Ranieri breathes new life into Fulham as he delights in ‘emotional’ return
IT IS ONE of football’s funny quirks how a dose of a new manager can change so much in such a short space of time.
On this occasion, it was the injection of Claudio Ranieri, the likeable Italian with his endless stream of soundbites and knack for tinkering who extracted life out of Fulham.
They had suffered seven successive losses under Slavisa Jokanovic but came from behind to win here, with Aleksandar Mitrovic snarling and sniping them to victory.
It lifted Fulham off the foot of the table and their supporters left sensing all is not lost. The feeling is not mutual at Southampton.
Unfortunately for Mark Hughes, the start of one era could mean the end of another. Only time will tell if Ranieri’s first match as Fulham manager is Sparky’s last at Southampton.
The visitors are winless in nine league games and face Manchester United then Tottenham in the top flight next. Fulham, at least, arrested their own slide.
‘The emotion was high,’ Ranieri said. ‘I live for emotion. For me to come back to the Premier League is emotional. Fulham is emotional, one of the more historical clubs.
‘I have met a good family in Fulham. Fantastic character, fantastic fighting spirit. I ask just this. Never, ever give up. Work hard until the end, and at the end we’ll see the result.’
It felt like the first day of the season at Craven Cottage. The noise coming from the Fulham supporters (and, love them or loathe them, their cardboard clappers) was thunderous.
Ranieri represents a fresh start. Where chaos and confusion was par for the course under his predecessor, the Italian wants to create an atmosphere of stability.
With Mitrovic up front, they always have a chance of grabbing a goal or two.
‘For me, Mitrovic is one of the best strikers in Europe,’ Ranieri said. ‘And when I say in Europe, I say the whole world. He is only 24 years old. He is a fantastic player.’
Southampton shrugged off the home euphoria to take the lead when Nathan Redmond lobbed a high ball into the box and Stuart Armstrong smacked a low shot beyond Sergio Rico.
Fulham complained, feeling Jean Michael Seri was bodychecked by Charlie Austin in the build-up. Referee Michael Oliver reckoned it was a shoulder barge. Either way, Fulham had seen another chance of a clean sheet bite the dust, and they are the only side out of English
football’s 92 league clubs yet to secure one.
‘How s*** must you be? We’re winning away,’ sang the visiting supporters.
Not for long. Fulham hit back after 33 minutes when Maxime Le Marchand crossed and Mitrovic accepted the invitation. The Serb headed home to make it 1-1.
Fulham soon had bums off seats again. They made it 2-1 just 10 minutes later, and it was set up brilliantly by one of their own.
Ryan Sessegnon had two defenders for company but that did not deter the 18-year-old. He left them both for dead, changing direction like a slalom skier, and crossed for Andre Schurrle.
The German World Cup winner tapped in at the far post. Now it was the turn of the home supporters. ‘How s*** must you be? We’re winning at home.’
At the start of the second half, a Fulham counter-attack almost saw Mitrovic make it 3-1. Only a strong hand from Alex McCarthy denied him. Less than two minutes later, it was 2-2.
The build-up from Southampton was cute as Cedric Soares backheeled the ball to Armstrong. Twenty yards out, the £7million summer signing from Celtic curled his shot into the top corner.
Ranieri’s first league games in charge of Chelsea and Leicester both featured six goals — Chelsea drew 3-3 with Manchester United in 2000 while the Foxes beat Sunderland 4-2 in 2015.
We had witnessed four so far, and the fifth was on its way.
Shortly after the hour mark, Cyrus Christie sent a cross into the mixer. Sessegnon headed it on towards Mitrovic behind him and the striker thumped a volley into the corner from seven yards.
Once again, the decibel levels rose. Anyone taking a romantic Saturday afternoon stroll by the Thames nearby would have had the roars of thousands of fans ringing in their ears.
Fulham held on for their first win since August and their 300th in the top flight.
The Ranieri revival is on.