Scott Parker Fulham
Scott Parker had no complaints after seeing his side well beaten at Etihad Stadium, admitting Manchester City were “just too good” against his side. Cherries fell to a 4-0 loss at the home of the champions, with first-half strikes from Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden added to by a late Jefferson Lerma own goal. The defeat extends Cherries’ losing run against Manchester City to 12 matches. Reflecting on the defeat,
Scott Parker said “The game was the game today. I think we all understand and many managers have probably sat here after a game playing against Man City and the quality that they possess. The levels were different today. We’ve played against a world class team that can execute in any given moment. I said before the game, we’re probably going to need to have 11 men with 10 out of 10 performances. We’re going to have to ride our luck. We’re going to have to take the very few chances that we’re going to get, along with every other team that comes here. They limit your chances and you’re going to have to be clinical. We didn’t manage to do that. And then obviously their quality shone through really. The first 20 minutes, after the goal goes in and then two quick goals that go in, at that point obviously you could be on the end of one. But I was pleased with the team in terms of the way they stuck with it. Showed good endeavour, good personality, were still brave and had courage, so I was pleased with that.”
Discussing the moments of magic for the opening two goals from from Erling Haaland, to set Gundogan away, and De Bruyne’s finish, Parker added: “That’s exactly it. At times today, the levels and the quality was there for everyone to see.
Scott Parker said “That’s what happens when you’re playing against a world class team and world class players really. We had our tiny little moments and then they punish you with individual brilliance and where they are as a team. I thought to a man my players gave everything they could give today, left everything out there, the difference was the qualities and levels were just too good.”
