the torrent of sympathetic applause greeting Mohamed’s appearance on the pitch at the first home match following the death of his son, Dodi.
In happier times, his pre-match stroll became a regular feature, accompanied by his humongous bodyguards and once by the diminutive Michael Jackson.
He promised the top tier of football in five seasons and with regular changes of manager achieved it in four. No wonder the fans sang his name – and still do today.
Despite his eccentricities, his only real misstep at Fulham was to underestimate people’s attachment to the Cottage.
No doubt it made economic sense to sell the site for luxury housing and to arrange ground sharing with another West London club but some of us saw it as a betrayal, and it caused a schism amongst the supporters. For various reasons Al Fayed dropped the idea, leaving it for the new owners to modernise the ground with taste and sensitivity.
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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