Fulham

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Most of the time it is not that big a deal if you go into the international break having just lost a club game if I am honest, as teams lose games frequently.

That is just the life of a professional footballer. You have to be able to cope with disappointment as an individual and as a team.

‌Admittedly, players will sometimes say that they want another domestic game quickly, but it is almost always specifically after a 'bad' defeat as opposed to just a run-of-the-mill loss.

‌However, if the team has genuinely played terribly, or lost a game they were expected to win comfortably, you will commonly hear the phrase "we want to have a chance to get back out there and put it right quickly".

‌Players who have had a stinker, even if their team won, might also want to get out again as soon as possible to put it right in front of their fans, or 'reset'. The 'reset' argument is just current football jargon to say, "we will try to get it right next time, and we blew it this week, sorry".

‌The international break can also have the beneficial effect of taking your mind away from a bad defeat. This is not to say that you don't care, it is just that you must compartmentalise your thoughts and feelings. Footballers are among the best at this.

‌You simply cannot go to play for your national team and spend the time brooding about what happened against Brentford last week. That way lies madness and another poor performance, only this time in front of the entire nation.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

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Manchester City have responded to the Premier League's confirmation that the club has been found guilty of breaching 115 financial rules.

City have until Friday to appeal the decision but in a statement said: "Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.

"The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.

"The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted. Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe.

"The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.

"The club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete."

• Get more on the story

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Manchester City arranged "sham contracts" with a number of its commercial partners as part of a scheme to disguise secret funding of more than £830m, the Premier League says.

The League confirmed that City have been found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

An independent commission found that, during that time period, the club arranged the "sham contracts" as well as "relying on sham agreements to artificially inflate the club's revenues and reduce its costs".

The club continues to deny any wrongdoing and has until Friday to appeal.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade.

"It also vindicates the Premier League's decision to pursue this case against Manchester City. While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently.

"It is a key responsibility of the Premier League to ensure that the Rules, approved by the clubs themselves, are upheld to protect the integrity of the competition. It is paramount that the League remains competitive and fair for all clubs and for the fans. We take that role extremely seriously.

"This disciplinary case, and this decision, are the most significant in Premier League history. There are elements of the case that remain to be decided, including, importantly, what sanction must follow for these breaches. Now we have the Commission's decision, we are committed to moving swiftly through the remainder of the process, to provide certainty for the League, our clubs and fans."

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Unbelievably, sensible and well-informed people are seriously discussing Manchester City getting a huge points deduction or being demoted or kicked out of the English leagues completely.

‌There is also reasonable talk about them being sued by just about every other major club in the domestic game, and a few beyond that. That is before you get to the concept of titles being stripped and trophies retrospectively re-awarded to others.

There is still an appeal to be heard, but they have been found guilty already. Serious consequences must be considered. Following the draconian punishments handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest, among others, City might find they don't just have the book thrown at them, it is the entire British Library lobbed in their general direction.

Those other clubs cooperated in the process. City have faced more charges and they involve larger sums and over a longer time period. In short, things are not looking good for the club that dominated English football for almost a decade.

This may be the biggest story in the Premier League's history and it is going to run and run.

Other serious considerations will follow hard on the heels of the Blues' dilemmas – specifically what long-term effects will this have on the Premier League? They will not all be good ones.

Some reasonably argue that the financial rules City have been found to have broken shouldn't have been put there in the first place. They were brought in to safeguard the financial security of the clubs and the league, but try telling that to many City, Everton and Nottingham Forest fans just now.

Newcastle and Aston Villa have plenty of financial backing, but these rules have hurt their ability to grow and stay competitive with the legacy clubs. This all feels unfair if you are a supporter of those two.

The money that will now be frittered away by the English game on lawyers and legal fees is eye-watering, and it will grow exponentially as the litigation increases.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

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We asked you to rate Fulham's start to the Premier League season and tell us what Alvaro Arbeloa should be focusing on during the extended international break.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: It's been a bad start, there's no getting away from that. The three games after the international break are massive; seven points from them and suddenly we can start to look forward to another good season. But, if we keep making defensive mistakes, conceding late and losing by the odd goal, then I suspect Mr Dyche may be getting a call in November.

James: Worried. Our highly talented squad really needed this break to work together. We need at least one more striker. Next few games are must wins.

Robert: Think Arbeloa has been very naive in his approach in the first games -hopefully he is learning on the job but the performances of the three promoted sides has increased the need to get at least six points from the next three games against them to propel the team forward. If we don't win any of them I cannot see him surviving.

