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Fulham manager Mark Hughes very happy with result

last updated Sunday 31st October 2010, 12:46 AM
Fulham manager Mark Hughes
Fulham manager Mark Hughes
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Fulham manager Mark Hughes insisted Fulham are beginning to benefit from a change in style after they swept aside Wigan 2-0 at Craven Cottage.

Clint Dempsey struck twice in the first half to complete an easy victory which has lifted the club into eighth place in the Barclays Premier League.

"We made it easy for ourselves because of the manner of our performance. From the start we were on the front foot," said Fulham boss Hughes.

"We had plenty if energy and dictated to the opposition, which is what we want to do this season.

"We're asking the team to be more dynamic this year and not concede ground as readily as they did in the past.

"We saw the benefit of that today. The guys are enjoying the type of football we're playing and we were rewarded.

"We felt that maybe we haven't been getting the points our performances deserve this season.

"We weren't worried about dropping down the table but you want to be in the top half when you wake up on a Sunday morning.

"I feel we are a top 10 side and I won't be persuaded from that."

Dempsey profited from excellent approach play from full-backs Carlos Salcido and Chris Baird.

The USA forward nodded in Salcido's cross for the opener on the half hour mark before rifling home the second, teed up by a clever pass from Baird.

"Both goals were after good passages of play. The first was an excellent goal that saw us change the focus of attack," said Hughes.

"It was a great header from Clint and the second was similar from the other side. At 2-0 we were very comfortable."

If Dempsey was man of the match, then the outstanding Salcido was not far behind him.

"Salcido is a good player - everybody could see that today. His enjoyment of the Premier League is clear. He likes the intensity and wants to be involved," said Hughes.

"He's a very experienced international who has a good understanding of the game. He's had a real impact for us.

"As an attacking threat he's come to the fore as well."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez offered no excuse for a lethargic display from his side. "That felt like our worst performance of the season and we didn't deserve anything out of it,'' he said.

"We came here with no real energy. We looked flat, couldn't get on the ball and were very weak. Fulham were sharper and brighter. It was one of those performance that we must eradicate from our season. We must make sure it never happens again.

"We had an energetic performance in the Carling Cup that took a lot from us and certain players probably couldn't cope with three games in a week. It's a been a crazy period for us and today we didn't have the strength to compete.''







































































Source Duncan Bech at PASport
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