High five for Silva as Cottagers give Terriers a mauling
MARCO SILVA could not hide his delight after five-star Fulham destroyed Huddersfield to climb to the top of the Championship table.
It is early days in the season yet.
But on this evidence the Cottagers would appear a decent bet to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
Silva was appointed as Fulham manager earlier this summer after former boss Scott Parker jumped ship to take charge at Bournemouth.
And the Portuguese boss saw his men take theTerriers to the cleaners in bizarre and controversial fashion.
But even after
£12million summer signing Harry Wilson was sent off for kicking out at Levi Colwill in the 72nd minute,
Fulham still scored twice more with
10 men.
Silva said: “We deserved the three points and were the best team on the pitch again.
“Unfortunately we didn’t get what we deserved last week against Middlesbrough, despite having chances.
“This afternoon we scored five.
“We had some luck with the first goal but we had three or four clear chances to score more.
“In the end it was afair result and the players did well.
“We controlled the game against a team who like to press really high.”
Town goalkeeper Ryan Schofield’s clumsy clearance rebounded off Aleksandar Mitrovic and into the net for the opening goal.
Josh Onomah then nodded in a second goal. But Matty Pearson headed home for Huddersfield before Fabio Carvalho rifled in a low shot to make it 3-1 to the visitors at the break.
Wilson, signed from Liverpool after a number of loan spells away from Anfield, then hit the crossbar from 20 yards before being fouled by Colwill and kicking out at him.
That sparked a melee between both sets of players.
Silva said of the red card: “I haven’t seen it again yet. “But we have to keep our emotional balance really strong.
“These type of players should be more protected in this type of football because they are suffering these tackles all of the time.
“If we don’t protect them, then who will do?”
Despite their numerical disadvantage Fulham substitute Ivan Cavaleiro produced two fine finishes in the final quarter of the game to leave Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan devastated.
After the humbling loss, he said: “Where went wrong?
“There were many things.
“We need to analyse and be self-critical because I’m focused on finding solutions to the situation.”