After another humbling at the hands of Manchester City, it seems perverse for Fulham fans to be pleased with what they witnessed. After all, playing such adventurous football at the Etihad Stadium against England’s most ruthless operators was surely a recipe for disaster. The Slavisa Jokanovic blueprint looks marvellous in the Championship, but toothless in the top flight. That’s what we learnt from the 2018 exhibition, however harshly it came to an end, isn’t it?
Marco Silva isn’t a man who compromises on his principles and this thrilling Fulham side were true to his word. He talked about respecting the FA Cup and there were only three changes to the team that had taken on Blackpool. He promised to take the game to Manchester City and, boy, how Fulham did that. If by the end, the gulf in class was apparent, the visitors more than match their illustrious opponents in a gloriously wild first 45 minutes – and this was far more entertaining than sticking ten men behind the ball and being pulled apart in any case.
Fulham’s first goal at the Etihad for more than a decade was absolutely magnificent. It had its genesis in their commitment to playing out from the back but the three players who make them so dangerous were prominently involved. City had committed numbers forward and Fulham constructed the perfect counter-attack. Sparked by a sumptuous pass out to the right by Aleksandar Mitrovic, an illustration of why the Serb is much more than just a target man, Harry Wilson surged down the right and measured a cross for Fabio Carvalho to stroke the Londoners ahead with ease. Kyle Walker and John Stones looked at each other non-plussed as well they might. Only three Premier League sides have scored at Manchester City, just one has had the temerity to take the lead.
It had to Carvalho, of course. The twinkle-toed teenager was everywhere, trying little tricks, spreading the play with perceptive passes and, most of all, frightening the life out of the best team in England. His move to Liverpool might have fallen through on transfer deadline day, but you would never have known. He belongs on a stage like this and, you suspect, he soon will be. It is worth enjoying his prodigious talent while we can but Carvalho is special. He should have had a second goal, fluffing a simple finish when Neeskens Kebano’s second half thunderbolt had come back off Zack Steffen, but this was a performance that proves he will thrive at this level.
Fulham’s passing was precise and yet purposeful. They played at a pace that visibly unsettled City and Pep Guardiola, who could be seen pointing and cajoling from his technical area. One mesmerising move saw Nathaniel Chalobah, encouraging in a central midfield role before he succumbed to one of the many batterings he took from the City midfield, and Carvalho combine to set up a chance for Mitrovic, who spun and shot wide. Fulham finished the half with 48% possession and another startling statistic showed just how unusual this all us. Only Paris Saint-Germain had bettered the Londoners’ 197 passes in 45 minutes at Etihad all season. Silva’s side, with the emphasis on attack, didn’t look out of company against the Premier League leaders.
Eventually, of course the hosts pulled away. That should be no surprise. Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven cost £470m. What will infuriate Silva was that the goals Fulham conceded were so preventable. The ball rattled around their penalty area before Ilkay Gundogan forced home an equaliser only a minute and a half after Carvalho had stunned the home fans into silence: any chance of success, however implausible, surely relied on the Whites holding onto their advantage for a little longer. The second came courtesy of shambolic defending at a set play, where Fulham have been strong this season. John Stones found it far too easy to force home Kevin de Bruyne’s corner at the near post.
The second half was always going to be more challenging and, if we are honest, it was a relief that Fulham only conceded two more. Joe Bryan’s attempt to stop Jack Grealish slalom run was ill-advised, even if the England international made the most of minimal contact and Riyad Mahrez, who had thumped home the penalty, had another four minutes later laid on a plate for him by de Bruyne after a shocking pass from Harrison Reed. Going toe-to-toe with Manchester City is a dangerous business, but there was enough about this enterprising Fulham display to encourage.
Two tasks are now paramount. Silva’s side have to take that sense of adventure back to their promotion push – starting with the visit of Millwall on Tuesday. Nothing is won yet and the Championship is no respecter of reputations. Fulham most learn from City’s ruthlessness and keep their foot on the accelerator. The Portuguese head coach will have an idea of what he wants to build a team for the top flight. He doesn’t seem to be for turning – so he’ll need to be given what he requires come the summer. Playing with such advanced full backs and a penchant for passing definitely invites danger, but it definitely won’t be dull.
