In a match between two midtable teams at Craven Cottage, Fulham defeated Bournemouth 3-1 thanks to two goals from Brazil attacker Rodrigo Muniz.
In just five minutes, Bobby Decordova-Reid gave Fulham the lead as he took advantage of an error by Lewis Cook in the box. Muniz then added a goal, which manager Marco Silva said was his greatest ever for the team.
The first goal by the striker was a cunning move that he made nine minutes before halftime, stealing in front of a slow-moving Neto to double the home team’s lead.
Five minutes into the second half, Marcos Senesi, a defender for Bournemouth, cut that lead in half with a well-executed goal. However, it was Muniz who, moments later, restored the Cottagers’ two-goal lead when he headed Willian’s inviting cross to the far post.
The Cherries’ winless run in the top flight continues as Silva’s team moved above their opponents into 12th place in the Premier League standings after two recent draws. Dominic Solanke had opportunities to get his team back into the game, but this time the striker’s attention was diverted.
Fulham boss Marco Silva: “I’m really pleased for him [Muniz] and he really deserves it.
“When you have the chance, you have to step in and pop up and show your quality and it was the moment for Rodrigo to do it.
“The way he linked our game and played behind the pressure of the midfielders was really good.
“Not just him [Armando Broja], but everyone [has to be patient].
“He’s a player who is here to help us and I believe he will help us. It’s competition between strikers and I will decide what is best for us in each game.
“We believe Armando will help us in the next few months because he is a player with a profile which I think will help.”
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola: “I think we conceded too much at the beginning of the game, and that’s the main reason we didn’t get anything from today.
“I will say, after 2-0 I think the team did a lot of very good things. We arrived a lot [in their box], we created a lot of chances.
“We put them under pressure, but we conceded too much at the beginning.
“The first goal it happens – a player that slips in a dangerous position.
“But the second one we had the numbers to deal with the cross much better.
“I think we were late to react to the second balls, especially second goal.
“You can see that there are a couple of situations where they just arrive a little bit earlier, especially in this pitch where there’s not a lot of space in the middle.
“Both teams want to get on the ball, we have to be quicker to react to these things.
“The first goal is difficult to blame someone because it’s a slip, it’s so easy.
“But we have to start with more intensity.”
Fulham host Aston Villa next Saturday while Bournemouth travel to Newcastle on the same day.
Other posts by Hiresh
