Grealish leaves sorry Fulham fearing worst
NO wOnder Fulham owner Tony Khan was apologising on social media seconds after the final whistle. This was Aston Villa’s second game of the season and they won’t nt have an easier one in their eir remaining 36.
defensively, Fulham were dreadful adsh, as goals from Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane and Tyrone e Mings maintained Villa’s perfect t start to the campaign.
But as clinical as Villa were, Fulham were an accident waiting to happen. Three games, no points, 10 goals conceded; that isn’t an easy y read for any manager — particularly urds one with the high standards of Scott Parker.
Yet that’s the reality. And judging ing by this most comprehensive of defeats, it is difficult to see how w it improves. Parker said: ‘we weren’t good enough, and we need to address that. we can’t give away goals like we did.’
This match was over after 15 minutes. Villa’s invention was sharp and decisive, but Fulham’s defending — as it was during their last Premier League season of 2018-19, when they conceded 81 goals — was disastrous.
The opener arrived in the fourth minute. John McGinn’s pass was on point, Grealish timed his run and he finished crisply past Alphonse Areola. It was all too easy for Villa and disappointment was etched on Parker’s face.
eleven minutes later, Fulham were 2- 0 down. Again there was plenty to applaud about Villa’s slick attacking play as Ollie watkins, Grealish and McGinn dissected Fulham before Hourihane shot beyond Areola.
The defending, by contrast, was atrocious. In apologising on Twitter, Khan also promised reinforcements before next week’s transfer deadline and revealed Fulham have missed out on four defensive targets — two of whom had contracted Covid.
After this horror show, Parker will hope Khan is true to his word. But dean Smith was, predictably, ecstatic. ‘That was a pleasing allround performance and we got the balance just right,’ said the Villa boss, whose team recorded their first Premier League away win since new Year’s day.
But he knew his team were on easy street here. If Fulham continue defending in this vein, they will be relegated.
They were lucky not to have conceded two more before the break, watkins squandering the chances. The only positive for Parker was that his team couldn’t be any worse in the second half. But they weren’t much better. It took Villa three minutes to notch their third. Mings was left unmarked to stab home Hourihane’s outswinging free-kick after denis Odoi had cynically brought down Grealish — who made a strong case to retain his place in the england squad when it is named on Thursday.
McGinn was denied the goal his display deserved in the 52nd minute, Areola saving with his feet as Villa waltzed through again. Parker could only stand and watch his team being dismantled.
even when Fulham thought they had pulled a goal back, they were left disappointed. VAr ruled Mitrovic had committed a foul before Bobby decordova-reid tapped home from emiliano Martinez’s fumble. But at least Fulham were finally showing a semblance of fight. Mitrovic headed narrowly wide, before Tom Cairney curled an effort just over.
Indeed, Parker pointed to his side’s improvement in the second half as a reason for positivity. It was too little too late, of course.
Thankfully for Fulham, it’s not too late to save their season. It soon will be, however, if there are many more displays like this. FULHAM (3-4-3): Areola 5; Odoi 5, Hector 5 (Le Marchand 58min, 5), Ream 5; Tete 5 (Kamara 39), Anguissa 5, Cairney 5.5, Bryan 5.5; Decordova-Reid 5.5 (Kebano 78), Mitrovic 5.5, Cavaleiro 5.5. Subs not used: Rodak, Onomah, Robinson. Booked: Bryan, Cairney, Cordova-Reid, Odoi, Le Marchand, Kamara. Manager: Scott Parker 5. ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Martinez 6.5; Cash 7, Konsa 7, Mings 7.5, Targett 7; Hourihane 8 (Ramsey 77), Luiz 7.5 (Nakamba 88), McGinn 8; Trezeguet 7 (Traore 84), Watkins 7, GREALISH 8.5. Subs not used: Steer,
El Mohamady, Hause, Davis. Scorers: Grealish 4, Hourihane 15, Mings 48. Booked: Targett, McGinn, Mings. Manager: Dean Smith 7.5. Referee: Stuart Atwell 6.5.