That’s a generous assessment of a patchy Fulham performance. As inventive as we are going forward without strength in defence and defensive midfield our next stay in the PL is unlikely to be any longer than the previous two. Slava had the attack. SP had the defence right. But Marco needs both working as one unit and at present we could be heading for Slava2
I don’t know, Tony, I think we posed the best team in England real problems in the final third – which has to be a positive. There was little between the two sides in the first half and we could easily have scored another one.
There’s no doubt that we will need significant strengthening in the summer to be competitive in the top flight, which is what Dan mentions explicitly in his article. Defensive acquisitions are a must, but we look much more threatening going forward – which does bode well.
I think Silva has more experience in the Premier League that either Slavisa or Scott so will be very aware of what’s needed to survive.
I just hope we are already looking out for defenders to bring in early in the summer, and we need to get them playing pre season so they can settle in and get to know our style of play before the new season starts. So I hope Tony Khan doesn’t leave it until the last minute he should be looking for new additions now.
Really enjoyed watching first half . Fulham were impressive . I was watching on French pay TV . The commentators praised our attack non stop .
But Two lessons learnt if we get to the Premiership
1. As mentioned we need to improve defense . Failed to do this twice before and got relegated on each occasion . I remember when we were proud of the defensive fortress during Roy’s time. Hope Silva scouting now .
2. Carvalho’s loss is going to be tough – he really has linked up with Mitro
No one said anything but Gazzaniga looked very weak . Could Rodak have done better ?
Seriously? Sugar coating from everybody-including the City manager-on our performance.
The truth is that, apart from Carvalho, NONE of our players performed at a level to give us confidence for a return to the top flight.
Our defence looked terrified every time that City ran at us; seemed confused at the inter passing and balls over the top that is the way Man City play-almost as if we had not properly prepared for this game.
Our midfield was non-existent with Chalobah a total passenger. In one 30 second period in the second half, he managed to give the ball away THREE times.
Mitro was starved of service due to Wilson and Kebano being mainly anonymous.
Let’s be honest and not try to seek imaginary positives because this game only highlighted the deficiencies in our squad for when we transition to the top flight.
We will need to strengthen and it is ironic to think that our best player will be leaving.
At last someone’s told it as it was I was at the game as the previous person said Carvalho was the only player trying or playing or doing both we know how good we are now the gulf between top of the Premiership was there for all to see, what I could not believe was the mis passing not only by Chalobah but by others if you make mistakes against a top team they are going to hurt you, when we scored our heads are all over the place. Someone needed to grab hold and say come on calm down but City being City new this and I was not surprised when they scored minutes later we must 100 percent get harden and proven Centrebacks as a big Priority if we are to progress hopefully in the Premiership next season and a proven Holding Centre Midfield player there were Fulham players who were just not in the game we are at this moment to good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premiership come on Tony Khan start doing it now or it will be the same old story that we have had both times we have got promoted and don’t wait until August let’s hope it’s back to winning ways on Tuesday night against Millwall COYW
We need a box to box midfielder who scores. The defence is shaky at times and lacks pace. The Borehamwood keeper yesterday was good and on loan from FFC. Could make the first team Ashly’ Hammond. Brother also FFC England keeper. George Wickens another at Wealdstione. There are a couple good in championship in midfield and defence who lack PREM pace as we saw. The TalkSport chatterboxes have sold most of FFC. The new stand when it opens will mean the label stickers will need a new one for FFC.
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Still the dark clouds gather from our far too big band of pessimists ( unfortunately it’s always been that way at the Cottage) but it’s absolutely no shame to lose to the best team in the country. Compare our team to the majority of the Premier League not the elite, It’s much nicer being a Fulham fan than say Leicester today. This season is good and the best is yet to come. Champions elect and a repeat of Tigana’s side on the cards. The following years weren’t too bad were they?
We are great going forward but our defence continues to be woeful. Once again Gazzaniga looks very weak. Chalaboah was just awful and Bryan looked dodgy although this could have been due to lack,of game time. The match really showed the vast kasam between the Premiership and Championship
It doesn’t matter which way you see Saturday. We all know the players that get you out of the championship,are not the players that keep you in the premiership.
We’re not ready for the top table. Let’s deal with the bread and butter before we try the cake.