 Fulham have set about proving to the nation that they are "not
in the Premiership to make up the numbers", in the words of their
illustrious chairman. A fine performance against Manchester United
in the opening game showed what they were capable of, underlined by
the subsequent win over Sunderland.
However, they will be hoping to hit the target more frequently - their
goalless draw with Derby highlighted their inaccuracy, as just 31%
of their attempts on goal so far have troubled the 'keeper.
Fulham can boast a pass completion rate of 81% - a very impressive
standard to have reached considering they have had to adapt to the
pace of the Premiership in their opening fixtures. Midfield star Sean
Davis has been particularly impressive, having found a colleague with
more passes than any other player ahead of the defence.
 Charlton
may have been hoping they had escaped the London derby with Fulham
when they left them in the First Division last summer. Jean Tigana's
men were not far behind, however, and they will be looking for revenge
following the Addicks' 1-0 win over them at the Valley the last time
the two sides met in February 2000.
It has been a rather back-to-front start to the season for Charlton.
While Everton have a particularly good record at the Valley, the home
side would still have expected to beat them, or at least get a draw,
rather than lose 2-1 to the Toffeemen. Equally, a win at Ipswich may
have seemed unlikely, but it was secured courtesy of a late Kevin
Lisbie strike. Despite having only scored twice in the two matches,
the Addicks shooting accuracy of 53% has been impressive.
A worrying development for Alan Curbishley to address is the apparent
inability of his side to accurately distribute the ball. With just
66% of their attempted passes having found a red shirt, no other side
have failed with a pass a greater proportion of the time than the
Addicks.
The south-east London side have been more indisciplined than their
western rivals, with six bookings so far to Fulham's three, despite
the Cottagers having played an extra game. Tigana's side have also
conceded just five more free kicks than their opponents this weekend,
although with each team playing in their first London derby of the
season, the tackles are likely to be flying in thick and fast from
both sides.
Fulham have been the more impressive side of the two in the first
fortnight of the season, but with Charlton yet to win at home they
are likely to be battling just as hard for the points.
|
|
|
Charlton
|
The Valley
Sunday 9th September, 2001
|
Fulham
|
|
2
|
Games
|
3
|
|
|
ATTACKING
|
|
|
2
|
Goals scored
|
4
|
|
1.00
|
Ave goals per game
|
1.33
|
|
53%
|
Shooting Accuracy
|
31%
|
|
12%
|
Goals to shots %
|
11%
|
|
|
PASSING
|
|
|
569
|
Passes
|
1427
|
|
66%
|
Pass completion %
|
81%
|
|
|
DEFENDING
|
|
|
71%
|
Tackle success rate %
|
73%
|
|
1
|
Goals conceded
|
2
|
|
0.50
|
Ave goals conceded per game
|
0.67
|
|
|
DISCIPLINE
|
|
|
41
|
Fouls
|
46
|
|
6
|
Yellow cards
|
3
|
|
0
|
Red cards
|
2
|
|
|
Matchday Referee: Jeff Winters
Stockton-on-Tees official Jeff Winter has had a busy start to
the season. Not content with booking six players in his first
match at Anfield, he then proceeded to caution nine more at
Highbury when Leeds came to visit. Not that the bookings grabbed
the headlines - those were reserved for the two red cards he
also dished out.
| Referee's
Name |
J. Winters
|
| Fouls |
87
|
| Penalties |
1
|
| Yellow
Cards |
13
|
| Red
Cards |
2
|
| Ave
Disc points |
70.50
|
|
|
|
Source planetfootball by Chris Green