Marco Silva bemoaned Fulham’s failure to hold onto the lead given to them by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s double as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace in their final home game of the season this afternoon.
The Whites came from behind to lead 2-1 after Mitrovic, making his first home appearance in two and a half months, rattled in a first half penalty and then powered home a header from Willian’s free-kick. But sloppy defending gifted Joel Ward an equaliser that allowed the Eagles to leave with a point and Silva was less than impressed with his side surrendering a winning position.
The Fulham head coach told the BBC after the final whistle:
“It was a disappointing result of course. The way we started the game on the front foot clear and commanding the game and took the game for our side – first 20 minutes we did it really well. Of course we didn’t create many chances during that period but we did it well and when we pushed them back they were well organised.
I think we command really well the game. Of course at this level when we concede a goal like we did first goal after a corner for us is a bit disappointing, frustration for us because at this level you can’t cannot concede that.”
Silva also saluted the returning Mitrovic’s character and criticised the eight-game suspension his talismanic striker received for his confrontation with Chris Kavanagh at Old Trafford.
“It was an incident that he learned from. The moment I said that he is going to come again stronger and I’m sure about it. I have to repeat again that it was completely exaggerated the eight games he got if you comepare with the others things that happened this season.”
Once again our defence cost us the 3 points we have to bring in some good defenders this summer it has been our weak point for sometime now, we don’t need anymore wingers possibly another backup striker and another right back and centre back.
Diop and Toshin cannot play together. One or the other. Robinson great going forward but is prone to mistakes defensively. Every time a cross came in we looked in trouble today. Cairney had another good match, Mitro is irreplaceable and please Willian sign a new contract. I would have liked to have seen Solomon given more time. I am unsure of his situation for next season. Unfortumeatly because of our defensive frailties i felt is was two points lost today
Palace are a well organised side and could easily have been pulled off a win.
I think a draw was a fair result,but the game did show where we need to strengthen for next season.
I am sure Marco knows that more than I do.
The comments about needing to strengthen up our defence are totally correct. But am I alone in thinking that these late substitutions are fatally spoiling our rhythm. Immediately Tom Cairney was taken off our ‘hold’ on the midfield was lost and then again we let in a late goal. It almost feels like heresy to criticise our lord and master, but us fans love a little moan.
Taking Tom Cairney off was the turning point as after thar happened we could not string two passes together, totally losing control of the midfield. Also must agree playing both Diop and Tosin just does not work. Despite some defensive faults Robinsons pace is crucial. How many times have we conceded late goals this season,which otherwise has been fabulous and beyond my wildest dreams
,