Ivan Cavaleiro felt Fulham more than deserved their draw at Tottenham last night – with a strong second half performance that continued their recent revival under Scott Parker.
The Portuguese winger scored a magnificent equaliser with a majestic header after excellent approach play down the left wing by substitute Ademola Lookman. That capped off a splendid response to going behind to Jose Mourinho’s men and the visitors might even have snatched a late winner. Cavaleiro felt Fulham’s display was one of the most complete of their campaign to date, telling the club’s official website afterwards:
I think we played very well. We showed our quality. We conceded a goal but the team reacted very well and, in the second half, we did our best. We focused, we fight and, fair play to us, because I think we played much better than Tottenham in the second half. We are building with another unbeaten run and we will focus on the next game against Chelsea.
We could see that we go further. We had spaces, we were playing very, very well. When you have the possession, when you have the ball, you have more confidence to get the chances. This was one of the best second halves we had this season. Like I said, this is where we build, we grow, keeping the same mentality because we have some important games coming ahead and just keep going.
Cavaleiro praised manager Parker for giving the side belief during his half-time team talk and his words were heeded during an adventurous second half showing from Fulham.
The gaffer said he was just watching one team playing football, in terms of possession and in terms of quality. Their game was more individually, play to Kane or Son, and he just gave us some motivation for the second half. I think we reacted very well.
The former Wolves winger said he was enjoying a new-found freedom as he leads the line in Fulham’s reshaped system and admitted that his header was probably the best of his career to date.
Not really! Yesterday, I was training and working on my headers. Today, I was a little surprised, but I said ‘This is my time and I have to do it.’ I feel more freedom at the front – in terms of movement and getting the ball. I’ve played centre forward before and I’m used to it, so I’m ready. Wherever I have to play, I’ll play.
