Fulham 1 Huddersfield 0
It’s hard to talk about today’s game without referring to the old and tired cliche of it being a game of two halves for the first. Fulham looked confused and dazed in the first half and never found any sort of rhythm, although they weren’t helped by Philip Billing (good player) practically playing like Kante in the midfield. Criticism of the team was fair — they couldn’t string any passes and failed to get shots off in the box, aside from two Mitrovic attempts from corners.
The second half, however, was by far Fulham’s best this season. The debates of single game xG can be had far and wide but they only conceded 0.11xG to Huddersfield in the second half and they didn’t concede a shot from the 43rd minute to 86th. Regardless of your opinion on the style of play, Ranieri has spoken of improving the defence and to his credit, he has so far excelled at this. When previous “deer in headlights players” (at least at this level) like Odoi, Ream and Christie look competent to a certain degree, then the system is certainly working for the defence.
The attack looked far more functional in the second, probably down to the addition of a natural winger to the lineup on the right hand side and pushing the bored Cairney to CM, who suddenly brightened up. Who woulda thought? Regardless, the change worked and Fulham controlled the game far more (55% possession to Huddersfield’s 45% in the second). Credit to the Tinkerman.
Should also be worth noting that the goal essentially came from a Huddersfield attempt to counter attack — leaving their CBs stranded at the back for the first time today. Durm and Kongolo stranded upfield allowed Sess to go one on one against a CB — a huge mismatch and thus, the goal. Counter attacks can lead to further counter attacks? Anyway, here are some player thoughts.
Overall Player Thoughts
Vietto: There’s a really good player in there and one that needs to play more often. His lack of desire to shoot when small windows open up for him is frustrating but his link up play with Mitro, particularly in the second once he started to figure out where Mitro’s headers or “chest-offs” would land started to give him more clarity. In a defensive team, having creators like Luci (3 key passes today) is vital. We need to see more of him, possibly alongside Sess and Mitro.
Mitro: I stated back in February (remember those days?) that I thought Mitro was the best striker we’ve had since Saha. His holdup play and ability to bully defenders is just ridiculous. The way he uses his body to hold off CBs and create space is just astounding. Lovely finish for the goal and hopefully a return to form.
Seri: There’s a very good player in there and anyone questioning his commitment and ability to get stuck in should watch his tackle on Hadergjonaj that got him booked. For someone quite small, it was fairly remarkable how much of a brutish tackle it was. Anyway, his substitution was perhaps unfortunate for him given how good his set piece delivery is and some passes he make are sublime.
Cairney: Completely lacklustre and awful first half performance. Obviously the right wing isn’t his natural position but to put in such a bored look when you are captain and strut around the field aimlessly is farcical. Seri’s booking turned out to be beneficial for him as he did look slightly more of the Cairney of old in the second half. Still, not convinced and very hard to get his dreadful and uninterested sub appearance from Wolves out of my head. Also should not be captain. Got a feeling a January move is coming but it won’t be the Shelvey one though.
Chambers: His range of passing is just dreadful but he’s excellent at everything else. Just so suited to this role of “tackle everything that moves and isn’t in a Fulham shirt.” Will get sent off one of these days though from a bad tackle and we’ll struggle without him at Arsenal.
Kamara: Obviously a lucky boy with the way the game turned out and probably owes Mitro a seafood dinner but Ranieri’s comments after the game indicate to me that he might not have that opportunity. Don’t do that, AK. You’ve lost the respect of your teammates, coaching staff and fans. A long way back for him now.
Sessegnon: Obviously I’d like to see him start against Arsenal but groin injuries need to be monitored carefully. No use making the situation far worse and him having a lengthy layoff, especially with how effective he is. He’s being well managed by Ranieri with the injury and we still won the game. Patience.
