Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Town 2-1 Fulham
Saturday, 9th Aug 2014 19:18

David McGoldrick came off the bench to score the decisive goal as Town beat Fulham 2-1 in their opening day fixture at Portman Road. McGoldrick added to Daryl Murphy’s first-half goal in the 61st minute with Tim Hoogland pulling one back late on for the visitors.

Mick McCarthy handed Hungarian frontman Bajner his debut alongside Murphy, while Elliott Hewitt was at right midfield with Jay Tabb on the left and Luke Hyam and Cole Skuse in the centre.

At the back, skipper Luke Chambers retained his right-back position with Tyrone Mings at left-back and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the centre of the backline. Dean Gerken was in goal.

McCarthy named no defenders on a bench which included strikers David McGoldrick, Frank Nouble and Jack Marriott.

Fulham included eight debutants in their starting line-up, including £11 million striker Ross McCormack.

Despite the Cottagers enjoying most of the early possession, the Blues were first to threaten in the fifth minute. A freekick on the left was played short to Mings, who whipped over a cross but Fulham debutant keeper Jesse Joronen superbly tipped over.

After the resultant corner had been cleared, Skuse left the ball to Hyam, who hit a low shot across the face of goal and wide.

Chris David wasted a good opportunity for the visitors in the 11th minute when he scraped well wide of the post from the edge of the box after Hoogland had broken strongly from the back.

The Blues went close again in the 17th minute when Hewitt aimed a long throw from the right towards Bajner. The ball defected out to Skuse on the edge of the box and the former Bristol City man smashed a shot only just over Joronen’s bar.

There was a big scare for the Blues in the 25th minute when Gerken spilled David’s 20-yard shot. But, having made the initial error, the keeper reacted brilliantly to block Moussa Dembele’s close-range rebound.

Fulham continued to enjoy significantly more of the ball but just after the half hour Skuse again went close, this time with a looping 25-yard effort which went a couple of yards beyond Joronen’s right post.

And two minutes later the Blues went in front. Hyam won the ball and burst through the middle before finding Murphy, who left Whites centre-half Shaun Hutchinson standing as he took the ball into the area and hit a right-foot strike which beat Joronen.

Soon after the restart goalscorer Murphy curled another effort wide after good work Mings. On 37 Hyam got his name in referee Stephen Martin’s book for a late tackle on Dembele.


As the half moved into its final five minutes Town continued to threaten, the previously quiet Bajner winning a couple of Hewitt’s dangerous long throws into the area.

On 42 Emerson Hyndman misjudged a long ball down the middle, causing Hutchinson to make a desperate clearance which cannoned off Bajner which, fortunately for the home side, flew through to Joronen.

Two minutes later, after David had shot over for the Cottagers, Bajner was replaced by McGoldrick, returning to competitive action for the first time since suffering a knee injury in February.

Fulham will have counted themselves unfortunate to have gone in behind after a half which they had controlled for the most part.

However, aside from Dembele’s opportunity handed to them by Gerken’s error, the visitors hadn’t created too many chances.

Prior to Murphy’s well-taken goal, only an excellent save from Joronen had prevented Berra from opening the scoring, while Skuse and Hyam might have done better with efforts from the edge of the box.

Fulham replaced midfielder David with Thomas Eisfeld, a summer signing from Arsenal, ahead of the second half.

Late first-half sub McGoldrick was quickly into the thick of the action, cleverly finding himself space on the edge of the area but Hutchinson blocked his shot.

On 48 Hewitt blazed high from distance, having been found by Hyam, when feeding Chambers to his right would have been a better option.

Three minutes later, Fulham left back Konstantinos Stafylidis hammered a powerful strike just over Gerken’s bar, the Blues having made heavy weather of getting the ball out of their final third following an earlier attack.

The game returned to the pattern of the first half with the visitors having most of the ball but without particularly threatening Town’s lead. McGoldrick’s introduction had improved the Blues’ quality on the ball.

Three minutes before the hour mark the largely peripheral McCormack was replaced to chants of ‘what a waste of money’ from the home fans.

McGoldrick felt he ought to have been awarded a penalty in the 59th minute when he appeared to be hauled back as he looked to beat two defenders and break into the area on the left, but referee Martin was unimpressed with his appeals. A minute later, the Blues striker lashed a freekick from distance well over.

But the 26-year-old only had to wait another minute for his first goal since his return from injury.

Murphy did well to hold off Hutchinson on the left before cutting across the edge of the six-yard box towards Tabb. The ball was stabbed away from the midfielder but only as far as McGoldrick, who confidently hit a low shot into the net from 18 yards before hopping away in away in celebration.

Joronen claimed Tabb's header from the edge of the box on 69, a corner having been half-cleared to the midfielder on the edge of the box. A minute later, Anthony Wordsworth replaced Skuse in the Town midfield.

