I had a fan ask to kiss my foot after scoring Wembley winner

TOM CAIRNEY EXCLUSIVE

ARSENAL will have to beware of the most kissable left foot in football if they want to extend their winning streak against Fulham today.

Tom Cairney’s dominant foot shot the Cottagers into the Premier League when he scored the winning goal against Aston Villa in the Play-Off Final.

And so revered is it by the Craven Cottage faithful that one fan even asked if he could plant a smacker on it during pre-season.

“That was one of the most weird moments in my life,” said Cairney, laughing. “I thought he was going to ask for an autograph, but he asked if he could kiss my foot. I let him.

“I don’t know how many times I watched the goal in the summer when I was a bit bored on holiday.

“To score the winning goal at Wembley, that is every boy’s dream.

“To get the club up in the richest game in football, what the game is worth for everyone, being Fulham’s first Wembley goalscorer – all those little things just add up.

“At the time, you’re riding the wave, then you sit back and think about it. It was just a magical day.

“I’ve got a few pictures up in my house – pictures of the goal and lifting the trophy.

“They’re easy presents, but good presents, from the family.”

The euphoria of Fulham’s achievement abides, but the stark reality of how difficult life is in the Premier League is also hitting home.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s side have won just one of seven games – against Burnley – and today they face a team who have won five successive league matches and are getting their groove back under boss Unai Emery.

Cairney, who made 11 topflight appearances for Hull during the 200910 season, said: “The biggest difference from the Championship is the pace and power of most teams.

“I was 18, 19, when I last played in the Premier League and I took it a bit for granted back then. You think, ‘Oh, this is going to be me all my career’, but it’s nothing like that. It has taken me nine seasons to get back. “I was at Blackburn as well and it has been a long way back, but I’m happy to be here. I just need to get fit.” The Fulham skipper, 27, started the first three games, but suffered an ankle injury against Burnley and only returned against Everton last week as a substitute. He is pushing for a starting place today and would love Arsenal to have a Europa League hangover after facing Qarabag on Thursday.

He added: “In the Championship, when we were travelling back on a Tuesday night and playing Saturday, it wasn’t easy, it did take it out of you a little bit, so coming back from Azerbaijan is not going to be easy.

“We played Burnley the Sunday after they were in the Europa League and won, so, hopefully, that’s a good omen.”

Jokanovic’s (left) side have been criticised for being too open at the back. And Cairney said: “We’ve got to believe in the way we play and stick to our guns. But, at the same time, when we play against the likes of Manchester City, we know we aren’t going to dominate possession.

“We’re not naive, so we have to adapt. Against Arsenal as well because they have some serious threats going forward.

“But, if we’re going to start getting some results, it needs to start with clean sheets and that’s what we’re going to focus on from here on.”