FA Cup: Sunderland 2-3 Fulham
Premier League: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
Fulham supporters are trying to contain their excitement. After all, the last three League matches yielded just one point but that was gained last Saturday at Stamford Bridge, a further example of the team's progress under Marco Silva.
It was followed by victory at Sunderland on Wednesday evening, which took the team into the fifth round of the FA Cup after so many disappointments in that competition.
View from the stands
Silva, who had to watch the Sunderland tie from the stands (a consequence of four yellow cards), chose a similar line-up to the one that had drawn 1-1 at the Cottage with Tom Cairney as captain and Marek Rodak in goal. Shane Duffy, who only recently seemed on the point of leaving the squad, was given his chance in place of Tim Ream.
The match could not have started better for the visitors. In the eighth minute an error by Patrick Roberts and a deft pass by Carlos Vinicius allowed Harry Wilson to prod the ball past an unwary Anthony Patterson.
This goal was followed by concerted Fulham attacks though a Sunderland breakaway resulted in a penalty appeal, fortunately rejected. In his eagerness to redeem himself Roberts was again at fault but this time Harry's effort lacked conviction.
The mistakes continued and Tom Cairney atoned for one lapse by giving Wilson yet another chance of scoring but this time Patterson was equal to the challenge. Fulham ended the first half in control and Duffy could feel satisfied with his display in defence. He had certainly robbed Amad Diallo of an equaliser after clever play from Roberts.
As in the match at the Cottage the second half provided the greater thrills.
The persistent Patrick Roberts nearly scored with a shot deflected by Duffy until Rodak made an impressive one-handed save.
Luis Boa Morte, ably deputising for Silva, sent on Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andreas Pereira, to devastating effect. Around the hour Mitro artfully saved the ball from going out of play and gave Pereira the easiest of goals. The result looked certain but Sunderland fought back.
Ajibola Alese's pass created a 77th minute goal for Jack Clarke, raising the possibility of extra time. Layvin Kurzawa with Duffy's assistance dampened Sunderland's hopes despite Jewison Bennette's classy last-minute effort. We may well see Sunderland in the Premier next season. Meanwhile Fulham must overcome Leeds to reach the last eight of the FA Cup.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the Fulham club was fighting for its life, a procession of managers with minimal resources tried to put together a winning team. I remember one manager listening sadly to supporters' demands for new players. He replied that he had not received a single offer for any of his existing squad so new signings were impossible.
Point at the Bridge
Those days are gone and Fulham's starting line-up at Stamford Bridge last Friday had a nine-figure price tag, similar to what Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez. Despite the expensive talent on show the match featured no goals and very few attempts on target.
Fulham's defenders, notably Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson, showed little fear of the home team while our midfielders were at their best. Joao Palhinha underlined his reputation for inspired tackling when he ambushed an opponent and passed to Andreas Pereira, whose fierce shot brought a diving save from Kepa.
In response Kai Havertz mishit what appeared to be a good chance but TV replays showed that he had been thrown by Tim Ream's deflection of Enzo Fernandez's centre. In a rare blunder Fulham's offside trap allowed Havertz another free sight of goal. His lob evaded Bernd Leno only to hit the woodwork.
Though not at his best Aleksandar Mitrovic constantly harried the Blues and in the second half tried an impudent effort from the half-way line which almost swept Kepa back over his line. As Chelsea became more threatening Fernandez shot wide and Conor Gallagher came close. David Fofana did catch Leno out of position but Tim Ream came up with a prodigious goal-line clearance.
Fulham's best chance of a late winner was a free kick just outside the area. As Pereira's free kick ricocheted around a packed penalty area Palhinha somehow managed a shot but sent it wide.
Kenny Tete was deservedly named Sky's Man of the Match, not least for his courageous header that denied Noni Madueke. (He also helped spoil the evening for Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mukyk.) Fulham supporters concurred, awarding second place to Tim Ream while the BBC's Alan Shearer singled out the midfielders Palhinha and Harrison Reed.
It was a great performance by the whole team, standing proud against their (much) wealthier neighbours.
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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