Two costly defeats prompted Scott Parker to reorganise his team for the West Ham visit.
Pairing Harrison Reed with Mario Lemina in midfield, he lined up Bobby DeCordova-Reid, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ademola Lookman to support Ivan Cavaleiro. The omission of Frank Anguissa was the only real surprise.
This rearranged team faithfully carried out Parker's strategy of possession and kept the Hammers in check – but showed no improvement in the important matter of scoring goals. A tame header by Cavaleiro was as close as they got.
Second half
The second period looked more promising. Joachim Andersen found DeCordova-Reid on the edge of the area, but his hasty shot went astray. Loftus-Cheek wasted a similar chance moments later. After another miss by Cavaleiro Parker sent on Aleksandar Mitrovic and the new striker Josh Maja but they could not break the deadlock either.
These teams have met many times over the years – Pathe News gives a flavour of the Homeric FA Cup ties of February 1958 – and occasionally the contests have become overheated. On Saturday, the fouls were mostly niggling 'professional' ones like Andersen's shirt-tug in the closing moments. Referee Mike Dean awarded a free kick and as the players jostled for position around Fulham's penalty area Mitrovic fell to the ground clutching his face.
TV replays showed that in a minor wrestling bout Tomas Soucek's elbow had come into contact with the Serb's forehead. When the Fulham man realised that VAR was pondering a red card, he urged Dean to be lenient.
One can only assume that Mitrovic originally wanted to gain a free kick and disrupt West Ham's late onslaught. The referee spent ages reviewing the incident before drawing the red card from his pocket and banishing an incredulous Soucek. Mitrovic's change of heart did not impress David Moyes, the West Ham manager.
The game, which had become almost incidental, ended goalless. At least the Soucek incident gave reporters something to write about, and the red card was swiftly rescinded. Scott Parker's problems remained unsolved. Fulham had made 20 efforts on goal, only two of them on target, so the search for a matchwinner was no nearer a conclusion.
Goodbye to Tosh
When Fulham eventually vanquished West Ham in February 1958 the winning goal was scored by Johnny Haynes from a Tosh Chamberlain pass.
On Thursday (11 February), we were given the privilege of attending virtually the funeral of Trevor 'Tosh' Chamberlain. The chapel service began and concluded with the voice of Nat 'King' Cole – 'Smile' and 'Unforgettable', both so appropriate to the man.
The family reminisced about a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, though of course as his son reminded us that Tosh was 'everyone's mate'.
To the Rev'd Gary Piper, who conducted the service, Tosh and his wife Margaret were not just lifelong friends but angels, comforting him at a difficult time in his life.
It was a fine send-off for a man who, as Gary put it, was legendary for 'his zest his enthusiasm for life and for the fun that he gave out and induced from everyone'.
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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