Looking at the absolute numbers a 2-2 draw doesn’t seem too bad a result although there was controversy regarding Fulham’s penalty and an AFCB claim. We made a lightning start, scoring in the 2nd minute with Solanke knocking home a good pull back from Billing (rated just over 1 in 3). Fulham were then having control but were largely restricted to small chances until Diop headed in from a corner (1 in 7). We then scored with our second attempt, Solanke pulling the ball back to Lerma, who stroked it into the corner (1 in 12), this coming just after a strong penalty claim for Ream pulling back Fredericks was turned down. The rest of the half was fairly quiet, Mitrovic had a header (18%) and James had an effort (1 in 10), apart from a great save from Leno to deny Smith. Lerma had a first header (1 in 12) saved by Leno, who got up quickly to deny Smith from close range (57%). It was 2-1 to AFCB at the break. The second half had one big chance for each side. Fulham’s was their equaliser in the 52nd minute following the wrestling match between Mitrovic and Solanke which was awarded in Fulham’s favour. We had a header from Lerma in the 65th minute (3 in 10). The last half-hour was relatively dull with Fulham in a slight ascendancy, with an xG of 0.15 compared with AFCB’s 0.02.
We started with 4 at the back, with the full-backs being advanced of the centre-backs. Lerma was deeper than Cook, with Christie on the right and Tavernier on the left on average being near the half-way line. Billing drifted out to the left and was close to Tavernier. Anthony replaced Tavernier and played in a similar position although Zemura, who replaced Billing played in a position approaching a left winger and was almost as advanced as Solanke. Moore and Stacey are not shown on the graphic as they came on too late in the game.
Mepham had the most touches, followed by Tavernier, Senesi and Lerma. Tavernier, Solanke and Cook had the most touches in the opponent’s half, with the first two having the most in the final third.
The number of passes attempted was much lower than against Leicester, it was 268 at Craven Cottage compared with 424 the week before. Only Mepham and Cook attempted 30 or more. The completion rate was relatively low at 70% (with this bettering only Newcastle away), Neto’s completion rate was 43% with Tavernier at 50% (compared with 89% vs Leicester)
Solanke had the most aerial duels (winning 1 of 6) followed by Mepham (winning 4 of 5).
Tavernier made the most tackles (winning 6 of 7) followed by Billing (4 of 5 ) and Christie (2 of 4). No one else made more than 1 tackle.
Neto and Cook made the highest number of recoveries (9). The back four all made a large number of clearances as expected from the centre-backs. Adding together interceptions, recoveries, clearances and blocks, Senesi had the highest value (17) followed by Mepham and Lerma (both 13).