Town had been well on top since scoring their second goal but the visitors threatened to pull one back in the 78th minute when sub Patrick Roberts found Eisfeld with a clever pass, but Chambers did well to block.

Wordsworth should have made it 3-0 in the 80th minute after Chambers had tricked his way into space in which to cross from the right. The Town skipper sent over the perfect cross, but Wordsworth headed over from six yards.

Mings was booked for a foul on 81 and from the resultant freekick taken by Stafylidis the Blues’ left-back blocked from sub Cauley Woodrow. Moments later, Hyam made way for Kevin Bru, Town’s second debutant of the day.

The Mauritian international was quickly involved in the game but was caught in possession as he looked to pass as the Blues broke after a Fulham corner.

In the 85th minute, Tabb found McGoldrick with a quickly taken freekick on the left but the striker’s shot failed to trouble Joronen.

A minute later, the visitors pulled a goal back. Hoogland cut in from the right and hit a shot which deflected off Smith, past Gerken and into the net. Not long after, Berra picked up Town’s third booking of the afternoon.

The Cottagers continued to press in the closing stages with the Blues failing to settle after their substitutions. Lively sub Roberts first shot wide, then as the game moved into its penultimate scheduled minute hit an effort which fortunately for Town deflected to Gerken.

Fulham kept pushing for the equaliser during four minutes of injury time but the Blues weren’t to be denied an opening day victory.

While the visitors had had most of the ball for the much of the game, Town had created more of the game’s better chances with Murphy and McGoldrick both confidently taking their best opportunities.

Once the Blues had gone 2-0 in front, the match looked to be over - Wordsworth ought to have made it three - until Fulham’s late rally and Hoogland’s goal. But Town dug in and claimed their first three-point haul of the campaign.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse (Wordsworth 70), Hyam (Bru 81), Tabb, Hewitt, Bajner (McGoldrick 44), Murphy. Subs: Bialkowski, Henshall, Marriott, Nouble.

Fulham: Joronen, Hoogland, Stafylidis, Hutchinson (Roberts 74), Bodurov, Parker (c), Dembele, Hyndman, David (Eisfeld 46), Burgess, McCormack (Woodrow 57). Subs: Bettinelli, Rodallega. Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire). Att: 17,218 (Fulham: 1,539).


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



muccletonjoe added 19:21 - Aug 9
yeah good show all round. thought tabb played really well , possibly best ever game in a town shirt. Hyam was brilliant throughout. good start . keep it going
21

WhoisJimmyJuan added 19:24 - Aug 9
Get in! Great start, whatever the performance was like! Our 2 strikers score on day 1. Just hope none of the injuries are serious We had 4 out to start with! Wasn't at the game, were Bajner and Bru any good?
1

bring_back_Wickham added 19:24 - Aug 9
Seemed a good performance from most of the team. Think Banner didn't do enough and the Tabb-Mings pairing just did not work. But apart from that everyone was great. Murphy played well all game, Berra and Smith were solid, Skuse and Hyam were good defensively and looked good on the ball. But Mick was right, Tabb wouldn't have given away the penalty vs orient. For their goal he looked scared to make a tackle!
3

bohslegend added 19:25 - Aug 9
Yes! 3 points.
Yes! Didsy back in the team and scoring.
Yes! Murph also scored (as he regularly does).
Yes! Mick got the team selection right.
Yes! We got to see Bajner start (pity he had to come off.
Yes! Young Hewitt started and played great.
Yes! Our centre backs were immense yet again.
Yes! We beat a team that has multiple millions to spend on players like McCormack.
Yes! Jay Tabb proved MM right and loads of haters wrong.

Woah. I'm being too positive. The moaners will be on saying I'm happy with mediocrity and a mid table finish. I need to stop being so happy supporting Ipswich Town. There must be something I can have a moan about????
36

bring_back_Wickham added 19:25 - Aug 9
*bajner
0

lTFC added 19:25 - Aug 9
A nail biting last 5 minutes but what a game! Not only a great result but an excellent performance all round! Where has Murphy got this sudden burst of pace from?! My MoM.
COYB onwards and upwards!
12

boysinblue added 19:26 - Aug 9
Town always do it the hard way! Kakkin' meself at the end there. But what a result! Great start and something to build on. We'll be there or there about at the end of the season. COYB
6

Michael11 added 19:26 - Aug 9
Brilliant to start with a win. Would have taken a draw before the game so I'm very happy with 3 points. Hopefully that'll give us some confidence to go and gain a bit of momentum now!
17

TimmyH added 19:28 - Aug 9
Have to say for the majority of that match Mick's ethic of hard work over out and out quality paid off. Hewitt, Tabb, Hyam and Murphy worked their socks off, in fact an all round efficient team display.
Fulham on the other hand passed the ball well enough but with little urgency and hence not causing Town due concern until the compulsory Town final minutes wobble (we do nothing easy).
Well done all great start to the season! and welcome to the Championship Fulham!
16

