Antonee Robinson believes Fulham are getting better at mixing it with the top sides this season – giving them every chance of pushing on from mid-table in the Premier League.
The Whites were not quite able to take full advantage of an early red card for Liverpool defender Andy Robertson, but Saturday’s thrilling
2-2 draw at Anfield was still hugely encouraging given their unflattering record at the home of the Reds, where they have only won twice.
It follows the previous week’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Craven Cottage, a draw at Spurs and two very narrow defeats in Manchester. They have had only one defeat in the past eight games.
“We’ve been managing to pick up results against top teams, that’s the difference from last year,” said the 27-year-old USA defender. “We’ve got injuries, but it’s all about getting everyone back and staying consistent.
“We were on even footing and then we scored and they got a red card. They took a lot of risks pushing men high and they were rewarded for it. There was space for us on the break but we didn’t capitalise.
“They piled the pressure on and were really positive, They brought Diogo Jota on. I felt like Mo Salah was getting the better of me in the first half, I was on a booking but I felt more myself in the second half.”
Robinson claimed an assist for both Fulham goals – for Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz – and his phenomenal energy and marauding runs down the left flank were one of the reasons the Whites did so well.
His was a man of the match performance which underlined just how important he has become.
Robinson has assisted 11 Premier League goals since the start of last season – the most of any defender in the competition.
Boss Marco Silva knows his defender’s value only too well. He said: “What a performance. It’s really difficult to find one moment where he wasn’t at a really high level.
“It’s not easy to come here playing against a player like Salah, the way normally they like to expose the left-back.
“We took that risk, to go one-v-one, many times. He was so brave, he was so assertive, he was so aggressive in the right way and he did it so, so well.
“He’s improving so, so quick in some things: The way he’s improving in some set-ups, defensive set-ups, being much more brave in the way he faces one-v-one situations, the way he goes inside the spaces as well.
“And of course, again, two assists from a full-back at Anfield shows the quality that he has. I remember some seasons ago, even last season, many people were talking about his decision making, but already he’s the player from our team with more assists for sure.
“What a performance from him. What a performance. Brilliant, unbelievable performance from him, and I told him at the end of the game that he has to be really proud.”
Looking back on the draw, Silva said: “With one player more and leading the score, we should have been more narrow. We were too open and their composure was decisive.
“The momentum is here and in our group. I have to give credit to our players for their attitude and commitment. We have to go in the same way against Southampton next week.”
Fulham’s stomach for the fight against the bigger clubs will be further tested on Boxing Day when they make the short trip to Stamford Bridge to play bitter local rivals Chelsea.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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