Fulham look to Europe as Reid feels the pressure

Sunderland 0 Fulham 3

St James' Park, Newcastle is an intimidating enough place to have to take your side, never mind if you are the manager of the Magpies' arch rivals, Sunderland, and your job is on the line. That, however, is the reality facing Peter Reid as he attempts to lift the morale of his side on the back of this latest woeful home defeat.

The pressure on Reid could hardly be more intense as he heads into this weekend's North-east derby on Tyneside. A midweek capitulation by the same 3-0 scoreline at Middlesbrough was hard enough for the Stadium of Light faithful to accept. Another similar performance on Saturday and there may be no way back for Reid.

Streams of spectators from a well-below capacity crowd of 35,432 were heading home long before the referee, Chris Foy, sounded the final whistle on a comfortable victory for Fulham, while those who remained voiced their frustration in no uncertain terms.

"As a manager, it's not nice, but I've had it before," Reid said. "Without trying to sound sanctimonious, I can understand them. We aren't giving them anything. From being a fortress this place, we're getting beaten and we're drawing games instead of winning, and not scoring goals.

"If they're going to have a go at someone, have a go at the manager. He's the main man and he takes the rap. All in all, it's up to us to give them something."

Sunderland were sunk by goals from Junichi Inamoto, Barry Hayles and Steve Marlet, but it was more the manner of defeat which concerned Reid as their shortcomings were thoroughly exposed.

"I thought we started all right and knocked it about well, had a couple of chances and didn't take one," Reid said. "They scored and then there was an anxiety in our play and a lack of confidence."

The Fulham manager, Jean Tigana, was delighted with his team's display, cementing as it did an excellent start to the season which he is hoping will make European football a regular occurrence for the club.

"The target is to play in the European Cup next year also," he said. "We've started this year and next year also – that's the target. But I said that two years ago when I started. I said my target was to play in the European Cup because all my life, I've played in the European Cup. That is my passion."

Whether or not Tigana realises his dream remains to be seen, but if his team continues to blend their undeniable skill with an impressive work-rate, they will win more games than they lose.

"We had very, very good organisation and very good spirit, and this is not the first time," he said. "Since the start of the season, we've worked very well and had good spirit as a team to come back against Middlesbrough and against Tottenham. It's most important for me to keep this spirit."

Goals: Inamoto (34) 0-1; Hayles (54) 0-2; Marlet (78) 0-3.

Sunderland (4-4-2): Sorensen 4; Wright 4, Bjorklund 4, Babb 4, Gray 5; Piper 6, Reyna 4, McAteer 5 (McCann 5, 56), Butler 4 (Quinn 4, 56); Stewart 4, Flo 4. Substitutes not used: Macho (gk), Bellion, Williams.

Fulham (4-4-2): Van der Sar 6; Ouaddou 6, Knight 7, Goma 7, Brevett 7; Legwinski 6, Davis 6, Inamoto 7 (Collins, 85), Malbranque 6; Marlet 7, Hayles 6 (Sava, 76). Substitutes not used: Taylor (gk), Melville, Stolcers.

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside) 6.

Bookings: Sunderland: Gray, Wright. Fulham: Brevett, Hayles.

Man of the match: Inamoto.

Attendance: 35,432.