Fulham boss Chris Coleman has admitted to being disappointed at succumbing late on to Liverpool, but had no complaints with either the penalty award or the dismissal of Luis Boa Morte.
Fulham appeared to be on the brink of taking a point, which Coleman felt would have been deserved, only for Zat Knight to upend Florent Sinama-Pongolle and present Danny Murphy with a penalty opportunity he gratefully accepted.
Coleman feels towering young defender Knight will learn from the experience, but admitted to a tinge of disappointment at the result.
“I am disappointed, you never like to lose and in the second half we played well,” said Coleman. “It looked like we were going to get a point.”
Commenting on the penalty award, Coleman had no complaints.
He said: “The penalty was stone cold. Zaty is a young boy who is learning quickly. He is going to be a top player but just lacked a bit of experience.”
Coleman, though, was less inclined to defend Boa Morte following his dismissal for a crude challenge on Sinama-Pongolle.
“It was a horrendous challenge and I defend my players any time, but there is no defence for that,” he said. “It is just lucky their lad got up and was okay.
“That is Boa you know, he is a smashing lad and great to work with, but sometimes he gets frustrated. We will have a chat and will get it sorted.”
The result brought Fulham back down to earth following their momentous win at Manchester United last week, but Coleman feels the players will pick themselves up and show the right response against Charlton.
“We won last week, got Liverpool this week, a good team, and 1-1 would have been a good result.
“It is a hard division and every game is hard. We have got Charlton next week and have got to pick ourselves up, but I am sure we will do that.”
Louis Saha is sure to command a few headlines following his goal, as he appeared to hand a message of thanks to former Fulham boss Jean Tigana on his t-shirt.
Coleman, though, was unconcerned by the incident.
“You would have to ask Louis about that, but there is no problem with that,” said Coleman. “He probably has a lot to thank Jean for as he brought him to the club.”
