Cottage POV

This seems to be how Fulham’s Premier League games against Brighton go, they dominate large parts of the fixtures but it’s Fulham who pick up the result. I personally thought Brighton were superb, certainly the best team we’ve played this season. They ask so many tough tactical questions and really pen you in to your own half with aggressively placed wing backs and pressed right into your face.

For a massive chunk of the fixture, Brighton were in full control of the game but happened to be a goal down. Fulham were better in the second half and limited opportunities on goal and it took a little more direct play from the visitors, a longer ball into Joao Pedro managed to draw the attention of both Calvin Bassey and Issa Diop; a gorgeous touch gave Carlos Baleba clean air untracked and a lovely strike from him drew Brighton level.

From there though, Fulham upped the ante and saw their best periods of possession of the game. They were pressing and had their most consistent spells within Brighton territory. A tricky corner kick came off the arse of Motspur Park graduate Matt O’Riley who – quite sadly – has now played more professional minutes against Fulham than for them.

The win was wrapped up by a terrific strike from man of the match Alex Iwobi who is enjoying a career year at Craven Cottage. Playing at the peak of his powers, Iwobi has helped the team on either flank so far this season and yesterday with Fulham down on numbers in the middle, took the 8 role with aplomb a match winning performance where he could have had a hat-trick. Fulham’s Swiss (Nigerian?) Army knife, Iwobi had to dig in alongside Sander Berge in a game where Brighton had much more of the ball and trying to develop scoring opportunities on Fulham’s goal.

Alex Iwobi is just a joy to watch at the moment. A “chill guy” who said he’s in the best place mentally he’s been and he plays like it. Craven Cottage has become a fun place for him to play his football under Marco Silva and a squad that is just fantastic vibes. Back in London, Alex is able to also use his time to work on his music and the amazing work he does in communities through his Project 17. Fulham is often dubbed this upper class, posho club but that’s not a true representation of wider London and areas around the multimillion pound housing market. London is put on a political pedestal but to do that is to deny the struggles many are seeing within the city capital and players like Alex Iwobi working with the community is everything Fulham should be and more. He’s an amazing representative of Fulham FC, seems a fantastic human being and a pleasure to watch play football at the moment.

This run of games was daunting after a shock 4-1 loss at home to Wolves, there were fears that Fulham may not pick up points for a little while. Half way through a tricky run of 4, Fulham have 4 points and with that have two games at home to Arsenal and away to Liverpool which could maybe be deemed as free hits. Not that Fulham are incapable of picking up points, Fulham beat Arsenal at home last year and it took a 87th and 88th freaky outside the box stunners from Liverpool to overturn Fulham’s 3-2 lead at Anfield. Anything is possible, it feels a bit surreal being 6th after 15 games and if Fulham keep their levels this high, have a real opportunity for European football next year.

Enjoy the ride.