Scott Parker was pleased with how his side reacted in a game of two halves against Stoke City.
Fulham played some excellent stuff in the first 45 and deservedly led through Bobby Decordova-Reid’s goal, while a more resolute defensive display was required after the restart.
“The first 45 minutes was probably the best we’ve played all year,” Parker said. “We were outstanding, the position and structure of our team was spot on.
“We limited them to very few changes, and at the same time cut them open and caused them problems. The only slight negative was that we weren’t more than one up.
“At half-time, we spoke about how it might turn into a little bit of a slugfest, and it proved that way.
We showed the other side to us, and sometimes I’ve doubted that in this team.
“Full credit to the defenders, especially after Luton Town where they came under a lot of criticism from me and my staff.
“They stood up like men, when it was time to roll your sleeves up and do they basics and keep the ball out of the back of the net, they did that. It was very pleasing.”
Josh Onomah, Alfie Mawson and Tom Cairney all had to be withdrawn from the match, and Parker gave an update on them in his post-match press conference.
“Josh came to see me first thing this morning and wasn’t feeling well,” he explained.
“He did the warm-up and said he wanted to give it a go, but once the game starts and with the pace, he wasn’t right.
“Alfie and Cairney, we’ll have to see where they are tomorrow. The demands we’re asking of these these players… after 75 minutes both teams were running on empty.
“48 hours since the last time we played, and now we’ve got another 48 hours until we play again.
It’s relentless, it’s tough. I looked at [Stoke centre-back Ryan] Shawcross, who has pulled his calf and had to stay up front.
“We’re in dangerous territory, and every team is the same, you’re running out there with your fingers crossed, hoping you don’t get any big injuries, because the bodies are struggling a little bit.
Hopefully, we’ll get some recovery into these and we’ll go again on Wednesday
