Arsenal today failed to impress in an away match against supposedly ‘tame’ rivals Fulham with a disappointing 0-1 loss to the home side.
The away side had it all to win the game, but was without the adequate firepower when it mattered to get the ball beyond the home goalie Mark Schwarzer.
Fans at the Craven Cottage witnessed a great match, as it was the home side that took the game to their control from the start and scored the only goal of the match.
Norway defender, Brede Hangeland, hammered his first goal for the Whites, a header in response to a corner by Jimmy Bullard in the 21st minute.
After this goal, the match went on in a frantic fashion, but it was the Whites’ defense that was calm throughout. They responded with well crafted possession based moves, much to the Gunners’ frustration.
As the game progressed, the intensity of the attacks by Arsenal increased, but it was too late as the damage had already been done.
Emanuel Adebayor was too lazy in the first half, and Samir Nasri, unlike the last match, was lacking his usual touch. Robbie van Persie took five pitiful free kicks, hitting four on the wall and one well above the bar.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, in the post match press conference repeatedly pressed on the fact that his team was the ones with more determination, before praising Fulham as the better team!
Meanwhile, Newcastle United defeated Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at St. James Park much to the delight of Coach Kevin Keegan. Again, Stoke scored an upset by their 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in a nail biting encounter at Britannia Stadium.
