Marco Silva insisted he didn’t care about milestones in the run up to his 150th fixture in charge of Fulham – but he couldn’t have envisaged that his side would self destruct in such style after red hot Raul Jimenez had opened the scoring against highly flying Aston Villa this afternoon. The Mexican measured a magnificent finish past Emi Martinez after latching onto a long ball from Bernd Leno within five minutes, but that was good as it got for the home side.
Their lead last four minutes as Morgan Rogers’ speculative shot deflected in off Calvin Bassey. Andreas Pereira’s pathetically poor penalty sucked the life out of a purposeful Fulham performance and Ollie Watkins headed the visitors in front from a corner on the hour. Silva seethed at Joachim Andersen’s red card for felling Watkins but the self-inflicted collapse was complete when Issa Diop’s first touch turned Lucas Digne’s cross into his own net.
Silva compared Andersen’s dismissal for denial of a goalscoring opportunity to the non-award of a penalty when Adama Traore was sent tumbling by West Ham’s Max Kilman last month. “We are all confused. We don’t understand. That afternoon it was not a foul. All the explanation that came to us was it was a soft touch, not enough for him to go down. It was even softer today. I would like to see consistency.”
The Fulham boss would have been alarmed to see his side fall far below the standards he has set since first setting foot in SW6 three years ago. It all looked so promising when Jimenez, fresh from inspiring Mexico’s first win over the USA in seven matches in midweek, majestically controlled Leno’s long punt, jinked away from Pau Torres and fired a low finish in off the far post. But the decision to field Emile Smith Rowe, Pereira and Sander Berge in midfield in the absence of the injured Sasa Lukic backfired badly. Villa gained impetus after scoring from their opening attack, with Rogers finding room in front of the back four to shoot – although the deflection off Bassey was a huge slice of luck. They were fortune to not be behind again almost immediately as Jimenez headed a corner inches wide.
More fortune followed after referee Darren England reversed his decision to refuse a penalty after Matty Cash had handled Jimenez’s header. The former Wolves forward got himself into hot water by pulling rank on Pereira to slot home the winning penalty at Nottingham Forest in September. Silva promised it wouldn’t happen again. Jimenez, with 36 successful spot-kicks from 38 attempts, stood back and Pereira’s penalty lacked power and direction, resembling a pass back that the malevolent Martinez easily held.
Rogers somehow sidefooted wide of an open goal after Watkins had cut the ball back from the byline and, after a brief foray from Fulham at the start of the second half, it was Villa who assumed control of the contest. Leno was at full stretch to prevent an Andersen own goal before he smothered Jacob Ramsay’s drive, but the German goalkeeper was helpless when Watkins wriggled away from Smith Rowe to head home Youri Tielemans’ flag-kick.
Andersen’s dismissal made Fulham’s task much harder and the comedic way Diop immediately extended Villa’s lead probably belongs on the Paramount channel. The home side kept committing men forward with Jimenez admirably committed until the last, but there was no route back in the contest for the Whites even after substitute Jaden Philogene-Bidance was shown a second yellow card after crudely cutting down the bright Reiss Nelson.
An awesome Aston Villa side didn’t any assistance in winning their first four away league matches for the first time since 2006 and completing their best start to a Premier League campaign in 26 years – but Fulham were just far too accommodating.
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Andersen, Bassey; Berge (Wilson 80), Pereira (Diop 68); Traore (Nelson 68), Iwobi, Smith Rowe (Cairney); Jimenez. Subs (not used): Benda, Sessegnon, King, Reed.
BOOKED: Bassey, Smith Rowe, Diop.
SENT OFF: Andersen (64).
GOAL: Jimenez (5).
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Digne, Torres, Carlos; Onana (Barkley 75), Tielemans; Bailey (Philogene-Bidance 61), Ramsey (Buendia 83), Rogers (McGinn 83); Watkins (Duran 75). Subs (not used):
BOOKED: Bailey, Rogers, Digne.
SENT OFF: Philogene-Bidance (90+3).
GOALS: Rogers (9), Watkins (59), Diop (o.g. 69).
REFEREE: Darren England.
ATTENDANCE: 26,743.
Just let the Mexican continue to take the penalties as he did with the Serbian. Be consistent silva.
Why do we keep preserving with Pereira even ignoring his poor penalty today his free kicks and corners have been abysmal all season. We missed Lukic I am not impressed with Berge, When moving Iwobi to mid field he looked the part. Jimenez was terrific today. I would like to see Nelson given more time
Richard I could have written this myself exactly my sentiments. I have been keen supporter of Marco since his arrival , and this has only grown with time. BUT I cannot see why he keeps fielding Pereira. He is lightweight, contributes so little, pathetic abysmal at corners free kicks and now the ultimate debacle of single handedly costing us the game this afternoon. He is not premiership quality and should be sold as soon as possible.
