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Perfect result for Fulham

last updated Monday 08th January 2001, 8:42 AM
In many ways, defeat was the perfect result for Fulham. Seven points ahead in the Nationwide First Division, promotion to the Premiership has always been the priority for manager Jean Tigana. That was the brief when chairman Mohamed Fayed was looking for a leader in the summer and it applies equally so today.

Distractions they can do without, even if a heaving Craven Cottage so wanted to prove themselves yesterday against the might of Manchester United. The most important factor for Tigana was that his side came out of this FA Cup tie with pride and self-belief intact. If, as expected, Fulham make it into the top flight, it helps to know that you aren't a million miles from the standard required.

A Worthington Cup trip to Anfield last month provided the first clue. The visitors refused to be intimidated, out-passing Liverpool for large chunks of the match before eventually succumbing to their firepower. But yesterday was the true yardstick. If Fulham could give the champions a decent run for their money - something the rest of the Premiership are finding increasingly tricky - then real optimism must exist for the future.

Tigana can rest easy. Naturally unhappy with being beaten, the Frenchman must know now that he is heading in the right direction. Fulham were as skilled and purposeful as any side United have faced this season, moving the ball about on a treacherously slippery surface with amazing precision; particularly when Louis Saha was involved.

Their downfall came from wanting, if anything, to play too much football as a short corner in the dying minutes broke down to disastrous effect. If the ending was poor, the first 15 minutes looked decidedly shaky. Struggling to find their feet, quite literally at times, it was baffling to see Fulham refuse the option of playing measured balls into the channels.

Such tactics, no doubt, are against Tigana's pure footballing principles despite the fact that Saha can outpace the best of them. The player himself resists lurking on the last line of defence, preferring instead to show short to feet, turn on a sixpence and glide away.

Try as you might, it is difficult to overstate the potential of Saha. A graduate of Clarefontaine, France's national football academy, the 22-year-old can be as good as he wants

to be in the next few years. Already the scourge of First Division defences with 21 goals, he ran at United's back four with carefree abandon and was unlucky not to gain more reward.

Tigana has cleverly used loan deals to bolster his midfield. Nicolas Sahnoun and Fabrice Fernandes - borrowed from Bordeaux and Rennes respectively - will surely be secured permanently if Fulham gain promotion. They competed manfully in an area where United habitually excel, with 21-year-old Fernandes supplying some inspirational touches.

If Fulham are to establish themselves properly among England's elite, however, it is in defence where most work needs to be done. Chris Coleman's absence after a car crash was a blow though Kit Symons stepped in and did little wrong apart from his glaring far-post miss. Nevertheless, another experienced centre-half must be towards the top of Tigana's want list. At right-back, though, Steve Finnan was sufficiently impressive to suggest he can hack it in the Premiership. Sharp and bright in possession, Finnan rarely let Ryan Giggs embarrass him.

So, with pride firmly intact, the club look towards Saturday and a match against Norwich that forms part of this season's real agenda.

Tigana probably wouldn't know it but the last time the club stood in such a dominant position was 18 years ago. Steaming towards a place in the old First Division, their form collapsed in the final third of the season and they missed promotion on the last day.

The wrong result at Derby County was further complicated by a pitch invasion, prompting manager Malcolm Macdonald to demand a replay. I remember it well since Fulham's misfortune proved Leicester's good fortune as we were awarded, after an agonising delay, the final promotion slot.

Barring an unprecedented dip in form, that kind of capitulation looks unlikely with the innovative Tigana at the helm. Bolstered by his chairman's ambition, he is certainly well equipped to take the club into uncharted waters. He might even look back on yesterday's defeat as a valuable lesson learnt.
Source sport telegraph by Alan Smith
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