Ladies and gentlemen, drink it in, we’ve done it. Thanks to Harry Wilson and Kenny Tete, Fulham have finally won away from home. A proper away display. Here’s Seven things we learnt from Spurs 1–2 Fulham.
A Landmark Night in Fulham’s Season: Two Wins on the Bounce & 17 Points Entering December
Two wins on the bounce and 17 points is the headline, and deservedly so. Saturday night felt like a landmark point in Fulham’s season.
The away hoodoo has been stripped away, the gap between ourselves and the bottom three has just lengthened, and we are already closing in on that magic points you look for on the halfway point of the season.
It’s amazing what two wins on the trot can do for the outlook of your season. Two points off the top half, but six off the drop zone. Massive.
The Back Four: Fulham’s Prize possession
While I’d argue Kenny Tete was the standout, with Calvin Bassey a close second, Fulham’s back four are our prize possession.
Organised, well drilled, and individually talented. Today exemplified what a defensive away display is all about. We limited Tottenham to 0.07xg throughout the first 45 minutes, and when pressure did start to build in the middle of the second half, the back four stood up and were counted.
This away display comes courtesy of our back four. Cheers, fellas.
Marco Silva: When the Going Got Tough, Marco Got Going
Marco Silva mugs off Thomas Frank again.
The boss has drawn his fair share of criticism in recent weeks, but in the last two games, where it matters, when pressure is building, the teflon don got it spot on. When criticism is warranted, criticse, but when credit is due, pay up.
In my preview, I outlined Fulham’s need to exploit the expansive gaps of space between Spurs’ defence, midfield, and attack to exploit Spurs on the break, while staying resolute defensively.
And shock, Marco does what I say, and we win. I’ll charge three free season tickets and a pint a game to work on the backroom staff, Mr Khan.
This was a classic Marco Silva’s Fulham away display. Digging in deep, playing in transition, staying organised, with the perfect utilisation of subs when needed.
Those subs changed the game for Fulham. When Tottenham where in the ascendency, and Fulham needed to get a foot on the ball, and stake a foothold in the game once more, Marco Silva pulled two perfect subs out his pocket.
Sasa Lukic and Emile Smith Rowe came on, and both were essential to how well Fulham managed the game in the latter stages of the second half.
If Marco leaves, this club will fall to its knees. We cannot let that happen. Give him a blank cheque, and a big backing in January, Tony.
Justice for Raul Jimenez
Raul Jimenez didn’t hold the back page this morning, but his role in Fulham’s consecutive wins shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Not pretty, not fashionable, and at times frustrating, Raul Jimenez draws much criticism from the Fulham faithful. But much of it is unwarranted.
While Raul isn’t the perfect striker, he does the hard yards, mixes it up with physical centre halves, links up play seamlessly, harries defenders, like Vicario for the Whites second goal, and often hits double figures for goals.
Couple that with a clearance as important as a goal, with Raul’s second half goal line heroics, and you have a hard-working, Premier League quality striker.
If Raul was 23 years old, and was brought in for £25m this summer, the narrative around the Mexican would be completely different.
Fulham don’t get their first away three points of the season without Raul up top. Gracias, Raul.
Samuel Chukwueze: Fulham’s Best Player,arguably
While Kevin will take time to adjust to the trials and tribulations of the English game, Samuel Chukwueze has hit the ground running, and then some in West London’s black and white (or gold).
Chukwueze looked like the best player on the pitch in that first half.
He was unlucky not to partner his assist to Kenny Tete’s goal with two goals. Samuel had one shot strike the post, and one chance snatched away right at the death, after going round Guglielmo Vicario.
Sammy has proudced in every single Fulham apperance he has had. The Nigerian has truly revolutionised how Fulham attack, especially where we look best, in transiton.
Sammy looks like the Whites best player at the minute, this is the man that had the world at his feet when he was strutting his stuff in Villereal, well now, he does it in SW6, and with a buy-option at £25m, he’s here to stay.
Harry Wilson: In the Form of his Life
Only one man in this Fulham team has the technique to pull off that audacious finish that put Fulham two up. Harry Wilson is in the form of his life at the minute. Harry is no doubt a confident player, and his confidence is at a top flight high at the moment.
Forget his contributions from thirty yards out, six recoveries in an impressive total from out wide.
Fulham best wide duo? Wilson and Chukwueze, no question.
Has Sander Berge Found his Place in this Fulham team?
Sander Berge next to Alex Iwobi is a different player.
Another man that has been under the cosh, as of late. Sander has gone a long way in the last two games in shutting me, and many of you, right up.
With the creative hold of Fulham’s midifled passed over to Alex Iwobi, Berge can do what he does best — break up play, utilsing his physical stature to dominant the midfield.
Up against Joao Palhinha, Berge came out on top. That’s no mean feet. Sander was paramount in allowing Fulham to play through Spurs’ pivot.
This partnership of Berge and Iwobi seems to be the answer to Fulham’s creative and physical bite issues in midfield.
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