Rant over!
Totally I think that’s an understatement Marco it was a dire perforformance too many players had there head up their backsides, was Smith Rowe on the pitch Iwobi headless chicken,Adama to predicable and worst of all was Perreira how is this man wearing a Fulham shirt I am still fuming about his penalty other than kick off the second half he did absolutely sweet Fxxx All
Jimenez is on form striker then he should take it but Perreira is a Sulky Baby if he don’t take the penalties and that’s Marcos fault as well as corners and free kicks that we never score from how much longer have we got to suffer this man lots of fans near me were disgusted by his total performance,if we do this against Brentford god help us totally inept Today all round Total marks for Perreira 0 out of 10 and he’s lucky to get nought
Sander Berge is a much better player than we have seen to date. I know that’s a fact because I have seen him put in some brilliant performances for poor teams like Sheffield United and Burnley. And he has patiently waited for his big chance, making only part appearances in the main. But, having been given a clear run at making the position his own with the Lukic injury, he failed to impress against Villa. But I am not giving up on him -just yet.
Smith Rowe has shown glimpses of quality to date. But glimpses just don’t cut it when a club has spent a fortune on you. We keep hearing how happy he is, how glad he is that he made the move etc but we need to see him grab games by the scruff of the neck and turn that happiness into something concrete on the pitch. But, again, I’m not giving up on him -just yet.
But Pereira is another beast altogether. We have had to put up with his gradual deterioration for far too long. In the summer, he was constantly talking about leaving Fulham and I don’t think that any man who changes his hairstyle EVERY frigging week can be quite all there, especially when, in one filmed look at his lifestyle, we saw that he keeps a FULL SIZE video machine in his living room. Space Invaders, anyone?
We would forgive him all that if he scored a goal for the club, like the great one he managed for Brazil in midweek. Hell, forget the spectacular, we’d settle for converting a penalty. Strike that; we’d just like to see ONE corner or free kick actually find a Fulham player. By all accounts, his data shows that he is the SECOND most prolific assist merchant in the Premiership??? When did these assists happen? I must have been sleeping.
The guy is so up his own arse, and getting back into the Brazilian squad hasn’t helped. But neither has Marco Silva’s persistent refusal to acknowledge his faults. The guy isn’t even Brazilian. He was born in Belgium and played football for Belgian teams before claiming his father’s nationality.
The Flamengo fans wanted to lynch him after one mistake cost them a cup final. I think Fulham fans know how that feels. The only difference is we never make it to cup finals yet have to suffer this clown on a weekly basis.
There’s only one man responsible -and that’s the manager. He had no hesitation in making a bold decision and starting Smith Rowe on the bench v Man City. Why on earth can he not see that Pereira is an actual liability???
We missed Lukic so much. Berge might come out to be an excellent player for Fulham in the future, but from these first appearances he seems to be too slow and heavy to adapt in our system. Also, one might say that Pereira is the obvious scapegoat, his penalty miss was nothing short of appalling, but let’s give this guy a break. His game wasn’t worse that anyone’s, ESmithRowe didn’t particularly impress, just to mention one and he certainly doesn’t get half the abuse. Let’s be honest, on another day we might have had another result, but as things stand, Villa are a better team.
Not having Lukic made a difference.
Berge is ok but he lacks commitment when tackling.
Just hope Lukic returns soon.
Silva’s persistence with Pereira is indeed mystifying. Pereira’s supporters keep insisting he does things to facilitate the team in ways that go unnoticed! Yeah – too right because they’re made of scotch mist! He’s far too light weight, doesn’t contribute enough goals but does hold the Fulham record of hitting the woodwork!
Charles has it spot on. Time for Marco to light some fires.
No mention of the loud cheer when Pereira was subbed. Still fuming Sunday morning.
We were poor after missing pen. Villa getting to much credit there first goal was lucky. Silva must take a lot of blame, who I’m a big fan of. He’s done Pereira no favours letting him take the pen, put a lot of pressure on him . When we have a great pen taker in Jimenez in great form. Midfield was poor today
Agree with so much of the above. Pereira was just dreadful ( the penalty was on a par with Lookman’s at West Ham!) and it worries me that Silva seems so blind to what all the fans see on a regular basis.
Berge looked lacking in match play; it was interesting though how much more comfortable he looked after Cairney came on even though we were down to 10 men.
ESR looked knackered and just had a bad day I think….as did much of the team.
Who’d have thought we’d all be clamouring for the swift return of Lukic, we might struggle in midfield over the next few games until he’s back.