Fulham pick up first Premier League win of the season as head coach Silva talks about their dominance
Marco Silva felt his Fulham side were good value for their 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday.
The Whites collected their first points of the 2024-25 Premier League season with club-record signing Emile Smith Rowe scoring the opening goal at Craven Cottage.
Alex Iwobi struck in the second half as Fulham bounced back from their their 1-0 loss at Manchester United on the opening day.
Whites head coach Silva told Match of the Day: “It was a tight score, but it is clear the best team – the most dominant team, the team that did more to score – won the game.
“A top level for our first 30 minutes. The way we started the game was dominant. The quality, the connections, the way we arrived so many times around the box. We created some good chances.
“In the second half, it was not the same quality of football. But we won so many corners and so many shots. Rodrigo [Muniz], I don’t know how many shots he had this afternoon. Normally, with these type of chances, he is going to score one or two.
“There were very good moments from us. I didn’t see chances from Leicester, to be honest.”
Smith Rowe has started both Premier League matches since arriving from Arsenal.
The Croydon-raised midfielder is still building up his fitness and was replaced in the 69th minute by Harry Wilson.
“It is not best to think about whether he is the club-record signing or not,” said Silva.
“We recognise his quality. I’m sure he is going to be important, as he was today. I’m sure he is going to be even more important in the future. He is getting the minute in the tank that he needs.
“Last season, he didn’t almost play and he didn’t have a normal pre-season, so it is going to take a bit of time for him to be in the best shape he can be.”
Fulham continued a big summer of spending with the additions of Burnley midfielder Sander Berge and Crystal Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen last week.
Danish international Andersen, 28, has signed a five-year contract with the Eagles receiving around £30million. The west Londoners have an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
Berge, 26, has cost an initial £20m and is contracted until the summer of 2029. He said: “The DNA of the club is to be dominant, aggressive, front-footed and play nice football. That suits me.”
PICTURES: PA