Leicester 0-1 Fulham
Fulham began the new year seventh in the Premier League. They were promptly dislodged when Brentford subdued Liverpool but regained their place with a 1-0 win at Leicester.
That was the team's third consecutive victory in 11 days, an outstanding achievement by the players and by the management team. Or as Charlotte Duncker put it in The Times: "They have the quality to compete in the Premier League rather than just fight to stay up."
Leicester provided the stiffest opposition of the three opponents. After Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Fulham ahead in the 17th minute (another brilliant pass from Willian) the visitors' defence had to withstand the might of Harvey Barnes, Jamie Vardy, Ayoze Perez and Youri Tielemans. It is no surprise that supporters named goalkeeper Bernd Leno as Man of the Match.
Leno also received a yellow card for time-wasting (something of a tradition for Fulham keepers). Five other Fulham players were cautioned by referee Darren Bond, rather a drastic tally for 11 recorded fouls. Mitro's indiscretion will cause him to miss the Chelsea match.
Goodbye George
The two final matches of 2022 had moments to remember. Before the New Year's Eve game Craven Cottage gave a dignified and warm-hearted send-off to the late George Cohen.
Marco Silva, Roy Hodgson and Anthony Cohen, George's son, flanked by other familiar faces, laid wreaths on the turf while the Fulham players all sported the full back number 2 on their tracksuits. This ceremony complemented the club's deeply felt tributes to the legendary Pele.
On a wild and soaking afternoon neither the Whites nor Southampton reached their best form, yet there was excitement early on when Willian's snap half volley hit the side-netting and Bernd Leno emerged victorious from a one on one with Che Adams. Each manager will have winced at his team's defensive frailties.
Fulham took the lead in a somewhat fortunate fashion. Andreas Pereira latched onto Willian's corner though his effort would have gone wide but for a deflection off the visitors' captain James Ward-Prowse.
Southampton, desperate to move away from the bottom, equalised after the interval. Bobby DeCordova-Reid needlessly pushed Adams in the back, giving Ward-Prowse an excellent opportunity to display his mastery of free kicks. Although the Fulham wall looked solid enough the ball still dipped beyond Leno's reach.
Armel Bella-Kotchap's nudge on Tom Cairney might also have earned a penalty, but the incident led to a corner from which Fulham regained the lead in the 88th minute. Pereira took the kick, Kenny Tete headed on and it was Joao Palhinha that sent the ball past the keeper Gavin Bazunu.
In added time Dan James chasing a loose ball was brought down by Bazunu. As VAR dithered, Mitrovic walked back and forth looking far from relaxed. His penalty kick was accurate but lacked the usual bite, allowing the keeper an athletic save. Though Mitro was clearly below par, he was ending the year having scored 31 League goals in 2022 – more than any other Premier/EFL player.
Boxing Day
On Boxing Day, the Serb had made hay with the Crystal Palace defence, especially the luckless James Tompkins. Referee Andy Madley gave Tompkins a yellow card as early as the 20th minute, leaving him vulnerable to the cunning Mitrovic.
Fulham impressed from the start of that match (the commentators used the word 'flair' more than once) and Palhinha drew a fine save from Vicente Guaita.
At the other end, Jordan Ayew almost embarrassed a hesitant Fulham defence with a shot that hit the bar. The visitors took the lead on the half-hour when Joachim Anderson lost possession, allowing Mitrovic to supply a perfect cross for the unmarked Bobby DeCordova-Reid to nod home.
Almost immediately, Tyrick Mitchell increased Palace's difficulties with a reckless lunge at Kenny Tete. As Mr Madley reached for a red card it was surprising that VAR queried his verdict of excessive force – and fortunate that Tete escaped serious injury.
Palace did not give up. Tim Ream was as majestic as ever in defence but the opposition squandered the chance of an equaliser just before the interval. Marco Silva doubtlessly reminded his players that the match was not yet won – indeed Palace stayed in contention until the 57th minute when Tomkins naively jerked his elbow towards Mitro's face.
A further yellow was inevitable and Palace were now two players short.
More debatable was Fulham's second goal. The Serb accidentally headed Andreas Pereira's corner onto his own arm and Tim Ream thumped home the loose ball – a long awaited goal for the American. Near the end Mitrovic completed the rout, heading Willian's lob past Guaita.
In the past Fulham, have struggled to beat other London teams in the Premier League. But Marco Silva has bucked that trend with victories over Brentford and Crystal Palace.
Which team from the metropolis do we face next?
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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