Fulham returned to Premier League action with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. It was a result that left The Cottagers slipping down the table from ninth to 12th, but where does it leave Fulham going forward?
Fulham returned from the international break with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
After much build-up and expectation at The Cottagers returning to Premier League action after a three-week hiatus, Marco Silva’s men barely got off the ground on Merseyside.
It has left Fulham fans frustrated, not so much with the result but more with the manner of the defeat, with The Cottagers putting in a timid performance.
In reality, they did not throw a punch until the second half, by which time Liverpool led 2-0 and the game was effectively all but over.
But this was always a bit of a free hit, having only ever won twice at Anfield in their entire history, it would have been an incredible win for Marco Silva if he was able to do it.
So, where does this defeat now leave Fulham with just six games remaining?
Marco Silva has work to do to ensure Fulham finish the season as strongly as possible. Image Credit: ReutersWell, after results at the weekend largely could not have gone any worse for Fulham, they slipped to 12th in the Premier League table.
Bournemouth’s 2-1 win over Arsenal may have severe ramifications on not just the Premier League title but also on the race for European football, and the Cherries, as well as Sunderland, who inflicted more pain on Tottenham with a 1-0 win, usurped Fulham in the table.
Those two sides, as well as Brighton, who beat Burnley to continue their outstanding form of five wins from their last six matches, were the big winners in the race for Europe.
Brentford, who currently occupy seventh, drew with eighth-placed Everton, and those sides are now just a point behind Chelsea, who were comfortably defeated 3-0 by Manchester City.
Liverpool’s win does give them a slight cushion for the last Champions League place, but between Chelsea in sixth, who have now lost three games on the spin and Newcastle in 14th, there are just six points.
That sees nine teams battling it out for three European spots and despite defeat, Fulham are just three points away.
Where are the pivotal matches?
It does not get much bigger for Fulham’s season than this weekend’s trip to Brentford at lunchtime on Saturday.
The Cottagers could close the gap entirely with Brentford with a win at the Gtech Stadium and suddenly change the entire narrative of the season.
Win that, and then the home clash with Aston Villa the following Saturday becomes another key match, before an away trip to Arsenal, in which picking anything up would be considered a bonus.
Then come three matches, Fulham will believe they can win - Bournemouth at home, Wolves away and Newcastle at home on the final day.
There are set to be plenty of twists and turns, but the key match is this Saturday for the Cottagers.