Marco Silva spoke candidly about a 3-0 defeat for Fulham against Arsenal.
The Cottagers were on the cusp of the qualifying places for continental competition, but they struggled to spark into life at the Emirates Stadium to capitalise on a defeat for Brighton.
‘We have to do the basics well’
Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka sealed the three points for the hosts before the first half was over, netting three goals to give the Gunners breathing room at the top of the table. It was a disappointing display in the eyes of the head coach, who sees the result as a reminder of the required standards.
“Of course, we have to congratulate Arsenal for the three points, but we made their life too easy. Too easy in the first half, the way we were not at the level that this type of game demands from ourselves.
“One thing is making us to be a team that is always hard to play against, because we are always very competitive, we are always brave. We have a clear identity how to play, and during the first half, all these aspects, they were not on the pitch. We expected Arsenal to start the way they did. We planned to try to start strong, too, and to try to express ourselves, to express ourselves on the pitch.
“Sometimes it's not easy to set your game straightaway when you come to these type of places – their quality, their capacity to press. You have to be strong in duels, we have to be able to hold the ball, you have to be able to beat your man, and, of course, off the ball, we have to do the basics well.
“And, this afternoon, if you look at the way we conceded the three goals during the first half, we are not at the level that the Premier League demands from you. I'm not talking about the game against Arsenal – [but the level that the] Premier League demands from you.
“We were not able to defend the box like we should defend, and to be strong enough in that type of moment. And that was the reason why the first half was a big frustration from us, and a disappointing performance from ourselves in all aspects of the game. We were second best in almost everything in the first half. Clear conversation at half-time, the message was clear for them. It was our obligation.
“The minimum we should have done is to do completely different things second half. We did it, but was too late already, and the damage was there.”