They looked back at Craven Cottage today. Fulham´s home for the last hundred years welcomed back the heroes of the past. The Maestro himself, Johnny Haynes, strolled about confidently before kick off, Gordon Davies scored a penalty to roll back the years at half-time and the current crop of Fulham stars applauded their fans in a post-match lap of honour, taking a last look around one of the country´s most historic grounds.
Amongst all the nostalgia and the memories, Jean Tigana´s hundredth game in charge was disappointing insignificant. Fulham, missing the spark and sharpness that was too much for Bolton in midweek, struggled to break down a resolute Leicester defence, determined not to hurt the pride of manager Micky Adams with defeat. Adams, one of the first victims of Mohammed Al Fayed´s headline grabbing arrival, returned for the second time to the ground where he guided the club to promotion from the Third Division on a shoestring budget and bid farewell to the Cottage by making his point.
Leicester were good value for it, too. They showed the sort of stomach for the first that Dave Bassett once demanded and had a purpose about them. Roared on by a suprisingly upbeat travelling support, they dominated the early stages and seemed to enjoy their football. Shaken into action by Barry Hayles´ early turn and shot, they were first to the ball in midfield and looked to Paul Dickov for a finishing touch. Twice the former Arsenal striker went close, first flashing a header across Edwin van der Sar’s goal and then heading straight at the goalkeeper having crept between Andy Melville and Alain Goma.
Jean Tigama screamed for an improvement from the touchline and slowly one came. Surprisingly for a team whose approach play is so good, Fulham looked most dangerous from set plays. Sylvain Legwinski rose highest to meet Rufus Brevett´s free-kick but couldn´t keep his header down and Sean Davis, recently fined for breaking the team´s ban on alcohol, arrived late to head over a Steed Malbranque set-piece. The half-time entertainment provided the only goals of the afternoon, but Fulham picked up from where they finished the first half.
They kept the ball better, but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Benefitting from the introduction of the lively Louis Saha and the creative John Collins, they suddenly found more of a goal threat. Steve Marlet should have beaten Ian Walker with a free header from six yards but headed straight at the former England goalkeeper, while Saha chose to delay and pass from ten yards when he would have rounded Walker with ease a year ago. Steve Finnan´s clever footwork down the right nearly played in Davis but in the end Fulham were left with a point that, coupled with Aston Villa´s success over Southampton, seemingly ends their InterToto Cup chances.
Normally philosophical, an anxious Jean Tigana was unable to hide his frustration. It was a very bad game and I´m disappointed. The players lose confidence when they are near the box and we have to work on improving that. Last year, we scored many goals but this year was a big step and we have many things to work on. We need to play more quickly and get more players scoring.
Mind you, for a team who were relieved to avoid relegation from Division Three under Adams five years ago, a mid-table finish in the Premiership is a fine achievement. If the Whites continue their current rate of progress and return here in two years time, European football could be commonplace. The tears flowed at the end, but Fulham, unlike the Foxes, are heading in the right direction on the field.
FULHAM (4-4-2): van der Sar; Finnan, Brevett, Goma, Melville; Davis (Collins 63), Legwinski, Goldbaek (Saha 63), Malbranque; Hayles, Marlet. Subs (not used): Taylor, Knight, Stolcers.
BOOKED: Legwinski, Goma, Saha, Hayles.
LEICESTER CITY (4-4-2): Walker; Rogers, Sinclair, Elliott, Rowett; Savage, Izzet, Marshall, Davidson (Oakes 20); Dickov (Stevenson 77), Piper. Subs (not used): Royce, Ashton, Williamson.
BOOKED: Rowett, Izzet, Dickov, Savage.
REFEREE: David Pugh (Bebington).
ATTENDANCE: 21,106.
