Fulham coach Marco Silva was disappointed that Fulham do not have more to show for their efforts at Selhurst Park. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was Crystal Palace’s star performer in our goalless draw, leaving Silva frustrated that we couldn’t find the breakthrough that our play merited.
Marco Silva said: “I think overall, during the game, we were the team that created more chances to win. I’m pleased with the performance, we just have to be much more effective in our attack when we’re arriving in certain areas of the pitch. But when you come here, when you play away from home, and we create at least three clear chances to score, we took many positives from this game. We showed character, personality as a team to come to play in our way, in a tough place to play, it’s always really tough to play here. And most of the moments, we were in control, we didn’t give many [chances] for them, apart from one good transition after a throw-in when they won the ball and the ball arrived on the edge of the box for Eze, he shot from the edge of the box. I don’t remember another chance from them.”
Johnstone’s best save came in the first half when he denied Raúl Jiménez a first goal in black and white, while he also kept out Willian late on, after another opportunity had passed us by following Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s high press.
Marco Silva said: “We had the very good one from Raúl first half, good save from the goalkeeper,” Silva stated. “Last minutes from Willian the same, very good moment from ourselves. And probably the most dangerous moment with the three against two that we had with Bobby, Raúl and Andreas Pereira. We have to score that goal, a three against two, offensive transition that is part of our week, every single week. Unfortunately for us, we were not able to score. Overall, I think we did control really well everything from Palace, even when they changed to 4-4-2, I think we were strong enough with good organisation. Very good work from our two midfielders and our two central defenders. Good work from our two full-backs, as well. I think, overall, we were the best team on the pitch and deserved three points. Even if the game was balanced, the team that created more was ourselves.”
Kenny Tete was absent from the game, but Silva hopes to have him back available sooner rather than later.
Marco Silva said: “I said before the match that he is injured. A small problem in his groin in the last game against Luton. He didn’t work all the week, the first day he felt again the same. It’s nothing serious, really. I think he will come back quick, but he was not available for the match.”
