There probably weren't two more contrasting matches on the opening day of the 2002-03 Premiership than those involving these two clubs.
A first-half penalty frenzy saw Fulham heading down the Loftus Road tunnel at half time 3-1 up after referee Barry Knight had awarded three spot-kicks in 38 minutes - there were only four awarded in Premiership matches involving Fulham in the entire 2001-02 campaign.
The action was a little more sedate at St Mary's Stadium, where Middlesbrough battled out a 0-0 draw against Southampton. Both sides had their chances but unfortunately for Boro they failed to capitalise and extended an unwanted run of not scoring to four league games now - their worst ever sequence in the Premiership.
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Riverside Stadium
in Middlesbrough
24th Aug. 2002
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Boro |
Fulham |
| Games |
1 |
1 |
| ATTACKING |
| Goals scored |
0 |
4 |
| Av. goals per game |
0.00 |
4.00 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
38% |
50% |
| Goals to shots % |
0.0% |
29% |
| PASSING |
| Passes |
341 |
464 |
| Pass completion % |
74% |
71% |
| DEFENDING |
| Tackle success rate % |
73% |
88% |
| Goals conceded |
0 |
1 |
| Av. goals conceded per game |
0.00 |
1.00 |
| DISCIPLINE |
| Fouls |
15 |
17 |
| Yellow cards |
0 |
1 |
| Red cards |
0 |
0 |
| stats
from opta |
|
New boy Massimo Maccarone started brightly but was well shepherded by the Saints rearguard, the ex-Empoli ace twice finding the safe hands of Paul Jones with shots and firing a couple more efforts off target. Alen Boksic added impetus to the frontline when he came off the bench, but Boro - who had the fewest goal-bound efforts in 2001-02 - could only manage three shots on target in total against Southampton.
Fulham also broke a club record of their own last weekend, recording their highest-ever Premiership win when beating Bolton 4-1. Sylvain Legwinski's brace brought his tally to four goals in three games - an encouraging sign for a side that had problems finding the net last term.
Legwinski's form has helped take Fulham to the brink of a UEFA Cup spot via the Intertoto Cup, and with the return leg of their final coming up just three days after this clash, Jean Tigana's men would love a confidence-boosting performance over Steve McClaren's side.
But Boro will be desperate for an upturn in fortunes at the Riverside, where they won just one and lost three of their final five league matches last season. The defence seemed solid against Saints as it generally was last term, with George Boateng settling well on his debut in front of stalwarts Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, so perhaps the emphasis will be on the attack.
Maccarone notched up his 50th league goal in Italy last season and, having netted 46 times in his last three league campaigns, would love to open his English account on his home debut.
Review by Tim Wheal at Planet Football
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Matchday Referee:
Mike Dean,
Wirral
This is Mike Dean's second Premiership season and 2001/02 should see his profile rise considerably as he takes charge of more matches.
Some players might have a hard time taking orders from someone younger than them, but the Premiership's senior professionals will have to get used to it because there's a new kid on the block. At 33, Mike Dean is certainly the Premiership's youngest referee, but the Merseyside shift supervisor turned full-time ref has already taken charge of a Wembley final.
Last season he reffed four
Fulham games, three of them at home, against Sunderland,Derby, and Middlesbrough with the fourth game being away at Bolton. During the games he yellow carded 4 Fulham players and 8 opponents |
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| MATCH BETTING ODDS
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Fulham go north to Middlesbrough on Saturday for their second match of the new Premiership season. Last year the points were split with both teams winning their home games. In the game up at Boro last February Fulham were unlucky to come away without a point, after losing 2-1, in a game they had hoped to win.
On Saturday the High Street Bookies are unanimous that The Boro will wack Fulham by a big margin. If you think they are wrong then the best odds against a Fulham win are being offered by Hills at 11/4 while Ladbrokes offer the best draw odds at 12/5.
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