Fulham vs Ipswich Review

Lineups

Fulham Lineup

Ipswich Lineup

First Half:

Fulham started the game much better, with Tom Cairney having the best chance, blasting a volley a bit over the bar. After another four minutes of Fulham dominance, Stefan Johansen's shot cannoned off the defender, giving Fulham a corner. Off of a Sessegnon cross, a goal saving header by the Ipswich center-half preventing Fonte from scoring. Sessegnon had a beautiful cutback to Ojo who looked certain to score, but Ipswich were able to block the attempt behind for a corner. On their first real spell of possession, Ipswich had a corner which was headed clear and a Grant Ward volley was turned just outside the post by Time Ream, with David Button stranded. Ojo cut inside on his left foot and unleashed a stinging effort on goal, but Bialkowski was on call to save. Off of a corner, Fredericks struck an effort than nicked off of the outside of the post. Good spells from Fulham and Ipswich only culminated in the first card of the game, a yellow for Iorfa. A shot from Tom Cairney trickled in front of the keeper but neither Fonte or Sessegnon could get to it. Straight off that chance, Ojo put a ball back to Johansen who slotted it to Kebano who returned the favor with a beautiful backheel, but Johansen's effort was saved well. Fredericks had a good amount of space and delivered a beautiful cross onto the head of Kebano who made no mistake, 1-0. A pass across goal was fumbled by the left back, but Fonte was nowhere to be seen. A cross from Sessegnon found Fonte who was tumbling due to a challenge from behind, and Fonte could on hit the post, much better from Fulham. Joe Garner has been suckering the referee into multiple undeserved freekicks, referee should do better.

Fulham FC

Second Half

Five minutes into the second half Rui Fonte opens his account for Fulham, a shot from Kebano was well saved, but Fonte blasted an incredible effort into the roof of the net from an incredibly tight angle. The whole Fulham team has started the second half well. Fredericks lined up an effort from outside the box, but it went over. Ipswich made the first two subs of the game, Celina for Sears and Down for Waghorn. Fulham have continued to put a good amount of pressure on Ipswich as we look to build on our two goal lead. Another 5 minutes of back and forth play from the two sides, Ipswich aren't looking dangerous. Due to some groin discomfort, Aboubakar Kamara went off for Rui Fonte. 5 minutes later, Neeskens Kebano went off for Oliver Norwood. In the 89th minute, Dennis Odoi came on for Stefan Johansen. Kamara has looked better in this showing than previously, hopefully a sign of things to come. Final Whistle.

Fulham FC

Three Points

1. Defense was rock solid: Ream, Kalas, Sessegnon, and Fredericks were all superb, and with the cover from kevin McDonald, we can keep a clean sheet against anyone in the league if we play like that every week.
2. Fonte is a class player: His movement is truly fantastic, and he has a great first touch. Ojo seemed to be pushing him out on the wing a little too much, but Fonte was still impressive.
3. We don't rely on Aluko: Ojo came in after a poor performance vs Bristol Rovers, but he left that behind him today. His performance was superb in every aspect, and he could have bagged a goal on another day. Kebano had a great game too, scoring the opening goal and creating many chances. If we can get 6 million for Aluko, and reinvest that into a third, class center half, I would do it after today, assuming we need to sell Aluko to afford the center back.