The Tanner Report: Arsenal 2 Fulham 1

Fulham have never won at Highbury, nor the Emirates, and – despite having taken the lead on the hour – I was never confident we would.

We played with resilience in dealing with everything that a pacy Arsenal could throw at us.

It took a wicked deflection ( why are all deflections wicked?) off the otherwise faultless Tosin and a goalmouth scramble for Arsenal to win with only 6 minutes remaining.

I was proud of Fulham’s organisation against the league leaders and left the Emirates stadium confident that, unlike our last 2 seasons in the Premier, we will avoid relegation.

Watching the game as the guest of an Arsenal chum, I was more Gunners-orientated and they are a fine side now.

Martin Odergaard was the best player on the pitch and the fluent, fluid movement of the team is redolent of Arsene Wenger’s sides at their best.

A Fulham friend predicted a spanking but this was no easy Arsenal victory as Leno and the back four in front of him were resolute.

To add to the Television versus Attendance debate, I did not pick up the deflection – nor the referral to VAR – of the possible handball for the Arsenal winner.

Conversely, there was a great atmosphere at the Emirates.

There was no “taking the knee” but I saw a significant number of Caribbean fans around us which says more about integration than Black Lives Matter will ever do.

The referee Jarred Gillett, in his first season, was poor.  Peter Bankes, referee at the Fulham v Brentford game, was also a rookie.

I’m wondering if VAR is making the new crop too apprehensive.

Fulham have another derby at Spurs next Saturday and Chelsea at home on the 10th September.

Next Tuesday we play Brighton at home.

Whilst we must show the same resilience for Spurs and Chelsea, Brighton – currently third n the table – will be the more crucial.