Fulham (A) | PL | Post-Match Thread

[eastmanc]

People always say it’ll be easier ‘teams have nothing to play for’ except they do as they have the opportunity to beat the champions, impact the title race or potentially european qualification etc. against other teams so I always find it an odd statement.

They certainly didn’t look like a team that had nothing to play for and these are the kind of wins that can mean just as much as Wednesday come the end of the season.

Reminded me of the Burnley 1-0 when we won the treble. Sometimes you have to grind it out.

 

[Ajm1985]

That second half was absolutely horrid.

Alvarez was excellent - great goal and single-handedly pressed them in the second half.

 

[Doctor Jimmy and Mr Jim]

Brilliant shit from Alvarez...whit a goal.

Clever! :O)

 

[bluesince76]

A big week coming. Arsenal need to beat Chelsea on Tuesday and then we've got two home games, albeit against teams fighting for their lives before they have to go to Newcastle.

This week really could be the difference, but as long as we keep avoiding the banana skins, Arsenal will run out of games

 

[Andouble]

90 minutes closer to Madrid with no (known) injuries. Job done.

 

[nmc]

Looked a lot leggy which isn’t great considering we have 3 games in 6/7 days coming up including Real away.

Next few games at home that makes a difference.

 

[Big mals fedora]

We were super lucky today imo. Could’ve had two pens against us and a red card easily.

If the ref had given the 2 pens that I presume you’re referring too, they would have been overturned. They were nowhere near pens

 

[Sheik Battle and Goal]

Great goal from Alvarez, worthy of the three points. Thought we did well in the first half but the defence was a little shaky. Second half was a tough watch, would have liked to have seen Bernardo and Foden brought on a little earlier but we got the all important points. Feet up for a day and recovery before what I am sure will be a physical battle against West Ham.

I thought Fulham pressed us really well especially 2nd half without threatening too much. Their goal was a hopeful punt forward and they got lucky with the bounce which is what I thought might happen again. 3 points against a tricky team and Alvarez goal was brilliant.

 

[Millennium]

Great result. The players were tired. Hope Pep will solve this problem preior to Madrid game.

I think we're all agreed, three points is all that matters, but that's true all season in my opinion.

My minor worry is that against a mid-table team who who we would expect to beat almost every time, our defense looked shaky and we created very little. Jack had two good chances, Erling came very close early in the second half, but I can think of few other clear-cut opportunities.

But for the genius of Alvarez that's two points dropped an suddenly doubts start to emerge.

And then on to Kev. Sometimes we play very very well without him, I'm not sure of there is a common theme as to why, but he is arguably the world's best player and his absence today, make no mistake, would have given Fulham a boost. With a two goal cushion and Kev not playing we cruise along nicely, it isn't the same with just a one goal advantage.

Phil looked far hungrier than Riyad, I think he'll start against West Ham.

Let us also not forget though, that our opponents on 45 points at kick off, and still on 45 points, were the epitome of a team with absolutely nothing to play for. That makes the game 10% easier.

Phil should have done better, instead، he tried to dribble every time he received the ball and wasted any chance to have an impact on the game. I was expecting more from him taking into consideration the circumstances of the game.

 

[Edghill OG]

Great result. Controlled the game for the most part and just couldn't get that third goal. Leno was on top form mixed with some wasteful finishing on our part. Started looking a bit nervy whilst the game wore on and there was still only one goal in it.

Relieved we backed up the Arsenal result after dropping points to Forest after beating the Gooners at the Emirates. Fingers crossed 2 wins at home next week and we'll be in a good place.