Fulham pull off superb win over Arsenal
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
Goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby De Cordova-Reid ended a run of three successive defeats for Fulham and dealt a serious blow to Arsenal’s title hopes.
Arsenal opened the scoring after just four minutes, Bukayo Saka tapping home inside the six-yard box after Martinelli’s curling effort was parried by Leno straight to the feet of the England international.
Fulham responded well to the early setback and deservedly drew level just before the half hour mark. Calvin Bassey’s tackle on Saka in Fulham’s half set the hosts on their way, with Tom Cairney’s cross from the left met by Jimenez who fired low and hard past David Raya.
As the second half began, Fulham threatened on the break and belief began to grow around Craven Cottage. Fulham’s confidence was rewarded on the hour mark after De Cordova-Reid poked home from inside the six-yard box as multiple Arsenal defenders failed to clear Willian’s corner kick.
As Arsenal chased the game, it was Fulham who looked more likely to score, with substitute Andreas Pereira crashed a curling free kick off the crossbar late in the game.
Only Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest had conceded more goals since the October international break than Fulham, but they limited Arsenal to just one clear cut chance in the second half when Saka blazed a volley from inside the box over the bar.
Fulham sit 13th after the upset win, nine points ahead 18th placed Luton and only four points off Chelsea in 10th place.
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Tosin, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney (Reed 90+3); Iwobi (Pereira 70’), De Cordova-Reid (Diop 79’), Willian (Wilson 79’); Jimenez
