MAC’S MEN ‘MURDERED’ BY WHITES
FULHAM emphatically ended their winless league run at Portman Road whilst simultaneously bringing an end to Ipswich’s 100 per cent Championship record this season.
Goals either side of half-time from Neeskens Kebano and Rui Fonte capped off a confident display against an injury-hit Ipswich side with seven firstteam players out, including three centre-backs.
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy goes into the international break knowing his side were brushed aside by Fulham, and while he concedes they were outmatched, he also hopes they can build on their good start once their injured return.
“Call the police, there’s just been a murder on the pitch,” he said. “I think sometimes you have to take your hat off to the opposition and say ‘well done’. It’s easy to criticise but we’ve had a brilliant month to get 12 points from our games.
“We’ve come up against a team that are streets in front of us with the ball and without the ball, they were just very good.
“They’ve spent a few quid and got some good players to be fair, but maybe I’ve got square pegs for round holes. I’ve had a great performance from our front four strikers and Ward, and he’s not a central midfield player, and Waghorn isn’t a wide right player, but that team had to play.
“My disappointment was that we didn’t make the most of the scant opportunities that we had, but even when we won it back we gave it back too easily.”
The Whites started with serious attacking intent against a depleted Ipswich, and the home side were soon tested. Myles Kenlock was the only thing between Sheyi Ojo and an open goal, before Stefan Johansen wasted a magnificent opportunity following a neat flick into his path from Fonte.
Martyn Waghorn saw a volley diverted wide of the target before the inevitable opener came from Kebano. Ryan Fredericks clipped over a lofted cross to the unmarked winger, allowing him to calmly head into the vacant left-corner.
The lively winger turned provider for Fonte four minutes later, but his clever flick struck the near post with Bartosz Bialkowski left standing.
It didn’t take long after the restart for the £8.3 million signing from Portugal to double the lead. Kebano’s intricate feet made room for a shot and a great diving save from Bialkowski, but Fonte smashed home a volley from a tight angle into the roof of the net, allowing the Cottagers to decrease the pace of the game for a majority of the second half.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s side had only managed three draws and a loss going into this match, and he believes that finding a way to win was crucial going into the international break.
“At the start of the season we couldn’t find a way to win the game, we could be happy with our performances, but end-product is more important,” he said.
“We go back to London with three points and this can give us a push going into the international break.
“We played a very good football match, my team dominated throughout the game, moved the ball and created the chances.
“In this competition, there are a huge number of games in front of us.
“Like other clubs we will be going up and down during the season, but I expect we will be up more than down.”