The Tanner Report : Fulham 4 Burnley 2

So Fulham, after an iffy start to the season, are up and running with our first three points. Played in appalling conditions of driving rain, we produced a sparkling performance in which Andre Schurrle, Jean Michel Seri and Alex Mitrovic vied for man-of the-match.

I was most impressed by Andre Schurrle who from first to last attacked purposefully and positively. On another day he might have had a hat trick.

The official line taken in the programme was that it takes times to gel.

Yes, but each game it’s a new starting eleven, this time 5 fresh faces after Tottenham last week – Bettinelli, Odoi, Luciano Veotti, André Schurrle and  Kevin McDonald. Gareth Southgate was there, reputedly to cast his eye on Ryan Sessegnon, but the 18 year old starlet was on the bench and did not get on the pitch until the closing minutes.

Coach Slavisia Jokanovic remained faithful to his passing game and throughout the movement was excellent.

Seri opened his account in 3 minutes with a superb 25 yarder right in the corner.

Lapse defending when Le Marchand lost the ball and the back four was slow to deal with Hendrick resulted in the equaliser.

2 well worked headers from Alex Mitrovic, the first from a clever cross from Tom Cairney, the second from a well placed one from Vietto, once more this restored the lead.

I felt confident that even though Burnley pulled another back there was not enough in their tank to get another.

In fact it was Schurrle who had the hit the bar in a strike reminiscent of the wonder goal scored by Rodney March against Hereford who opened his account to make it 4-2 when Mitrovic’s drive came thudding off the post.

Now we have a Caribou Cup match against Exeter to break in more new signings notably Alfie Mawson from Swansea. He and one of the heroes of last season,Tim Ream, should comprise the central defence. Joe Bryan has made the left back position his own but I was less convinced by Tim Fosu-Mensah on the right. He seems to be one of those frustrating players who cannot tie up his collective game. If he used his pace to get clear then the resulting cross was poor.

André Anguissa has pace and power in midfield and will probably in time be preferred to Kevin McDonald but Tom Cairney’s injury was worrying. That is the point about a big squad, sooner or later  injuries and suspensions kick in so you need cover .

It’s not really my brief  to comment on Burnley. I would say though how impressed I was by Sean Dyche, always on the edge of his technical area giving instructions and directing play. In James Tarkowski from Brentford he has signed an excellent defender.  It takes skill to identify a championship player that is premier quality.

David Moyes at Everton was especially good at this, signing Joelen Lescott from Wolves, Phil Jagielka from Sheffield United and Tim Cahill from Millwall.    Burnley’s first venture in Europe for 50 year might prove more of a hindrance than a benefit.

Next Saturday’s game at Brighton will be instructive. The Seagulls are formidable at home but we generally play well against them though not always getting the result.