A win in the middle of the week Aston VillaHinted at Fulham’s potential, and victory over Leeds felt more definitive declaration.
Fulham’s Sunday win at Elland Road, 3-2, is their first consecutive win Premier League matches since Scott Parker’s side did so in April 2019 and they have now equalled their total wins tally from the 2020-21 season.
Marco Silva’s team are seventh in the Premier League table and while there is the small caveat of having played a game more than half of the league, there was pleasing confidence and coherency to their performance against Leeds. The goalline clearance by Marc RocaCrysencio Sommerville scored a consolation goal late in the game to keep the scoreline at a respectable level for Fulham, in a match neither side would wish to call a six-pointer. Such was the quality of Fulham’s performance, their fans well may begin to set their end-of-season aims more ambitious than “finishing higher than 18th”.
Things are getting serious for Fulham’s class of 2022-23: the strongest Premier League side fashioned under Shahid Khan’s ownership.
It is amazing how Silva has managed to lift a Fulham side to the top using players who were not considered capable of such a feat.
Harrison ReedA fringe player at SouthamptonFulham’s fast break power comes from the energy and drive of Reed. Reed’s off-ball-positioning has improved since his last season in the Premier League and his pairing with Joao PalhinhaSilva’s many works can be built upon a solid foundation provided by a 4-2-2-3-1 system.
Fulham prefer to play in a direct and fast counter-attacking style. Reed and Paulinha can be quick to get their heads above the ball. Although Leeds began strongly at Elland Road, they had no idea what to do with most of their possession. As the legs and confidence levels of the home side diminished, Fulham’s pairing took over, funnelling the ball to forward options.
These included, but were not limited to: Andreas Pereira: The much-maligned figure at Manchester United who is now relishing a role as one of Fulham’s attacking hubs. The only thing that spoiled a performance that earned two assists was a wasteful counter-attack at the end of the 30th minute.
Pereira has had an unusual midfield career. His high stamina as well as his solid passing ability have led to managers trying him out in a variety of positions, including on the wing, defensive midfield and box-to–box. He is one of many players benefitting from the clarity and directness of Silva’s instructions. Pereira is now a No 10 and works within a system that plays to his strengths, but also asks him to work hard to hide his weaknesses.
“(He is a) key player for us as well — on the ball and off the ball,” said Silva when asked about his playmaker. “His first pressure is unbelievable as well when the opposition team is trying to build that attack.”
One-time Brazil international Andreas Pereira is thriving as a creative force at Fulham following his move to west London from Manchester United (Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Pereira’s dead-ball delivery has also become a valued asset to a side who have now scored five set-piece goals from an expected goals (xG) rating of 2.96. This Fulham team are sprinkled with players who work as a “value add”, enhancing those close to them.
A 34-year old WillianIt was not likely that he would continue to be this efficient in carrying the ball through narrow corridors, but he took up the fight to become more aggressive Jack HarrisonAnd Luke Ayling. Leeds occupied most of the space left behind by the Brazilian. Antonee Robinson.
This is not the Frankenstein’s monster squad of Fulham’s previous Premier League campaigns — instead, opposition expecting to face a yo-yo team of inconsistency may find themselves on the receiving end of well-worked counter-attack. Silva’s side know how they want to play from minute one to minute 90, and when they do concede a goal, they do not crumble, but instead try to work their way up the field via direct passes and set pieces. Bobby Decordova-Reid’s second-half goal, another headed finish at the near post, was the sort of simple goal that happens when a team works hard and works for each other.”
Fulham’s efforts are boosted by Aleksandar MitrovicHe has already scored three times more goals for 2020-21 than his 11 goals in the first 11 games of2022-23. The striker is taking painkilling injections to manage a foot injury picked up while on international duty for Serbia but is finding a way to manage his limited mobility and service his side’s needs. Mitrovic knows how to do a lot with a little: his movement for a near-post header to equalise for Fulham in the 26th minute was exemplary and following a heavy fall in the 36th minute, he found ways to reconfigure and still be a nuisance to Leeds’ attempts to build from the back.
Silva explained at full-time that Silva’s striker decided against a substitute for half-time due to an ankle problem. He played through the pain barrier for most of the second period. Fulham’s reward came in the 84th minute when Mitrovic fended off the attentions of two Leeds defenders by the corner flag before slipping in Harrison Reed, who went on to assist Willian for the away side’s third.
Preserving the Serbian’s match fitness is vital to Fulham’s season — EvertonManchester United Manchester City remain for Silva’s side before the World Cup. There are few centre-backs who will face the same test of strength and aerial wits as the 28-yearold.
Fulham’s 2022-23 season is a joy, with their dependable elements providing support for every matchweek in an unpredictable and unusual scheduling.
Fulham’s confidence is key to any Premier League season. Outsiders may consider them too optimistic, but they have the ability to solve difficult problems. If their last midweek victory hinted at Fulham avoiding relegation, this weekend’s win suggested a potential march towards mid-table.
(Top photo: Stu forster/Getty Images
