'We have to take something' says Silva after City loss
Yesterday at 01:55 PM
Marco Silva was bitterly disappointed after Fulham went toe-to-toe with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium but came away from nothing but plaudits after a 3-2 defeat.
The Whites took the lead through Andreas Pereira and missed a hatful of chances to score more goals before a Mateo Kovacic double put them on the back foot. City substitute Jeremy Doku extended City’s lead and, although Rodrigo Muniz pulled a goal back, Silva was left to rue Adama Traore’s failure to convert three presentable opportunities.
The Fulham head coach told Sky Sports after the final whistle:
“They started the first half very well and the first ten minutes was difficult for us to adapt some things. They had more control of the game with the ball too without making lots of chances. The players executed the plan well, the way we changed some positions and moved things around a little and we started creating.
“We scored the 1-0 goal, and then they got lucky with the deflection to equalise, but before that we had a chance with Adama [Traore] to make it 2-0. The impact of a second goal in that moment would be big.
“We were really punished with the way we started the second half. We cannot concede a goal in the second minute of the half. The reaction was really good, another Adama chance 1v1 with Ederson but we didn’t equalise.
“We then had more of the ball, more control, City were getting deeper and finished the game with five at the back. We deserve credit but I am really sad with the result, proud of the performance but we have to take something.”
Silva spoke highly about a disconsolate Traore’s display – even if he couldn’t grab a crucial goal.
“It is a sad moment for him, he is really sad in the dressing room but that is football. We have to look for the reality at what happened this afternoon; it is not easy to create chances like that but he has to take some. We need to keep giving him the trust, belief and love for him to perform in the next game.”