Quinn: It's been difficult. Playing well, just not enough bite or resilience. Hopefully the break will allow everyone time to reflect and come back stronger. I'm not going to criticise any individuals because I don't think it helps and feels demoralising. Just hope 'we' can find solutions and get some crucial points over our next three games.

Rohan: I feel as though, while the results may not reflect it, Fulham are showing real signs of promise and growth in the early stages of Arbeloa's reign. We now have a solid squad and, if Garcia Gonzalo starts performing we could start getting some good results.

Duffy: It was always going to be tough start with an inexperienced manager, new young players and no easy games. But the gamble could pay off, there are real signs of promise - for example, Josh King is now blossoming into a top-class player. Let's hope we get the results we deserve when season restarts.

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Fulham fan Lorraine Hughes says supporters "are much happier than they were" after an improvement in performances in recent weeks.

The Cottagers lost their first three league matches under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa but have rallied with draws against Liverpool and Manchester United.

"Fulham had one of the hardest opening runs in terms of fixtures so it was always going to be a tough time for us, especially with a new manager and new recruits to bed in," Hughes told BBC Radio London.

"Arbeloa wants to play exciting, attacking football with a high press - which is great - but he has learned quickly that this can't be at the expense of an effective defence.

"It has looked like we've turned a corner, though, with consecutive draws against Manchester United and Liverpool, and a good win in the cup against West Ham.

"Arbeloa has the balance right now. He has shored up the defence with a much- needed pacy centre back in David Affengruber in place of Joachim Anderson. He has figured out the right combination for our defensive midfielders in Sander Berge and Shea Charles. He has got Alex Iwobi back in the attacking, free-roaming role that suits him. And he has Josh King playing out of his skin.

"We are creating a lot of chances but we need to be more clinical. But, it's all work in progress and fans are much happier than they were."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

As we enter the season's first international break, we want to hear your thoughts on the opening five games of the Premier League.

It has been a difficult start to life under Alvaro Arbeloa and Fulham sit second bottom without a win going into the extended break.

However, there have been signs of life - and greater stability - in the last two games, which ended in creditable draws against Liverpool and Manchester United.

How do you rate the Cottagers' start to the season and why? And what should Arbeloa be focusing on during the extended break?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Fulham and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Jeremy: A young team learning their trade. So close to a memorable win. Calvin Bassey/David Affengruber are building a great pairing. Joachim Andersen is causing us issues, after a great few years. Let the youngsters loose with Bernd Leno and Alex Iwobi.

Gordon: We played really well. Once we made the last substitutions, we set up to defend and that was our mistake. If we had taken Josh King off but replaced him with Emile Smith Rowe, we might have kept them more at bay and held on for the win. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. The team and manager should be proud of the performance but keep chins up and make sure our next game is as good. Keep the faith.

Keith: Have been a Fulham fan since 1974 with all the ups and downs. Can any Fulham fan please tell me why it seems we cannot defend a lead and concede so many late goals? Surely it must frustrate many Fulham fans and not just me.

Hillary: Just bad luck for the London boys. They were resilient and put pressure on the Red Devils - a draw wasn't bad, though.

Man Utd fans

Nigel: That was difficult to watch. Slow, laboured build-up with too many square and back passes. Once United reached the final third, the forward momentum halted and the ball inevitably went back or square. None of the forwards are producing the goods. It is clear to me that the starting eleven are a collection of individuals not yet gelling as a team. Michael Carrick must find a solution to that over the international break.

Peter: We learned that this team is not tactically good enough to do what we expect. Is it the players? Or the management team? Is it the owners? Is it all three? Whatever it is, this must be resolved sooner rather than later. With the Champions League looming, this could be embarrassing!

Mohammad: This team is disjointed with no leadership on the field. A bits-and-pieces team with lack of effort and lack of teamwork. You cannot score goals with nobody in the penalty area. Trying to do too much meaningless passing with every position, not performing to Premier League standards, whether it's the goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, or nothing going forward.

Mike: How have Manchester United gone from beating Manchester City, Arsenal and getting into top four after a rough start last season... to this mess again? They don't look like they have the desire. Same man in charge but a completely different looking team?

Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham are among several Premier League clubs monitoring 24-year-old Venezuela and Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu. (Teamtalk), external

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Fulham starting XI:

Bernd Leno: On his toes to make an early save from Lisandro Martinez and scrambling when Matheus Cunha's effort looped onto a post. Denied Bryan Mbeumo with a full-length save. 7

Timothy Castagne: Booked for bringing Marcus Rashford down as Manchester United broke in the second half. 6

David Affengruber: Excellent defence-splitting pass to release Josh King, but he couldn't finish. Exceptionally fortunate to escape after being outwitted by Matheus Cunha close to the goalline but stepped in to take the ball off Bryan Mbeumo as he looked to counter. 7

Calvin Bassey: Not the easiest game positionally as Manchester United played without an orthodox centre-forward. Got forward to create Fulham's goal. 7

Antonee Robinson: Pushed into advanced areas in the inside forward position, which caused the visitors a defensive issue. 7

Sander Berge (Off, Larsson 76): Shot from the edge of the area turned away by Senne Lammens. 7

Shea Charles: Midfield partnership with Berge key in protecting Fulham defence when the visitors had extended spells of possession around the home area. Passing let him down on occasion. 6

Oscar Bobb (off Kevin, 70): Rolled an effort just wide of the post and probably should have done better. 6

Josh King (off Andersen, 79): Always looking to get on the ball and threaten. Took a good save from Lammens to deny him at the far post and his shot across goal was going in without the visitors' keeper kicking it away. Blotted his copybook by getting booked for diving. 8

Alex Iwobi (off Palacios, 70): Also tried to exploit the inside left channel when Fulham went forward. Low cross almost created a chance for Gonzalo Garcia and another deep one did for King. 7

Gonzalo Garcia (off Muniz, 79): Half a stride away from having a tap-in from an Iwobi cross from the left. 6

Fulham substitutes:

Palacios (on 70, Iwobi): Kept Fulham ticking over. 6

Kevin (on 70, Bobb): Settled in well. 6

Larsson (on 76, Berge): 6

Muniz (on 79, Garcia): 6

Andersen (on 79, King): 6

Subs not used:

Lecomte, Manuel Angel, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

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Following three consecutive losses to start the season, Fulham might not have been thrilled to see a trip to Anfield and the visit of Manchester United as their next fixtures.

But they could yet prove two of the most important games of Alvaro Arbeloa's reign.

Two points gained, a feeling that with a little more luck they could have won either, and more than enough in the performances to see what the Spaniard wants from his side.

As at Liverpool last weekend, there was some eye-catching football on show from Fulham, playing out from the back and going smoothly from one end to the other in a flash.

The exciting Josh King, still just 19, will rightly be praised for his showing but perhaps the key for the west Londoners will be the vastly underrated Alex Iwobi.

The former Arsenal and Everton midfielder is 30, and has matured into an incredibly smart, if unglamourous player.

Playing from the left, he is responsible for conducting so many of Fulham's attacks and more often than not his decision is the right one as shown by his game-high five chances created, all without misplacing a pass.

With Bernd Leno in fine form, perhaps the one thing Arbeloa's team most need now is new striker Gonzalo Garcia to find his feet - and, more importantly, the net.

Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm upset because we were so close, very unlucky with the goal we conceded. It is what it is, we need to keep working and improving. We knew this month would be difficult against top teams. I think we are in a good way.

"Both goalkeepers did good saves, many chances for both teams, two strange goals. Obviously we are upset to concede at the end.

"Calvin [Bassey] is one of the best at the back in the Premier League, he plays at a high level with and without the ball. He is doing so good.

"We have young players but also players with experience, like Sander [Berge] and Alex [Iwobi]. We have a good mix.

"We want points, that's the most important thing, but I think my players are working hard and open to learn. They are playing in the way we want to play. If we continue playing this way the victories will come.

"We now have three weeks without many players, some stay here and we will work with them. When they come back we will start again."

Did you know?

• This is just the fourth time that Fulham have failed to win any of their opening five games in a top-flight campaign (with 1951-52, 2011-12 and 2020-21), while they have been relegated in two of the previous three (51-52 and 20-21).

• There were 26 shots in the first half of this match between Fulham (nine) and Manchester United (17), the most in the opening half of a Premier League game with no goals scored on record (since 2003-04).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds United v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Manchester City v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fulham v Manchester United (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Watching Fulham draw at Anfield last weekend changed my view on them.

I had not seen Alvaro Arbeloa's side over 90 minutes before and, while their other results were poor, this time they were excellent.

They cut through Liverpool and had some nice patterns of play, but also defended well too. Arbeloa said afterwards that they played with more balance and I think that is a good way to describe their display.

Then I went to Manchester United's defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and their performance was very poor.

Michael Carrick really needs a response with a win here to take into the international break, but how can I give United a chance after the way the Seagulls absolutely dismantled them?

