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Liverpool were held to a frustrating goalless draw as Fulham picked up their first point of the Premier League season at Anfield.
Liverpool, who gave a first Premier League start to Bradley Barcola, were a little sluggish in their use of the ball from the outset after their exertions against Atletico Madrid. Alisson’s error was almost punished by Goncalo Garcia but Jeremy Jacquet cleared.
The Reds did come close to
Fulham and boss Alvaro Arbeloa claimed their first Premier League point of the season with a goalless draw against Liverpool.
Less than 72 hours after the Reds beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Andoni Iraola’s side lacked the intensity and urgency they showed on Wednesday night as they failed to score for the first time this term.
Arbeloa came into this game under pressure, with his side having lost
Fulham enjoyed a better expected goals (xG) of 3.13 than Palace (1.97), and also ran Chelsea close on the opening weekend.
But that does not stop the table reading three matches played, three defeats, zero points.
It led to booing from some Fulham fans, as well as chants questioning the team’s performance.
Arbeloa will be no stranger to pressure. His playing career included more than 350 appearances for Real Madrid,
In a week where Palace said goodbye to Daniel Munoz – their former attack-minded right wing-back who has now joined Nottingham Forest – Mitchell and Chilwell showed goals from wing-backs are not disappearing.
All three goals showed intent and endeavour to get forward from deep positions, though Fulham’s defence was lacking.
First, Mitchell was put through on goal by Eddie Nketiah. With his options of passing from the left limited
Fulham have agreed to sign midfielders Manuel Angel and Hugo Larsson from Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively.
Angel, a graduate of Madrid’s academy, is set to join for an undisclosed fee after making his first-team debut earlier this year.
The Spanish youth international, 22, will reunite with former boss Alvaro Arbeloa and become the third player to make the switch to Craven Cottage from the Spanish capital, following Gonzalo
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa criticised his team’s attitude, commitment and desire after defeat by Sunderland, whose first Premier League win of the season came courtesy of substitute Wilson Isidor’s strike.
Isidor came on in the 64th minute and made a decisive impact in a scrappy game of few clear-cut chances.
He nearly scored when found unmarked in a central position in the penalty area, only to hit the foot
Fulham are in talks to sign Romania defender Andrei Ratiu from Rayo Vallecano.
Talks are continuing over a deal for the 28-year-old, who is open to a move to Craven Cottage.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side are looking to strengthen in defence. Ratiu is primarily a right-back but is capable of playing in other positions.
Romania-born Ratiu has spent almost his entire club career in Spain since joining Villarreal’s academy, apart from
Cole Palmer was back to his best to get Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea career off to a winning start in a chaotic 3-2 victory at Fulham on Monday Night Football.
The Blues’ attacking trio of Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers looked every bit the most potent in the Premier League as all three scored in a game where entertainment reigned and defending was an afterthought.
Palmer, finally injury-free and
Robert Sanchez: An early kicking error gifted Fulham a corner. He should have saved King’s equaliser at his near post, while his initial save for Fulham‘s second was parried into a dangerous area, allowing Garcia to score. 3
Josh Acheampong: The 20-year-old produced a fine double clearance and block in the 27th minute and looked solid throughout. 6
Maxence Lacroix: Remarkably involved in both of Chelsea
It is not just Alonso and Arbeloa who are among Benitez’s former Liverpool players to have moved into management.
He reels off more than 20 names who have become coaches or managers, a list including Wales boss Craig Bellamy. He also points out that Djimi Traore is now an assistant coach at Seattle Sounders.
“I sent him to the shower at half-time in the Champions League final [in 2005],” he