Fulham fans came away from the Cottage last Saturday proud that their team had largely contained one of the League's top clubs but only too aware that the game could have ended in a draw or even a home win.
For once statistics do tell the whole story. Arsenal had ten corners, their favourite source of goals. Fulham though largely on the defensive had several opportunities but did not register a single shot on target.
Sky viewers were presented with tactical contest rather than a full-blooded derby and none the worse for that. Anthony Taylor and his colleagues acted with quiet efficiency and no yellow cards were needed. Fulham welcomed the return of Raoul Jimenez after injury but Sasa Lukic remained unavailable.
Ryan Sessegnon raised spectators'hopes with an early foray but he spent most of the game keeping Bukayo Saka under control. Viktor Gyokeres twice challenged the Whites' defence without success, Jorge Cuenca and Timothy Castagne holding firm.
Joshua King fed Harry Wilson then Jimenez managed to create a chance for Tom Cairney, which was blocked. It seemed that Arsenal had taken the lead with a beautiful drive by Riccardo Calafiori, but the striker at once realised that he had edged offside.
The attacks continued with Eberechi Eze and Saka at one end, Wilson and King at the other. Fulham made more attempts on goal in the first 26 minutes than West Ham, the Gunners' previous opponents had managed in a whole match.
Josh King's teaser may have been counted as off target but David Raye didn't think it was and flipped it over the bar. The young Fulham star's first goal must surely come soon. Bernd Leno made a double save from Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard.
It was a busy first half for Fulham's coaching staff with Tom Cairney, Josh King, Joachim Andersen and Harry Wilson all needing treatment. Joachim withdrew in the 43rd minute to be replaced by Issa Diop. Arsenal finished the half strongly and might have scored from a breakaway but for the intervention of Raoul Jimenez.
The second half showed no let-up. After Castagne denied Saka, Harry Wilson came close on two occasions. Gyokeres wanted a penalty for a tackle by Cuenca though the defender had clearly played the ball.
The Gunners scored anyway from the resultant corner. Gabriel backheaded the ball to Trossard, who kneed it in. It should not have been so easy.
Things seemed to be falling apart. Cairney's injury forced him to give way to Kevin and almost immediately the substitute conceded a penalty for a vital challenge on Saka. After a lengthy study of the monitor Mr Taylor realised that Kevin had played the ball before the man.
For once VAR had come to our rescue. It also helped to clear Calvin Bassey of handball in the closing minutes. Bernd Leno performed an even better double save as Fulham fought till the end but remained vulnerable.
Yes the fans can feel proud but the players should ask themselves why a simple goal was conceded from a corner and the Spurs keeper had only one real save to make.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
