Snow in London is a rarity. Last Sunday, we were treated to a glorious sunrise followed by a cascade of white flakes.
While other people were enjoying the snow, ground staff had to clear the Craven Cottage pitch for the afternoon's FA Cup fourth round tie with Burnley. Sunday's weather will stay in the memory long after the match is forgotten.
Both managers gave their fringe players the opportunity to show their worth and, at the moment, Aleks Mitrovic has to be included in that category.
After a lethargic start Fulham unexpectedly appeared to have taken the lead through Mitrovic's close range header. Unfortunately, the assistant referee spotted that Abou Kamara had been in an offside position when he supplied the vital pass, and VAR confirmed this.
Burnley, far more cohesive, dominated the first half, and there was scant surprise when Jack Cork's 31st minute cross enabled Jay Rodriguez to head past Marek Rodak. Joe Bryan seemed to be the only real threat to the visitors.
No changes
Parker made no immediate changes, but Fulham looked livelier after the break. Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell deflected a fierce drive from Bryan then saved both of Mitrovic's attempts to follow up. The Whites fell away and the match seemed to de drifting to a 1-0 defeat.
In the 68th minute Parker withdrew Frank Anguissa and Bobby DeCordova-Reid only to see Burnley increase their lead. A miskick by Tim Ream allowed Rodriguez to send Matej Vydra through. Michael Hector barged Vydra and referee Andrew Madley awarded a penalty. It looked harsh but the rules on physical contact in the area are becoming as opaque as those on offside and handball. The incident gave Rodriguez a second goal and ensured Burnley's victory.
Slack defending allowed Kevin Long to make it 3-0, which slightly exaggerated the difference between the two sides. The poor home performance gave no indication of how Fulham can avoid relegation.
Parker was unrepentant: "I had to make changes because of the squad. We've got big games coming up, so I don't regret that. We'll brush this one away and move on."
No laughs at Brighton
While the match was played, the Talking Pictures channel showed the 1940 comedy Laugh It Off featuring Tommy Trinder (the club's chairman in later years).
It was certainly not one of the comedian's best films, but it gave him the line: 'Tempus blooming well fugit'. With half the season played and Fulham still in the relegation zone, time is truly running out.
The midweek visit to Brighton produced an exciting match but no goals and only one point for Fulham. The visitors started brightly with Ola Aina close to scoring from long range, but they soon fell back on defence, presumably hoping for a breakaway goal.
With 12 minutes remaining Parker sent on Bryan and Mitrovic but it was the home side that seemed likelier to grab the winner. Neal Maupay was continually thwarted by Alphonse Areola and when he did have the goal at his mercy he shot wildly.
Mitrovic had one header on target but it lacked any power to beat the keeper Robert Sanchez. In the dying moments Fulham almost snatched victory when Ruben Loftus-Cheek's fierce drive was blocked on the line by Brighton defender Lewis Dunk.
Areola rightly was elected the Man of the Match, but Fulham's survival in the top tier depends on finding a reliable goal scorer.
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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