Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
Based on recent results, The Whites were surely due for success on Thursday evening – even if Aleksandar Mitrovic had disqualified himself from participating.
After a shared tribute to the late Chelsea legend Gianluca Vialli the derby clash got down to business (and a pretty rough business, too). The first 20 minutes were scrappy in both senses, with too many fouls and too much play-acting. The crowd soon informed referee David Coote that he was not up to the job, but he did keep the match under control.
Carlos Vinicius had already raised our hopes with a shot on the turn that flew just wide. In the 23rd minute he pounced on an error by Trevor Chalabah to feed Bobby DeCordova-Reid, whose shot hit the bar with Kepa wrongfooted. Almost immediately the artful Willian cut in and scored with the help of a Chalabah deflection. The former Blue looked absurdly embarrassed, but he had risen even higher in our esteem.
Chelsea's response was muted. Their fans must have groaned at hearing the Guantamera variations 'There's only one team in Fulham' and (inevitably) 'You're getting sacked in the morning'. The Whites reached the interval with their lead intact and scarcely in danger.
Graham Potter was far from ready to concede. His halftime talk seemed to fire up the Blues and their raids on Fulham's right brought a swift dividend. Mason Mount's free kick gave Koulibaly a clear opening and though Bernd Leno smothered the ball, Mr Coote's watch indicated a goal.
The subsequent excitement proved too much for newcomer Joao Felix, whose appalling foul on Kenny Tete earned him a red card. Felix may rise above the jeers of 'What a waste of money' but his debut cost Chelsea dearly. In the 73rd minute Andreas Pereira crowned another classy display by curling the ball over for Vinicius to nod home with an aplomb that Mitro would have been proud of.
Changes
Potter gambled with four simultaneous substitutions. The reorganised team looked far more dangerous with Kai Havertz particularly threatening. But Marco Silva's possession football won the day even if too much of it took place in the home side's half. While Mr Coote's added time seemed to take on World Cup-sized proportions.
This may not have been Fulham's best performance of the recent unbeaten run, but it was certainly the one to relish. Who says we can't beat other London teams? Bring on Arsenal and Spurs. As for Chelsea we really did them this time.
Back in the 1960s I recall a picture of a West Brom fan doffing his cap as he passed the Wolves' ground. The caption read, 'We'll do thee yet!'.
In the intervening decades I have often felt a sympathy with that gentleman when Fuham encounter the Blues (though not to the extent of doffing my cap). We have experienced too many disappointments with only a few highlights like the March 2006 victory when Luis Boa Morte scored the only goal of the match.
FA Cup
Fulham's FA Cup tie at Hull the previous Saturday saw both managers resting some players and promoting others.
Interestingly, Hull are managed by Liam Rosenior the former Fulham full-back who eclipsed Shaun Wright-Phillips in that 2006 derby, whilst Marco Silva was once in charge at the MKM Stadium. The teams that they selected still produced a competitive and entertaining match.
Our reliable alternative keeper Marek Rodak was soon in action diving low to deflect a left-footed drive from Lewie Coyle. At the other end Andreas Pereira drew a fine save from Matt Ingram but squandered a second chance. The visitors went ahead in the 37th minute when Tom Cairney switched the ball to Harry Wilson, who produced one of his special cross-shots. Ingram pushed the ball away but only as far as Layvin Kursawa, who calmly slotted home. The reputedly hot-headed French defender is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and has rarely appeared so far; he will feel much happier for having opened his account.
Fulham showed few signs of increasing the lead (Carlos Vinicius' golden moment was to come five days later) even during the closing stages when Silva sent on Kenny Tete, Antonee Robinson and Joao Palhinha.
For the added time, City threw everything at the Premier side, showing as little respect as Stevenage did to Aston Villa.
Fortunately, it worked to our advantage. With keeper Ingram prowling the visitors' penalty area Tosin's mighty clearance deceived the lone defender and Dan James steered the ball into the empty net. The final score may have been hard on City, but the Whites' satisfactory performance earned them a home tie against Sunderland in the Fourth Round of the Cup.
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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