Gestede and Braithwaite both had glorious chances to score, but neither did. People can argue all day long that Gestede finished badly, or that either should have shot earlier (or gone around the keeper). But, where is the credit for Betts when he came rushing out, made himself big and forced Gestede into a rush decision? Braithwaite's chance was tougher as he was not so much in the clear, and again Betts made himself big, and with Kalas closing down also, the chance became more difficult. There are 11 men on a football team and Betts is one of those. So, to say the two Boro strikers missed sitters, is an injustice to Bettinelli. Other than that, in a first half where Fulham didn't get going, Boro did not have a shot on target. The biggest danger in the first half came from the impressive Traore, who gave Sess a torrid time, but luckily his skill is not complemented by a good end product.
In the second half, the Whites looked much better, and some of the passing and interplay was similar to the excellent results at the back end of last season. Then we come to the penalties. The foul on Braithwaite, by Kalas, was a penalty. But, if you see it from the ref's point of view, Braithwaite put his arm around Kalas' neck. I can imagine in normal time and from where the ref was standing it must have looked like "six of one, and half a dozen of another". The law states that if in doubt he cannot give the pen, and had Braithwaite not put his arm over Kalas' neck then the pen would have been given. Our pen, was soft, but the replays show that the defender's foot clearly made contact with Norwood's foot. Norwood had every right to go down, and he promptly gave us the win from the spot. So, two definite penalties, but one easier to give than the other from the ref's point of view.
We shouldn't forget that Sess and Kalas both got into scoring positions, so we had our chances also. The possession stats of 63% to 37%, in Fulham's favour, are excellent given the talent at Pulis' disposal. Credit must be given to the FFC players for continuing to look for the win in the last 10 minutes,when many other teams would have shut up shop against a strong Boro' team. Every team needs a little luck, now and again, but I think the Whites' made their own luck yesterday.
We come to the two managers and their tactics. I think Slav probably played Sess at left back to try and counter the pace and skill of Traore. In the second half, the introduction of Kalas for Ojo, who was not at his best, allowed Sess to move forward and Odoi to slot in at left back. It was also noticeable that Pulis moved Traore over to the left wing, which gave Sess and Odoi, less to worry about defensively. Why Pulis did this is a mystery, given the torrid time Traore gave Sess in the first half. Maybe it was to try and halt the forward runs of Ryan Fredericks, but only Pulis knows why. The end result of this switch, was that Traore was not a threat, and his only involvement was chasing back as Ryan marauded forward. Whether Slav made the switch before Pulis made his switch, I do not know, but I do know that Slav's switch worked and Pulis' switch did not work.
All in all, whatever the players are feeling, even if they think we got out of jail, the fact they we won at one of our stronger rivals, will give confidence and freedom for the rest of the season. One word of caution, is that Burton are better away than at home, and Slav will be instilling in the players, the need for concentration and not to become complacent. The words "banana skin" spring to mind, but I have faith that the Slav and the lads will have already thought this.
MOM- Kevin McDonald.
IN SLAVISA WE TRUST
FTID
COYWs
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© Nic Smith
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