{"id":290894,"date":"2023-09-17T00:36:13","date_gmt":"2023-09-17T00:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=290894"},"modified":"2023-09-17T00:36:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-17T00:36:13","slug":"fulham-1-0-luton-carlos-vinicius-comes-off-the-bench-to-score-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/soccer\/fulham-1-0-luton-carlos-vinicius-comes-off-the-bench-to-score-winner\/","title":{"rendered":"Fulham 1-0 Luton: Carlos Vinicius comes off the bench to score winner"},"content":{"rendered":"
When these two sides last met 16 months ago, Fulham hit seven past Luton Town on the night the Cottagers sealed the Championship title. Few would have imagined that the next time they would meet would be in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
As it was, this was a first top-flight meeting between the teams since 1960 when the Hatters won 4-1 at Kenilworth Road but it was Fulham who took the three points here thanks to substitute Carlos Vinicius\u2019s second-half strike and moved into the top half of the table.<\/p>\n
The Brazilian\u2019s first goal of the season inflicted a fourth straight defeat for Luton, who became only the second side to lose each of their first four Premier League matches in their first season in the division, since Swindon Town in 1993-94 and are now rooted to the bottom of the league.<\/p>\n
\u2018Tricky one. Difficult one and to be honest, we expected that with their 5-3-2 behind the ball,\u2019 admitted Marco Silva, whose side were made to graft for the three points. \u2018It was crucial for us to win this game,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
In truth, Luton offered stubborn resistance but lacked that clinical edge to beat Bernd Leno despite some glorious chances.<\/p>\n
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Carlos Vinicius came off the bench to score Fulham’s opening goal at home to Luton Town<\/p>\n
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Marco Silva made three changes from the Fulham side that lost to Man City before the break<\/p>\n
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Luton’s keeper Thomas Kaminski was booked for timewasting as they looked to stifle the hosts<\/p>\n
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\u2018We missed three golden opportunities today and I think we should have had a penalty as well,\u2019 said Luton boss Rob Edwards.<\/p>\n
FULHAM (4-3-3):<\/span> Leno 7, Tete 6, Diop 7, Ream 6, Castagne 6, Pereira 7.5 (Cairney 81), Palhinha 7, Reed 6 (Iwobi 62, 6), Wilson 6 (De Cordova-Reid 81), Jimenez 5 (Vinicius 62, 7), Willian 7 (Bassey 90+1).<\/p>\n Subs unused: <\/span>Rodak, Toure, Muniz, Francois<\/p>\n Goals:<\/span> Vinicius 65<\/p>\n Bookings:<\/span> Diop, Castagne<\/p>\n Manager: <\/span>Marco Silva 6<\/p>\n LUTON TOWN (5-3-2): <\/span>Kaminski 6, Kabore 7, Burke 6 (Woodrow 82), Lockyer 6, Anderson 6, Bell 6, Lokonga 7 (Mpanzu 75, 5), Nakamba 6, Chong 6 (Adebayo 75, 5), Brown 6 (Doughty 75, 5), Morris 6 (Ogbene 75, 5).<\/p>\n Subs unused: <\/span>Krul, Berry, Mengi, Giles<\/p>\n Bookings:<\/span> Chong, Kaminski<\/p>\n Manager:<\/span> Rob Edwards 6<\/p>\n Referee: <\/span>Michael Salisbury 7<\/p>\n Attendance:<\/span> 24,467<\/p>\n Silva made three changes from the side that lost to Man City before the international break, with Joao Palhinha making his first appearance since his move to Bayern Munich collapsed at the end of the transfer window.<\/p>\n The Portuguese international won 11 duels, the most of any player on the pitch and since making his Premier League debut last August, he has won 308 duels – more than any other player in the division.<\/p>\n \u2018Top player. Top professional. Top guy,\u2019 said Silva, when asked about Palhinha, who signed a new deal till 2028 earlier this week. \u2018He showed his quality and commitment. All players have dreams. Any professional wants to improve so it\u2019s no surprise when one of the biggest clubs come in. But I never had doubts about his commitment to this football club,\u2019 added Silva.<\/p>\n Edwards made four changes from their defeat to West Ham with Issa Kabore and Sambi Lokonga making their debuts after moving to Luton on loan from Man City and Arsenal respectively.<\/p>\n With five at the back and keeper Thomas Kaminski booked for timewasting in the first half, Luton\u2019s gameplan was clear from the outset – to defend in numbers and hit on the break.<\/p>\n Fulham enjoyed most of the ball with 77.8 percent possession – their most ever in a Premier League game – but it was the visitors with the better chances in the first half with Tahith Chong testing Leno early on. Carlton Morris volleyed wide from inside the box before Jacob Brown\u2019s header rattled the crossbar after a superb delivery from Kabore.<\/p>\n Fulham had early opportunities of their own and Kenny Tete should have converted when Andreas Pereira\u2019s corner found the Fulham defender but he failed to keep his free header down.<\/p>\n The visitors should have taken the lead after the break when Brown\u2019s floated delivery found Amari Bell at the far post but his strike was straight at the outstretched Leno.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fulham’s\u00a0Kenny Tete (L) should have taken the lead, but he failed to keep his free header down<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rob\u00a0Edwards rolled the dice with four substitutions, but the Hatters failed to get the equaliser<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Vinicius’s goal moved Fulham into the top half of the Premier League after five matches<\/p>\n And they were made to pay for their wastefulness three minutes after Vinicius replaced Raul Jimenez up front. Pereira found Willian down the left-hand side and his delivery was palmed by Kaminski straight into the path of Vinicius who smashed home to break the deadlock.<\/p>\n With 15 minutes to go, Edwards rolled the dice with four substitutions but they failed to get an equaliser. It was another opportunity missed for the Hatters who will be desperate to avoid making it five defeats on the trot when Wolves visit Kenilworth Road next weekend.<\/p>\n For Silva, a win was a fitting way to mark his 100th game in charge of the Cottagers. His win rate of 39.5 percent with the club in the Premier League is the best out of any Fulham manager but he was keen to emphasise some of the refereeing decisions that have gone against his side this season.<\/p>\n \u2018Five games. Tough schedule and many decisions against us as well that have had a huge impact,\u2019 stressed Silva. \u2018Sometimes it\u2019s important to remind because sometimes people forget. It\u2019s not an excuse but it\u2019s a reality.\u2019<\/p>\n