BEVERLY HILLS, January 17, (THEWILL) – English Premier League side Fulham’s six-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to a halting end after a 1-nil loss to London side Chelsea in their Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening.
On the other hand, the victory ended Chelsea’s three-match winless run in the league helping to move them up to seventh with a three-point gap from the top four.
Fulham boss, Scott Parker, included a trio of players of Nigerian descent, with Centre backs Tosin Adarabioyo and Ola Aina and forward Ademola Lookman in his starting lineup. There was also Josh Onomah, who was brought in with eleven minutes remaining to salvage something from the game.
Yet, they were unable to take any points from a game that remained deadlocked until a 78th-minute opener and game-winner from Chelsea. Fulham did not do their chances any favour when Antonee Robinson was sent off in the 44th minute, in a VAR-backed decision by referee Peter Bankes.
To accommodate the vacuum that dismissal created in the Fulham game plan, versatile Super Eagles defender Aina had to shift and operate forwards from that flank for the rest of the second period. He played for 83 minutes winning six duels, making five recoveries with two shots off target and a pass accuracy of 71% before being replaced by Joe Bryan.
Adarabioyo played the entire game at the other end of the defence lineup. He had five recoveries, the interceptions and a 78% pass accuracy while winning six but losing 5 duels. Ademola was the most fouled player in the match as he was brought down five times with a pass accuracy score of 83% and a single shot off target.
Mason Mount came closest to breaking the deadlock with an effort that struck the woodwork in the 28th minute. But that was as good as it got until twelve minutes from time, when his persistence paid off and Mount made the difference and proved the match-winner.
As much as they tried, Fulham could not hang on to another point. They remain rooted in the relegation zone ahead of another tough game against League leaders Manchester United on Wednesday, January 20.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
