Fulham's 3-2 victory at Stoke may look unimpressive when compared with the other January results – but it was achieved without Aleksandar Mitrovic and Harry Wilson, the players whose efforts have contributed so many goals this season.
Once again, our defence was hit by an early goal, D'Margio Wright-Phillips flicking Josh Tyson's centre past Marek Rodak. D' Margio, just arrived from Manchester City, had barely finished his celebrations when Rodrigo Muniz levelled the scores. The young striker met Harrison Reed's pass and turning away from Phil Jagielka thumped the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.
The remainder of the first half did not live up to its thrilling start though visiting fans had no complaints when a mis-hit shot from Fabio Carvalho put Fulham ahead in the 38th minute. It was the opportunism of Fabio and Bobby DeCordova-Reid that had created the goal.
The visitors' lively forwards maintained their pressure after the interval but, just before the hour mark City equalised through another recent arrival Lewis Baker, who struck from long range. While a draw might well have been a fair result, Muniz had other ideas. From Tom Cairney's corner he outjumped goalkeeper Jack Banham and headed the ball against the bar. The rebound provided a simple goal for DeCordova-Reid.
Fulham still have one more January fixture, but they have triumphantly completed five games in fifteen days comprising an FA Cup victory and four consecutive League wins. The club has regained its place at the top of the Championship and the goal difference must look daunting to future opponents.
'Perfectly ridiculous'
I wrote recently about the well-meaning but ill-fated London Professional Football Fund that over a century ago committed the metropolitan teams to an extra match each season.
My fellow historian David Pearce has sent me two lovely, relevant extracts from the Cottagers Journal (the official programme of the day). The first is dated 27 November 1909.
At the time there were only three London clubs in the top tier – Arsenal, Spurs and I forget the third:
"There has been much vague talk as to why the London Charity Competition match between Fulham and Chelsea has not yet been arranged. Fulham of course has been ready to carry out the arrangements made and approved by the Competition Authority. So much is certain. The idle rumour that Chelsea would only play against a First Division Club may be promptly dismissed as perfectly ridiculous for there are only three such clubs in London and every season at least one must stand out.
"Moreover, they are all hanging on to the First Division by their teeth, and all are badly in need of assistance. I sympathise with Chelsea for it has already been beaten by a neighbouring Southern League team and naturally enough is not anxious just now to get another trouncing from another near neighbour...
"The justifiable delay has passed and the august directors may perhaps make up their hearts (and minds) promptly. Besides there are others who would be honoured and pleased to meet Fulham, especially for charitable purposes."
Spurs had only just reached the top tier, at the expense of Manchester City, Fulham's opponents on that November Saturday. It is fun to look back at the 1908-9 season: Newcastle were League Champions, Everton second, while Manchester City and Leicester were both relegated. It seems that this particular West London derby never got played. The 'august directors' got their way.
David Pearce's second discovery comes from the Fulham v Blackpool programme (11 October 1913) referring to a match played on Monday 3 October at QPR's Park Royal ground:
'Perhaps our chaps did not give one of their best displays but in this connection, it should be remembered that they had not had time to shake off the tiring effects of the hard game at Stockport and the long and wearisome journey from that town. Young Tim Coleman got both our goals, but Fred Mavin found it difficult to forgive himself missing a penalty...'
Poor Fred, the Panenka is so much harder than it looks and his error may have been the reason for the match going into extra time (and finishing in near darkness).
Anyway, Fulham won 2-1 and the players received what the programme calls pretty medals, some of which have survived to this day.
Incidentally, the Whites had beaten Stockport 3-1 in the League but it is not surprising that County offered stiff opposition. Just seven months before they had lost 7-0 at the Cottage with Tim Coleman and Bert Pearce scoring hat-tricks. There is a challenge for Messrs Carvalho and Muniz.
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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