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Coleman furious with arrogant Fulham

last updated Sunday 08th January 2006, 9:05 PM
Fulham Manager Chris Coleman

Fulham Manager Chris Coleman furiously blamed the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Leyton Orient on "arrogance" and admitted he was "absolutely gutted".

Strikes from Craig Easton and Joe Keith gave League Two Orient a two-goal lead at the break before Fulham hit back with a 50th-minute strike from Collins John.

The Barclays Premiership club looked on course to complete their fightback when Luis Boa Morte was brought down by Gabriel Zakuani and referee Peter Walton awarded a penalty.

But Orient goalkeeper Glyn Garner saved John's spot-kick to send the noisy visiting fans, who made up nearly half the 13,394 crowd, into delirium.

"The defeat was down to a sense of arrogance. There was also a lack of effort and enthusiasm. God knows where the arrogance came from because we can't afford to approach any game like that," he said.

"We did our homework on Orient and didn't changing anything in terms of preparation because we knew what a tough game it would be.

"I'm gutted, absolutely gutted. I didn't show Orient any disrespect because they're a good team who have a good manager and play good football. I showed them respect but the players didn't."

Orient boss Martin Ling

Orient boss Martin Ling revealed his side will be using a delayed Christmas party to mark their stunning triumph.

"We're having our Christmas do tonight, we told the players we'd have it after this match," Ling said.

"The chairman is picking up the tab. They deserve it and we'll let them enjoy themselves.

"They'll have lots of girls chasing after them now! They'll have a few drinks and rightly so. They're going for a meal but will be eating pasta. I'm meeting my wife and children in a local pub."

"This is a great day, probably the best in my nine and a half years at Orient. We edged them on the pitch and in the supporters department. The first half was top notch," Ling added.

"We needed a bit of luck to pull off the upset and we got that with the deflections and the penalty. We passed the ball against a Premiership side.

"No one can put the win down as a smash and grab. I thought if they'd scored the penalty they'd be odds-on to win it but when they missed it I thought we'd get home."

Orient hero Easton described the victory as the highlight of his career.

The former Dundee United midfielder, who joined Orient over the summer, produced a magnificent display to spearhead the club's charge into the fourth round.

"That was the most enjoyable game of my career and I always did well with Dundee United, getting wins over the Old Firm a few times, mainly Rangers," he said.

"It was a good day today. The way the game started I thought we did well and had a chance. We passed the ball and played to our maximum.

"We defended well when we needed to and helped each other out. We were the underdogs so we had to give it a go - that's what the manager said. He told us to enjoy ourselves.

"I know Fulham had injuries but they should have had the strength in depth to deal with us. We just went out there and tried to do ourselves justice."

Source sportinglife
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