Bernd Leno revelled in hearing the Fulham fans sing his praises after he produced a man-of-the-match performance to secure an opening day win for the Whites at Everton yesterday.
The German goalkeeper made a string of superb saves to keep the Toffees at bay, especially in a first half where Marco Silva’s side failed to hit the high standards they set during their return to the top flight last season. The visitors were much improved in the second half, with substitute Bobby Decordova-Reid finishing a fine counter attack to steal all three points with seventeen minutes to play.
Leno shared his delight at starting the season with a win in an interview with FFCTV after the final whistle:
“It couldn’t be better. A clean sheet, we won the game, it’s a tough place to come. In the first half, I think we started a little bit nervous but we kept our resolve and in the second half we took our chance and survived until the end. Everton came with a lot of pressure with the crowd, we made a lot of sloppy mistakes and the game was a little bit too open [in the first half]. There was a big gap in the midfield and I thinK Everton found the spaces. As I said, in the second half we controlled the game, we were better and on the ball and had more chances.
It was probably one of the busiest 45 minutes of my career, but I think that’s my job. That’s why I’m here – I am happy that we kept the clean sheet and we got the three points. It helps everyone that we kept a clean sheet and that I made a couple of good saves, so we all – especially myself – go with a very good feeling into the home game [against Brentford next week]. I think today I’ve done most of the things right.”
The former Arsenal goalkeeper wasn’t the only one who was ecstatic when Decordova-Reid put Fulham ahead at the far post.
“Everyone could see how happy we were. It was a well worked goal finally – as I said in the first half, we struggled to play our possession game. The goal was fantastic from the boys. It was much, much better in the second half and I think we deserved that goal.”
Leno also revealed how highly he rates the chant that recognises his quality – a witty reworking of Status Quo’s ‘Rocking all over the world’:
“It was a nice moment. I really enjoy these moments all the time, especially after the clean sheets and a win. The fans are very creative with this chant and I really love it. Hopefully, I can hear it even more!”
