Tom Cairney declared that Fulham were ready to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the SW6 derby after the Whites saw off a spirited Bristol City side in the League Cup at Craven Cottage last night.
The Fulham captain started his first game of the season against the Championship outfit, who were always up against having conceded two goals in the first 21 minutes. The unfortunate George Tanner turned Adama Traore’s cross into his own net five minutes in and Raul Jimenez cracked in a fine finish from Harrison Reed’s conrer.
Cairney told FFCTV after the whistle:
“First of all, I think it it was good to get my first night in my legs and some of the other players’ legs, because we’re going to need that going forward. Also, a clean sheet at home was nice as well and, as you say, we’re in the next round. From 65-70 minutes, there were a few tired legs. We managed the game well, with the experience we had on the pitch, seeing the game out – but we could have scored a few more goals.”
The Scottish international was delighted to be paired with Harrison Reed in the Fulham engine room – reprising a classic midfield partnership from a few years ago.
“It’s nice playing with Reedy – we play together a lot in training, to be fair … I think we understand each other’s games. I thoroughly enjoyed it, to be honest. It was an enjoyable night.”
Cairney insisted Fulham are ready to face Enzo Maresca’s side, but knows that the Whites will have to be at their very best to repeat Boxing Day’s heroics.
“So, it’s only 48 hours away now. It’s a quick turnaround. It will be, like, just rest the legs, recover, and we’re playing a top, top team on Saturday. We’re in good form ourselves, still unbeaten, but – make no mistake – we’ve got to go there and do a job. So, it’s going to be difficult but we’re ready.
I think on the whole [we’re happy with the start to the season]. At Brighton, you’d be happy with a draw and then Manchester United, you could argue that we could have nicked it. A few bad decisions, maybe, from the officials, and I thought we were the stronger team in the second half, but we could be four points. But [after] your first two games playing Brighton and Manchester United, two points: you can’t be too disappointed.”