Surco72 added 19:30 - Aug 9
Just for you Bohslegend. ... don't know how it happened but hats off to MM and TC for a great result and start. Absolutely delighted to be proved wrong as any town fan should, long may it continue. A few beers tonight especially for Hyam thought he was outstanding .
Come on the Town
14

bring_back_Wickham added 19:31 - Aug 9
Forgot to say, we need to play Bialowski. Gerken made yet another error that could have cost us three points. But who cares, we beat Fulham! COYB!
-5

StuartBrett8 added 19:31 - Aug 9
I thought Tabb was different class, Hewitt was fantastic, Murphy was brilliant.... everyone on the pitch was great... fantastic start :)
9

bedsitfc added 19:33 - Aug 9
Murphy and tabb different class today as was micks tactics
10

brian_a_mul added 19:33 - Aug 9
what happened to bajner? did he get injured? strange time to make a sub.
great win, its shows the that players like Tabb and Hyam will have a big part to play in our team. They give us that bit of reslilience in midfield. Great to see Hyam playing with confidence and taking the ball on.

3 pts on the board!
6

Hobbsy11 added 19:36 - Aug 9
Bajner was tired that's what mm said and great win thought tab was excellent and proved people wrong today!
6

Jon_456 added 19:36 - Aug 9
Absolutely buzzing! great result! One thing i would like to mention though is when MM mentioned last week against orient when henshall gave away a pen, he said he tabb was on the pitch that wouldnt have been a pen because he wouldnt have let him out. However on hulfams goal the player just walked past him. Not going to complain though, other than that Tabb played well just like the rest of the guys!
1

Luka added 19:42 - Aug 9
Tabb was very good, Hewitt likewise. McGoldrick looked good especially after 6months out, and Murphy was excellent - Carried on from last season. Good football, too.
9

battyblue added 19:55 - Aug 9
good win some good performances and some very ordinary ones thought Hewitt done well and didn't look out of place thought our passing and movement at times was awful two good finishes was the difference Mick nearly blew it bringing on Bru we lost midfield never mind three points in the bag well done to all.
-5

canveyblue added 19:56 - Aug 9
Good result today boys,thought we worked and battled well. Fulham will do ok this season so a great result for the Town. Would have took a point at the start but not with 5 mins left. Didn't think they deserved a point even thou they had a lot of the ball. Well done MM, TC and the lads.....Get in!
5

BlueSwede added 19:58 - Aug 9
Phew… That was a real scare. Great result though and great start to the season. Points are the most important thing now.

Nice to see both strikers score, great to have McGoldrick back on the scoresheet, superb effort by Murphy setting up the second and even better byt Hyam setting up the first. And Tabb — good and solid all game I thought apart from at the Fulham-goal — even won a header in the first half. Nice to see Hewitt do so well, Mings looked composed and Berry was excellent. Wordsworth should have killed it off with the header midway through the second, but just overjoyed here that we hung on and got the three points.

Only 135 more points to go for now…
1

Len_Brennan added 19:59 - Aug 9
Great result & some very good performances. Those who are anti-Mick & his tactics have to recognise that organisation, hard work & a great team spirit were instrumental in that result. Whether or not that'll be good enough this season remains to be seen. Delighted for Murphy that he has continued his goalscoring from last season.
The comment that stood out for me in Phil's report was that McGoldrick's introducing improved the blues quality on the ball; couldn't agree more. We did what we do well - excellent defenders & hard working midfielders - but we really do need to add someone who can put his foot on the ball, control the game more & play the strikers in through creativity as well as finding them through long balls on the break.
Encouraging to.start the.season with 3 points.
13

Luka added 19:59 - Aug 9
If you look for OldeGold's comments on the thread for the starting line up - in no way was that performance defensive, and Mings, Hewitt, Henshall, Hyam, and Marriott are not old seasoned players - there was youth AND experience. Best way to shut up doom and gloomers is to win, and we did. On to Crawley
5

runningout added 20:02 - Aug 9
Fulham were bad.... and we nearly blew it! Lets not take too much from this game, although being a good start obviously
-13

ArnieM added 20:03 - Aug 9
Fantastic performance by Town. Tabb and Hyam joint MOM for me. Hewitt class. Mings will need to up his game to hang onto LB slot. Caught up the pitch far too often and looked out of his depth in all honesty. But get TC working with him and hopefully he can kesrn quickly.

Town have done something scum wete incapable of. Beating Fulham!
6

runaround added 20:06 - Aug 9
Great result always nice to get a win under your belt in first match. Missed match as in Florida but looking forward to the Naaarrridge match upon my return
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024