Fulham vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Bobby De Cordova-Reid scores winner
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Arsenal squandered a chance to start 2024 at the top of the Premier League and instead were resoundingly beaten 2-1 at the hands of Fulham.
Bukayo Saka had given the visitors an early lead after less than five minutes, but Arsenal were unable to push on, and their passing which is usually slick slowed to a crawl. That allowed Fulham back into the game, first equalising inside the first half an hour through the returning Raul Jimenez before Bobby Decordova-Reid scored the winner in the second half.
Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to end a downward slump that will instead see them finish out the calendar year in fourth place, just one point above north London rivals Tottenham.
Arsenal have gone three games without a win, their longest run of the season, while Fulham showed a renewed grit and determination against the Gunners.
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FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Here is the match report:
Fulham dug deep to stun Arsenal 2-1 at Craven Cottage to inflict a second successive Premier League defeat on Mikel Arteta’s men.
Bukayo Saka scored after just five minutes but the Cottagers rallied through Raul Jimenez and Bobby De Cordova-Reid to claim all three points and deny Arsenal the chance to climb to the top of the table.
The victory eased some pressure on Marco Silva, whose side ended a run of three straight defeats.
Arsenal slump to second successive defeat as year ends with loss at Fulham
Arsenal slumped to a second-successive defeat as Fulham found renewed form
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
The Arsenal manager added: “You have to play 100 minutes in this league, it’s not enough to play a few actions and as I said it’s a really sad day because today we didn’t deserve to win the game.”
On the substitutions, he said: “I tried to change the game then for sure to create more threat but we never got going because we gave every ball away and we could not dominate the direct play, and if you cannot do that it is very difficult to generate any momentum.”
He also offered a hint to the transfer window, when asked what he needed, Arteta said: “(We need to) do what we’ve done in 19 other games, with the same players.”
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Mikel Arteta pulled no punches in his assessment of the game to Sky Sports: “We weren’t good enough, simple as that.
“We lost a game a few days ago that we thoroughly deserved to win because we were so good and today and today we were nowhere near the level.
“We conceded two very similar goals to them, after direct play we gave the ball away and the organisation in our box and set plays, our reading wasn’t good enough in attack, our purpose in defence, we were second-best in every action.”
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Rice continued: “Once we went 1-0 up, you have to push again and go for more because in this league there is no room to mess up, there are so many good teams around you and we want to be pushing at the top end of the table, so it’s a tough one to take today.
“We dominated the ball, we played some really good stuff, but again it was putting the ball in the back of the net and Fulham defended really well but it was about going out there second half and really pushing.
“We knew a win today would put us back on top and that was the message at half time. It’s two defeats in a row, it’s time to reset and go again.
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Declan Rice told Sky Sports: “Very disappointing, very tough to take, obviously not good enough from us today.
“The last two results have not been what we’ve required or been setting over the course of the season. We’ve been performing well until the last two games, especially off the back of the draw at Liverpool, we felt like we could really kick on.
“But after the last two defeats, it’s a tough one to swallow.”
On the defeats: “In the game against West Ham we had so many shots, so many chances in the opposition area and couldn’t put it away, and today - when you go 1-0 up you need to take more control, to have more self-belief and desire.
“The mentality needs to be better, we need to demand more from each other when you’re pushing at that end of the table.”
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Cairney added: “Even though we went a goal down early on I still felt like there was a belief amongst us. We were very good here, we’ve got a real feel-good factor at home.
“So it was key to get the equalising goal, it was great for morale and we kind of built on that really.”
He said: “I’m enjoying my football. It’s been an unbelievable two-and-a-half years that the manager has been here, the club has come on leaps and bounds and the last couple of months I’ve been playing good football but it’s about trying to help my teammates and we’re striving for better things.”
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Bobby Decordova-Reid said about his winner: “It’s always nice (to score) but I think today was one everyone should be proud of, the fans and everyone else.
“The true determination and grit today and we have to continue into the New Year.”
The winger added: “I think we were resilient in our shape, everyone knew what we were doing and we were working hard for each other and I thought we were very good.
“We understood how we can hurt them and thankfully for me I got the goal - right place right time. But the lads worked really hard today and deserved a victory.”
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Tom Cairney said to Sky Sports after the game: “We’ve been great at home, not so good away from home.
“We were very disappointed with the Boxing Day performance overall and we wanted to make a bit of a statement today. They’re an unbelievable side, but yeah we were on top form today.
“I think the way we reacted from going a goal behind was very good.”
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Stay tuned for all the reaction from Craven Cottage.
FT: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Full time: Arsenal did not show the form which saw them rise to the top of the Premier League. They lacked composure and at times uncharacteristically almost tried to slow the game down.
Fulham were rewarded with a return to winning ways following three successive Premier League defeats, they came from a goal behind against Arsenal, fought hard and were rewarded with a victory.
Arsenal’s struggles continue.
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