When this season ends, the statisticians will have a field day. One topic that will certainly occupy them is the effect of playing without spectators.
I was chatting the other day with a fellow historian David Pearce, who was among the fortunate 2,000 supporters who watched when Liverpool visited the Cottage. On that occasion, the Whites dominated the Champions and deserved more than a draw, with two important decisions going against the home side.
David's view was that the presence of supporters made a vital difference was confirmed by Scott Parker: "The fans were a driving force that gave us an extra bit against Liverpool."
How Jurgen Klopp would have yearned to have his fans around him for the return fixture. His team had suffered five successive defeats at home, a tally that would have been unthinkable before Covid. As you may recall, Klopp gave scant credit to Fulham for their fine display at the Cottage, so he may have expected an easy match at Anfield.
If so, he will have been dismayed by the first half, in which Fulham once again scorned the Reds and subjected them to constant pressure. The home side seemed to have no answer to Kenny Tete, Josh Maja or Ademola Lookman even though the latter was not at his best. If only those players had not squandered their chances...
Despite being the happier of the two managers, Scott Parker must have feared another goalless draw.
Just before half-time Xherdan Shaqiri fouled Ivan Cavaleiro, whose resultant free kick was cleared only as far as Mohamed Salah just outside the penalty area. The Liverpool striker's fatal hesitation allowed Mario Lemina to swoop on the ball and direct it into the corner of Alisson's net.
Liverpool returned after the interval in a more determined mood, with Neco Williams and Diogo Jota cutting through the Fulham defence. Alphonse Areola's one handed save from Jota's fierce drive was every bit as valuable as Lemina's goal. The same could be said for Joachim Andersen's interception late in the game. The captain had given a faultless display and his passing was inspirational throughout.
Aleksandar Mitrovic made a brief appearance and it would have been the icing on the cake if he could have doubled the lead, but 1-0 was sufficient to provide the second Merseyside victory in four weeks.
Mario Lemina deserved the kudos of a winning goal after his unavoidable 'handball' against Tottenham. The joint decision of the referee and VAR had been correct but unjust and this was underlined by the International FA Board's coincidental decision to change the rules (yet again). From the 1 July, accidental handball leading to a goal opportunity will no longer be penalised.
Newcastle's draw at West Brom meant that Fulham were not quite out of the bottom three – but they were level with Brighton on points.
With 10 games left, it seems likely that Fulham, Brighton and Newcastle will be the teams fighting against relegation. The Sussex club have a match in hand as well as the best goal difference, so Messrs Lookman, Cavaleiro and Maja should study the Liverpool match on video.
Every point and every single goal will matter from now on.
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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