Three times in the past four seasons, United have gone to Craven Cottage and nicked the win late on, but I can't make a case for that happening.

As well as having problems up front, United are struggling defensively and I can see Fulham creating plenty of opportunities against them too.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United travel to Fulham on Sunday with both sides in desperate need of a win going into the lengthy international break.

The Red Devils, who were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton on Wednesday, have won just one of their opening four Premier League games this season to leave them 13th, already eight points adrift of the early pace-setters Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Brighton defeat rounded off a difficult few days for United head coach Michael Carrick, whose side were insipid in the Manchester derby loss to 10-man City last Sunday. Throw in the uncertainty over academy star JJ Gabriel's future and Carrick is in dire need of three points on the road in west London.

The good news for him is that United's recent record against Fulham is outstanding; they have lost just once in the past 21 league meetings between the two sides, winning 16 and drawing four.

Should Sesko start?

The only out-and-out centre-forward at Carrick's disposal, Benjamin Sesko, has been used as a substitute in the four league games so far, scoring once off the bench against Everton.

With his team drawing blanks in two of those four games, there are calls for the Slovenia striker to start at Craven Cottage, having netted a stoppage-time winner against the same opposition at Old Trafford last season.

The Red Devils have had more shots than any other top-flight side across the first four matchdays of this season, but aren't among the division's top four scorers. So far, only Brighton (10.2) have accumulated a higher xG than United's 8.3.

Although Sesko struggled to make an impact midweek against Brighton, he is fully recovered from the shin injury he sustained in early May, so Carrick may turn to the club's joint-top scorer from last season in the hope he can convert some of the many shots United are creating.

Fears for Fulham

Winless Fulham find themselves in the relegation zone after four games, with new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa cursing his luck just two months into the job.

The Spaniard's side, currently 18th, were booed off at Craven Cottage after a third successive league defeat against Crystal Palace on 5 September. All three have come via a one-goal margin.

A draw against Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday and a 3-2 midweek win over West Ham United in the EFL Cup have given the Fulham faithful some cause for optimism, though - as has Josh King's continued good form.

King, still only 19, is the Cottagers' top league scorer with two goals and the Londoner has his sights set on a senior England call-up this season. He was one of four youngsters to feature in Thomas Tuchel's pre-World Cup training camp in Florida, along with Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha and Ethan Nwaneri.

Since the start of last season, when he cemented his place in the Fulham side, the only teenager to make more appearances than King in Europe's top five leagues is Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid from RB Leipzig for an initial fee of £107m last month.

On 1 February, the last time the two teams met, late goals from Raul Jimenez and Kevin threatened to earn Fulham a point, before Benjamin Sesko's late winner.

That result triggered a worrying collapse in form – since then, the only ever-present side in the division to win fewer points than Fulham are Tottenham. It is a rut Arbeloa must urgently get out of.

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Craven Cottage (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Kenny Tete is not available for selection "after the ball hit him in the Anfield game". They will have to "make a decision" on Ryan Sessegnon, who is set to train on Friday, while Tom Cairney is "still recovering".

• Arbeloa said Fulham have been working on their defensive game "from the first day" and admitted they conceded some "easy goals" against West Ham in the Carabao Cup in midweek. He added: "It's always more or less the same when we score a goal - maybe we are a little bit relaxing. I don't know why but we need to improve and we need to work in this type of situation."

• On the extended international break: "We will have time to work with the players that stay here with us and we will play a friendly game, but it's not the best moment when you are working so hard. It is what it is and also we are thinking about the game against Manchester United. If we can do a very good game, it will be a better international break."

• Arbeloa was asked how close he thinks Josh King is to a senior England call-up: "I'm not the coach of the England national team but I think Josh is ready. I don't see too many players like him in this league. He's just 19 years old, with the talent he has and obviously he's a really hard-working player. He's making a difference and I think he has the level to be in the national squad."

• Arbeloa said they have to play at their "best level, the same level we saw at Anfield" when they face Michael Carrick's side this weekend. He added: "We are facing one of the best teams in the world and we know that and we need to be ready."

• On Carrick being under pressure, he said: "Every Premier League manager is under pressure. It's not because [of] what comes from outside, it's because you have to be really demanding of yourself. All the managers want to win every weekend. For sure, when you are a coach of a big team you are always under pressure, but same for me because I need to win games. Both teams will want to win the game on Sunday, so it's going to be a good battle."

• On referees and the technology in the game, Arbeloa said "they can do better for sure" but also stressed that "we are behind them" and "trying to support referees".

Listen to full commentary of Fulham v Man Utd on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday

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