Fulham boss hails ‘excellent’ Taarabt

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen was delighted with Adel Taarabt’s performance in an unfamiliar lone striker role in the 4-2 defeat against Manchester City.

The Moroccan, on loan from QPR, made his first league start since the loss to Arsenal in August as a replacement for Dimitar Berbatov, who was ruled out with a groin injury.

He peppered the City goal with shots in the first half, twice forcing Joe Hart into smart saves, and then set up a goal for Kieran Richardson shortly after the break with a dynamic run and inch-perfect cross.

Meulensteen said the role suited Taarabt, who has been criticised in the past for his poor work-rate.

The Dutchman, who recently suggested he might look to cut Taarabt’s season-long loan short, said: “Where I played him was right up his street. He was excellent.

“We all know what sort of talent he has and what a creative player he is.

“That was the reason I put him in that position, because I thought he would cause City players problems and he did.

“He could have chosen different options at times [other than shooting] but I don’t mind people taking shots and being positive.

“If one of them had been in the bottom or top corner I’d have been delighted.”

Berbatov missed the match after mis-kicking a ball in training and aggravating a groin problem, but Meulensteen hinted the Bulgarian would return for the busy Christmas schedule.

He said: “We had a good look at him and assessed him in the morning but for me it was too big a risk.

“With all the games coming up I didn’t want to start him and maybe have him come off and lose him for the other games.”

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