Fulham Continue to Terrorize the Top 4
- Angus Kearney
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
Champions-elect Liverpool hit a road bump on Sunday, losing 3-2 at Craven Cottage. It was a 15-minute masterclass from Fulham, taking a 3-1 lead before half time, with goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi, and an unbelievable goal from Rodrigo Muniz, the Brazilian striker flicking the ball over Virgil Van Dijk and sliding it through the legs of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Despite getting one back in the second half, Liverpool lost their first away game of the season.
It was one poor half in an otherwise fantastic season for Liverpool, with some defensive lapses brought on by Fulham's pressure. However, when looking at Fulham's record this season, the result is less surprising than it seems at first glance.
Fulham are enjoying their best Premier League season in the club's history, with 48 points after 32 games. The club are in with a chance at European Football, sitting in 8th place, just four points behind 5th placed Manchester City.
Even more impressive is the club's performance in big games. Fulham have won more points against the current Premier League top four than any other team in the league, with 14. They’ve beaten Nottingham Forest twice, Chelsea, and now Liverpool. As well as holding Arsenal and Liverpool to a point at Craven Cottage back in the fall.
As we saw on Sunday, where certain teams sit back in a low-block against the big boys. Fulham press high, which can leave the defense vulnerable playing against high-quality opposition, but also creates chaos like we saw against Liverpool.
Silva has the personnel to do this, playing a dynamic front four. With Alex Iwobi and Ryan Sessegnon outside of Andreas Perreira and Rodrigo Muniz up front. This group is easily interchangeable though, as Silva’s built a deep squad with Emile Smith Rowe, Raul Jimenez, and Harry Wilson all having similar profiles. If Fulham can make Europe this year, they’ll be a dangerous prospect for any side in the Europa or Europa Conference League.
Still only 47, Marco Silva has all the makings of a top manager. If Fulham's rise continues, I’d give him a chance at the Manchester City job when Pep Guardiola eventually leaves.
He's been linked with Spurs, if/when they decide to put Ange out of his misery, as well as a return to us, a couple of years down the line. I think he should sty put, though. I get the impression the likes of Fulham, Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, and, especially, Forest and Villa, are tired of being cannon fodder for the big boys, and their managers back themselves tactically to give anyone a game. Let's hope Everton join the revolution!
Iwobi is finally living up to all that promise - back when he used to frustrate the Arsenal fans. Even got an assist for the Muniz goal….too funny!