Bournemouth 1-0 Fulham
Before Monday night's match at Bournemouth the Independent hailed Fulham as 'the epitome of inconsistency'. Yet there has been an odd pattern to their play this season, a brilliant performance followed by a dreary, substandard one.
After the triumph over Liverpool, a team seemingly unbeatable at home, would the same line-up flounder against the Cherries, who had not won a League match on their ground since January?
Talksport trailed their live coverage of the game with a snatch of an earlier commentary: 'Semenya one nil. Antoine Semenya puts Bournemouth ahead.' History has a habit of repeating itself.
With Antonee Robinson moving forward Timothy Castagne misplaced his pass allowing the fleet footed Alex Scott to penetrate the Fulham defence and release Semenya. Evading Joachim Andersen and others, the Brazilian curled a left footed special past Bernd Leno – all this in the first minute of the match.
Fulham did not appear concerned. After all Liverpool had scored first before the trio of away goals overwhelmed them. Still Bournemouth's tactics seemed the more effective in the first half hour as when a slick move ended with Evanilson hitting the crossbar at close range. Gradually the Whites improved.
Timothee Robinson beavered away on the left and Ryan Sessegnon on the right. As Bournemouth dithered Rodrigo Muniz latched onto the ball and moved into a promising position only to miss the target. Then Alex Iwobi created a perfect opportunity for Sessegnon, who unfortunately headed the ball straight at Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Marco Silva felt aggrieved that Marcos Senesi's wild tackle on Andersen had only merited a yellow card. He had a case at very least. With the interval approaching Fulham looked likely to equalise but Bournemouth could also have doubled their lead. Scott was particularly dangerous.
No second half luck
Robinson sustained his energetic runs in the second half and Calvin Bassey again showed his quality in attack and defence but on this occasion the goals would not come. When Silva sent on Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore and Tom Cairney a failure of communication apparently led to the fourth official Tim Robinson showing number 30 (Sessegnon) as one of the players to be withdrawn.
A surprised Ryan made way for Traore but Fulham had apparently intended number 20 (Sasa Lukic), not 30. Michael Oliver the official in charge could not allow Sessegnon back on the field. The game permits so many substitutions that a human error of this sort was bound to occur. It is impossible to know if it affected the final result.
Emile Smith Rowe also entered the contest but the best attempt came from Alex Iwobi, who had been present throughout. He drew a fine save from Kepa. Willian was Silva's final card; the veteran is a welcome presence even though he has yet to increase his goal tally.
The visitors had many efforts on target during the match but significantly the fans elected Bernd Leno as Man of the Match.
Bournemouth's victory allowed them to dislodge Fulham from eighth position in the Premier League. This could matter in the hunt for European football next season though the first nine teams could still qualify.
The Whites now have a reasonable run-in: Southampton, Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester City. Before that they will host Chelsea on Sunday. Could this be the year to achieve the double against our neighbours?
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
