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The Tanner Report: Chelsea 1 Fulham 2

In 1963 – on Boxing Day – Fulham beat Ipswich, who were the champions the previous year, by 10-1.

63 goals were scored in the old First Division that day, one other result being West Ham 2 Blackburn 8.

Fast-forward to 1979 when Fulham last beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (2-1).

I was at that game in glorious isolation in their new stand opposite the main one.  Since then I saw George Best kicked off the park for Fulham to lose 2-0 before 55,000 and – more recently – some brave draws but never a victory.

Until yesterday. Marco Silva had copped criticism after the goalless draw last Sunday against Southampton but maintained that Fulham were going for a win against Chelsea.

We were therefore surprised that he selected 5 at the back with one holding player (Sasa Lukic).

Cole Palmer certainly enjoyed the space and it was no surprise, after he twisted and turned in the box, that he slotted the ball past Bernd Leno to give the home side the first half lead.

Fair play to Fulham, they stayed in the game but surely we would have some adventurous subs?

We waited and waited and then Harry Wilson came on.

Harry (the hero) had scored 2 late goals to beat Brentford and he also found the net yesterday with a header close to the goal to equalise.

Could Fulham win it?

Gentleman Jim McGillion, the gloriously-biased Fulham TV commentator, thought so as Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi pressed down the left passing Neto as if he was not there and reducing him to falling to the ground and claiming he had been fouled.

However, the winner in extra time came from the right when Lukic’s cross eluded the Chelsea defence and another sub – Rodrigo Muniz – netted.

I followed the match on Amazon.

As usual, the commentary – especially the analysis of female footballer Courtney – had a Chelsea bias though ex-boxing  commentator Ian Darke is fair. However, the picture was ahead of the McGullion commentary so – when Muniz scored – Gentleman Jim was berating a Chelsea midfielder for faking a head injury. I waited for the commentary to catch up. Cue unrestrained joy with Jim’s voice breaking with emotion and I swear he was crying.

Proud as I was, I was equally proud to see that Alex Iwobi had acquired a pop-up shop (Alexexpress) in Newham, where he was raised, and stocked it with food and drink etc. which he was distributing free to the good folk of Newham.

There was Alex – in his Fulham bobble hat – giving away free turkeys. He is not only a great footballer whose commitment is tireless but, more importantly, a wonderful human being.

All Fulham fans should be as proud of Alex as of our win yesterday.

 

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About Alan Tanner

After a distinguished military service in the Catering Corps, Alan Tanner did well in mufti with his chamois as a window cleaner. Sadly he had to retire after falling from the fifth floor of Danny Murphy's mock Tudor home. He spends his retirement watching and writing about his beloved Fulham whom he has supported for over 50 years. The Alan Tanner Report is sponsored by Tanner Crystal Clear Ltd, Window Cleaners to the Gentry. More Posts