Fulham's unbeaten run was extended to five games with a 1-1 draw against Man City, but was also the third without a win.
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Roy Hodgson |
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Roy Hodgson reckons his Fulham side have finally earned the respect of their Premier League rivals after their encouraging start to the season.
Saturday’s entertaining 1-1 draw with visitors Manchester City took the Cottagers’ unbeaten run to five games, and maintained their position in the top half of the table.
And Hodgson insisted the attitude of Mark Hughes’ men spoke volumes for the strides the London club are making.
Hodgson said: “A year ago teams like Man City would come here thinking they were going to beat us quite easily.
“But now teams are affording us the respect of being satisfied by leaving with a point.
“We are proving very hard to beat and we are showing we have good footballers here as well.
“But everyone is aware of just how close this league is so you can never be truly satisfied.”
Fulham were given an early jolt on Saturday by Benjani’s close-range header, but the home side battled back with a Jimmy Bullard leveller, and could count themselves unfortunate not to have won the game.
And Hodgson was delighted with the spirit of his side.
He added: “When you are on a good run an early goal can lead to the side losing its discipline and shape and before you know it the game is lost.
“But we got ourselves back on track and scored an excellent goal.
“In fact, I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t go on to get three points.”
The Londoners head to Stoke this weekend where they will look to end their poor record at the newly-promoted teams, having already lost at Hull and West Brom this season.
And Hodgson has urged his side to continue their progress.
He added: “If we are going to do anything here it will be in small steps.
“We have played 15 games, and if we can have 23 more like it then we will be OK.
“There are plenty of positives for us to be happy with, and we have to take those positives to Stoke.”
Fulham’s next three matches: Dec 13 Stoke (a), 20 Middlesbrough (h), 26 Tottenham (a)