Fulham manager Marco Silva was pleased with the way Fulham ended the season at Craven Cottage, but was left to rue what might have been.
Just two more points would have secured us a joint-highest ever finish of seventh in the Premier League, and the Europa League berth that comes with it.
But one point from meetings with Bournemouth and Wolves coming into the season finale, meant the European dream was over for another year.
“All that frustration, we spoke in the beginning of the week, cannot take from ourselves the motivation to have to win in the best way possible, and that was the reason why the players worked hard, like is their obligation, during the week to prepare ourselves for the game against a good side,” Silva said.
“We won, and we deserved [to] – more balance in the first half, second half much more in control, sometimes not on the ball, but much more control. Go back and see how many games we had more than 20 shots, and this game is just an example.
“After the 2-0, with the moments that we had, we should have scored more goals. We should be more clinical, because it's what makes you to win football matches, what makes you to be ruthless in the league that we are playing in, the level that we are playing, against a side – and, I don't want to compare, but – when I look for their substitutions, and I see players from the XI go out, 60, 70, 80 million, and players to go in, 60 and 70 million, just speaks about sometimes the difference on the paper that is there.
“I think this afternoon was an important one. It was important to give the fans back something, and for them to have this good feeling, for us to thank them in the end of the game with a lap of appreciation, in the best way possible. And I think they really enjoyed the afternoon, and is the reason why we were working so hard.
“Overall, it was a good performance from us, a well deserved win, and we showed throughout this season that this place was really the fortress for us. The home form and the away form was completely different, for the first time in four seasons. And even in some moments that were the most decisive moments for us this season at home, we deserved something more from the games that we didn't get, and I believe the season could have been completely different, in the matter of more points for us, and competition for the European places.
“I've been telling you that the margins are so, so small at this level, and we are competing in the best league in the world, and the most difficult one, and of course all the margins and all the small details, they play always a big part.
“Seeing that we stayed out of the two or three positions above in the table, for two points or three points, and looking back… We don't need to go really back for the middle of the season or the beginning of the season, but for the last month and a half, the chances that we had here at home in some crucial and decisive games. We had everything in our hand, and for some reasons we didn't get it. It's a mix of feelings for us, but I'm here to look for all the picture, not for the small one.”