Fulham got this pre-season friendly underway
in the picturesque town of Le Touquet under perfect footballing conditions.
The large travelling contingent of Fulham fans were treated to their first
look at new goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, as the former Ajax and Juventus
man took the field for the first time.
Fulham were first to settle down to their normal passing style, with Espanyol
looking to take advantage of their short periods of possession with some
counter-attacking football. Even though the Whites were having the best
of the open-play situations, with strikers of the quality of Tamudo and
Francisco Palencia facing them, no defence could rest easily.
On 12 minutes, Espanyol’s deadly-duo combined to give the Spanish side
the lead. Palencia was able to find space behind Rufus Brevett, which allowed
him to cross for Tamudo to give Van der Sar no chance. 1-0 Espanyol.
Whilst Fulham were dominating in terms of time on the ball, territorially,
the Spanish side were in no danger as much of Fulham’s possession was
in their own half.
With Espanyol looking to break quickly, Fulham were constantly aware of
the dangers which Tamudo and Palencia possessed – as a result, Fulham
were unable to press their opponents further up the pitch.
The Spanish side soon doubled their lead on the half-hour mark through midfielder
Antonio Velamazan as Espanyol, once again, broke through Fulham’s left
and crossed in for the former Exremadura man to nod home.
As the half-time break approached, Fulham failed to make any inroads into
the Espanyol defence. Whilst the Spanish side were looking to play incisive
balls through Fulham’s ranks, the Whites were struggling to build up
any significant momentum.
The second-half started without any changes for Fulham.
Andy Melville almost pulled a goal back early on as he got on the end of
a Steed Malbranque free-kick, but his header failed to find its target.
Sensing that the Spanish side were there for the taking if approached properly,
Fulham began to play with more purpose.
On 50 minutes, Fulham again came close to hitting the net as Malbranque,
Collins then Brevett combined to force a spectacular save from the Espanyol
‘keeper Argenso.
Whilst there was no doubt that Fulham were producing a far better performance
in the second-half, Espanyol were still looking to stifle the Whites with
some highly questionable tactics.
With Fulham very much on the ascendancy, Barry Hayles, in the 52nd minute,
gave his side a foot in the door as he latched on to a superb ball from
Andy Melville. The former Bristol Rovers hitman made no mistake upon breaking
clear, and fired past Argenso to make the score 2-1.
As the second-half progressed Fulham appeared to have ridden out Espanyol’s
spoiling tactics and were looking to score the equaliser. With Malbranque
swinging in a series of dangerous set-pieces and Fulham looking a far more
effective attacking unit, it looked like only a matter of time before the
Whites were going to score the leveller. Unfortunately for Fulham, the final
whistle arrived before a goal.
The Fulham fans who made the trip to France will no doubt be disappointed
at the final result. Although the second-half showed how dangerous a side
Fulham can be, as Espanyol barely hung on to their lead.
Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Brevett, Goma, Melville (Symons 80),
Davis (Ouaddou 56), Malbranque, Clark, Collins (Boa Morte 56), Hayles, Saha
Subs Not Used: Goldbeak, Stolcers, Knight, Trollope, Taylor, |