The Tanner Report: Fulham 0 Burnley 2
The big story was neither Fulham, nor Burnley, but Rebecca Welch – the first woman referee to officiate a Premiership match.
She did so unobtrusively which is the best compliment you can pay her.
In a first half which Fulham dominated she had to sort out a questionable hand ball in a goalmouth melee and did so correctly.
As for Fulham, I can only quote Harold Wilson’s famous dictum that a week is a long time in politics. For politics read football.
On Tuesday Fulham won a heroic shoot-out at Everton, hoping for Middlesbrough in the semi-final of the Carabou Cup.
In fact we got the worst possible draw – against Liverpool – with the second leg at Craven Cottage when we lose Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi to Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations, though – to be fair – Liverpool will not have Mo Salah.
Then we have lost Raul Ramirez for 3 games redcarded after a grotesque challenge at Newcastle, highlighting our striker deficiency.
The latest disaster was to lose yesterday to lowly Burnley.
The team seemed flat after the Everton victory though credit to Burnley, who took their 2 chances well and enjoyed vociferous support.
At least Rebecca Welch will recall the match well.
