MR WONDERFUL Ranieri the burger king but chips are down for Sparky
BIG MACS all round. And it could be the first of many visits to the famous Golden Arches if the new Fulham manager produces more miracles.
Claudio Ranieri returned to the Premier League, having promised Fulham players a trip to McDonald’s as reward for the wins they need to start their top-flight recovery.
He lifted the gloom in his first match in charge but cast a shadow on Mark Hughes’ future at Southampton.
Saints now haven’t won in nine league games and even the fans are turning against the manager, singing ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’.
The visitors fought hard, but the simple fact is they are in freefall and Hughes said: “It’s frustrating for all. I did not expect to be where we are at this stage of the season. People always question you when results go against you.
“I have been in this game long enough to accept that. We will get it right. A lot of stuff we did today was good.”
Ranieri was a delighted man. “It’s a small step but an important step,” he beamed.
He was full of praise for striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose two sublime goals lifted Fulham off the bottom of the table.
He said: “Mitrovic is one of the best strikers in Europe, and when I say Europe I also mean the world. He is only 24, a fantastic player.”
Ranieri, football’s impact manager, showed there’s more magic to come as Fulham hit back from a goal down for their first win after seven defeats on the spin.
The Italian rarely stays long at a club – this is his 18th – but he also rarely leaves without memories. He said: “It was an emotional day. I’m happy.
“This was an important match for everyone, but I always believe. I said to my players to fight to the end.
“We made mistakes and need to tighten up but we will learn.”
Now it’s former clubs Chelsea and Leicester on the horizon, and more miracles?
Ranieri arrived to a tremendous roar, strutting across the pitch to his dugout like a gladiator from his native Rome. He left being hailed as an emperor. Yet Fulham started like nervous kittens. They often passed rather than take chances.
In contrast, Southampton were aggressive, powerful, inventive, more comfortable playing out of defence.
It wasn’t a shock when they took an 18th-minute lead. Nathan Redmond latched on to Matt Targett’s throw-in and somehow scooped the ball from the by-line, looping it into the heart of Fulham’s defence.
Maxime Le Marchand tried to head clear but Stuart Armstrong reacted first, muscling in to fire home from 12 yards. Fulham finally produced the kind of football that wooed the Championship last season in the 33rd minute, stringing together a quality move that led to the equaliser.
A swift break upfield finished with skipper Tom Cairney spraying the ball wide and Le Marchand crossing for Mitrovic to delicately head into the net – his first goal in 585 minutes.
Then came more quality. Ryan Sessegnon produced the form that caught the eye last term, dribbling his way past Saints defenders and crossing for Andre Schurrle to put Fulham ahead in the 43rd minute.
Southampton’s response was a second goal from Armstrong, who picked up a clever 54th-minute Cedric Soares backheel to score.
Mitrovic settled it when he volleyed home in the 63rd minute from the impressive Cyrus Christie’s cross.