Paul Peschisolido was the key man as Fulham continued their push for promotion from the Second Division with a 2-1 win over Chesterfield Town at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Fulham’s first million-pound player has already paid back the transfer fee with a glut of goals since moving from West Bromwich Albion last season and scored a stunning equaliser at Liverpool in the League Cup last month. The Canadian international was signed to fire the Cottagers out of the third tier and the signs are that Kevin Keegan’s side could be something of an unstoppable force this season.
Peschisolido was involved in all of the big incidents as his side saw off Chesterfield’s spirited challenge here. He opened the scoring with a brilliant effort from 25 yards out after just sixteen minutes and doubled the home side’s lead nine minutes after half time after Barry Hayles had been hauled down in the box. Fulham’s defence had to stand firm after Jonathan Howard had halved Chesterfield’s deficit with his fifth goal of the season just after the hour but the visitors’ push for a late equaliser ended in acrimony when Paul Holland was sent off for a nasty challenge on Peschisolido in the last minute.
Fulham manager Keegan told the press afterwards: “I honestly believe I’ve got the squad I want now.
“I honestly believe I’ve got the squad I want now.”
Afterwards Kevin Keegan declared: “I honestly believe I’ve got the squad I want now.”
FULHAM (4-3-3): Taylor; Finnan, Brevett, Symons, Coleman; Bracewell (Smith 66), Morgan, Hayward; Hayles (Uhlenbeek 71), Horsfield, Peschisolido. Subs (not used): Beardsley.
BOOKED: Bracewell.
GOALS: Peschisolido (16, pen 54).
CHESTERFIELD TOWN (3-5-2): Mercer; Breckin, Williams, Jules; Curtis, Holland, Perkins (Morris 85), Beaumont (Wilkinson 88), Hewitt; Reeves, Howard. Subs (not used): Lenagh.
BOOKED: Williams.
SENT OFF: Holland.
REFEREE: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
ATTENDANCE: 10,005.
