Fulham 4–5 Manchester City. But that doesn’t tell the full story.
Fulham were whiskers away from a Juventus like comeback at the Cottage. So unlucky. It was a fantastic effort from the fellas in that second half. Here’s Six things we learnt from Fulham 4–5 Manchester City:
This Side Has Too Much Quality & Character to Go Down
What a second half display. Likely the best 45 minutes of football I have seen Fulham play since promotion to the Premier League.
Despite the second half display, there are lessons to be learnt. Sasa Lukic should never start alongside Sander Berge ever again but the heart and attacking talent Fulham showed shows two things:
If it was ever in doubt, this Fulham side is still 100% behind Marco Silva, and Fulham have the final third quality, in Chukwueze, King, Kevin, Smith Rowe, Wilson and Iwobi, to fire themselves out of a relegation battle.
Couple that spirit and delectable medley of attacking talent with the defensive solidity we have seen in every home display, but today and you have a team that will survive comfortably.
Add a talismanic number nine into the mix and you have an upper mid table side once again.
Playing like we did in that second half, and we could beat anyone.
Another positive night of sorts, you’ll certainly take that going into Palace.
The Final Nail in the Coffin For the Sander and Sasa Partnership
Sasa Lukic puts in his worst Fulham display since Chelsea away.
From 18:15, when the lineups were announced, you knew how this game (first half) was going to go. We were going to give City too much respect, with a midfield two that have no bite when playing as a partnership.
And low and behold, look what every single one of City’s first half goals came from — Fulham being overly passive in midfield.
Just look at the change you saw when Alex Iwobi dropped back into midfield. We looked a different team. That tells you all you need to know.
If you didn’t know before, Marco, you must know now, Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic cannot play together — not even when Alex Iwobi goes to AFCON.
Alex Iwobi and Sander Berge is our midfield remedy.
Samuel Chukwueze: Game Changer, System Changer
I know it’s early days, but Samuel Chukwueze truly looks like one of the most talented players I have ever seen in a Fulham shirt.
Since Samuel Chukwueze has come into this Fulham team he has revolutionised the way Fulham attack.
On the break, we look a constant threat.
In the final third, we have that cutting edge, that produces the difference we have in the Fulham team we have seen in the last three games, and the Fulham team we saw at the Hill Dickenson.
Sammy was so unlucky to not take the roof at the Cottage after a vintage Chukwueze mazy run.
We need to get that buy option signed, sealed, and delivered tonight. At only 26, it’s scary what the Nigerian could do in the coming years at the Cottage.
Emile Smith Rowe: Turning His Fulham Career Around?
For those 75 minutes that Emile Smith Rowe was on the pitch, he was the Whites most threatening player.
Emile found half spaces, demanded the ball, and made things happen.
There has been a massive improvement in Emile’s form since Newcastle away, and long may it continue. Emile vs Josh is becoming some battle for that number ten role.
Does the near comeback ever happen if Fulham go into the half 3–0 down? No.
Emile nearly had that Dickson Etuhu like strike in forgotten parts of a near historic Fulham match.
Was this evening a turning point in Smith Rowe’s Fulham career?
Harry Wilson: Fine Form Continues
The lone bright sparks in a largely dark first half display were Emile Smith Rowe and Harry Wilson.
It was a sumptous Wilson cross that picked out ESR for Fulham’s opener, but Harry looked a transitional threat throughout all of HW’s time on the pitch.
The Welshman created the most chances (2) in the match tonight. Harry was just another man who excelled out wide for Fulham this evening.
Kevin: Another Stellar Substitute Display
Another stellar substitute display from our Brazilian hot shot. He caused Matheus Nunes countless problems down that Fulham left wing.
Kevin was beating men at ease, his confidence was back in full flow.
If Kev’s squared ball into the six yard box went into the vicinity of Raul Jimenez, we’d likely be talking about this night for years. If Josh King Donnarumma dink wasn’t cleared off the line after King was slipped in by a clever Kevin pass, we’d be doing the exact same.
Off the bench, Fulham certainly have some lethal options. Kevin might be the pick of the bunch.