Arbeloa calls pressure a privilege after Fulham's first Premier League win
Alex Iwobi's strike against Hull City ended a six-game winless run and eased the heat on the Fulham head coach, who had reportedly been given two games to save his job.
Fulham secured their first Premier League win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Hull City at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Alex Iwobi scored the only goal in the 34th minute after a defensive error, lifting Fulham off the foot of the table at the seventh attempt under head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
The result eases intense pressure on Arbeloa, who had reportedly been given two games to save his job. Asked directly about that pressure, the former Real Madrid manager said: “Pressure is a privilege.” He also praised his players for believing in his ideas even during the winless run.
The breakthrough came when Hull’s left wing-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy failed to clear, allowing Sander Berge to poke the ball into Iwobi’s path. Fulham dominated throughout, racking up ten shots in the first half and continuing to create chances after the break, with Gonzalo Garcia hitting the crossbar from an Iwobi cross in the 74th minute.
There was a late scare when substitute Ryan Sessegnon was sent off in stoppage time for a late challenge on Hull substitute Robinio Vaz, catching him around the heel and Achilles. Arbeloa admitted he would have preferred a more comfortable margin, saying: “It’s better to win 2-0 than 1-0, even in a game like that where we were a much better team.”
For Hull, it was another setback. Head coach Sergej Jakirovic described the display as the worst of his time at the club, saying every challenge was won by Fulham. Hull are now winless in five matches.
Arbeloa was appointed in the summer as Marco Silva’s successor with a remit to bring more entertaining football to Craven Cottage. Despite a difficult start, he believes teenage forward Josh King has everything needed to become a top player. Sky Sports reported that Arbeloa feels he has the support of the Fulham owners. For now, one win has bought him time to show what his side can be.
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Sources and context
- Alvaro Arbeloa Calls Pressure a Privilege After Fulham's First Premier League Winyahoo.com
- Pressure on Arbeloa lifted after Alex Iwobi sinks Hull for Fulham’s first winThe Guardian
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