Fulham and Blackpool shared the spoils at the Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Josh Bowler scoring a goal apiece for their teams, but a black cloud of tragedy darkened the occasion for every sports lover around the world.
Fulham fan dies
The match was still in its early phase and Mitrovic had just scored for the home side, when it was brought to a halt due to a medical emergency in the stands. The holdup lasted over 40 minutes as the medical staff at the stadium fought for the life of Paul Parish, a Fulham supporter who had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Naturally, these horrible moments tend to bring back to mind the near-tragedies involving Fabrice Muamba and Christian Eriksen, the two players who were on the edge of losing their lives in that way in the middle of a football match.
The game eventually continued, with the news coming out that Mr. Parish had been taken to hospital. However, a couple of hours later, Fulham released a statement confirming that their supporter had died.
It is with immense sadness that we inform fans of the passing of supporter, Paul Parish.
Paul suffered a cardiac arrest and received treatment in the stand at this afternoon’s match before being transferred to hospital.
Our condolences go out to Paul’s loved ones. #FFC
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 29, 2022
There isn’t really too much anyone can do to help the family and friends of the one who lost his life, but several Fulham players did their best to try and help those who stood near and were undoubtedly affected severely by what they witnessed.
Just heard the devastating news rest in peace Paul Parish you’ll be a part of the Fulham family forever 🖤 Thankyou to the hammy end for bringing our attention to the situation thoughts are with Paul’s family we’re all with you and anything we can do or help with please reach out
— Tom Cairney (@ThomasCairney) January 29, 2022
To all those who witnessed and may be struggling with what they saw…don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to someone. Reach out to me, to your loved ones, to anyone. You are not alone and others will be or have felt what you are feeling.
— Tim Ream (@timream5) January 29, 2022
Fulham’s missed opportunity
The weekend found Fulham sitting at the top of the Championship table with a five-point advantage over Blackburn Rovers in second place, and with Blackburn playing a goalless draw against Luton Town, it was a nice opportunity for the Cottagers to extend their lead at the top of the table. All they needed to do was to triumph at home over 14th-place Blackpool, to whom the result of this particular match wasn’t going to make too much difference.
Obviously, it wasn’t to be. Marco Silva’s team started pretty well, dominating the contest and threatening to settle it in their favour early. It may be that the long interruption, caused by the unpleasant scenes in the stands, disturbed their focus; after all, it’s only human to feel shaken by such matters, without the need to question one’s professionalism.
Be that as it may, Fulham’s dominance wavered as the match progressed, and they allowed the visitors to gradually claw their way back into the contest. They still had a couple of big chances to double their lead, but Fabio Carvalho and Harry Wilson, both of whom had one-on-one situations with Blackpool ‘keeper Daniel Grimshaw, failed to find the net.
Blackpool resilience pays off
It may feel harsh to say it, but Blackpool showed very little quality as a team in this match, at least in terms of having the ball and working out a plan on how to threaten Marek Rodak in the Fulham goal. They fought hard at the back and it certainly helped them stay in the game, but going forward, all they appeared to be doing was waiting for the home side to make a mistake they could possibly take advantage of.
Luckily for them, however, those moments came, most notably in the 57th minute when Tosin Adarabioyo’s wayward pass got intercepted. CJ Hamilton accepted the present gladly and charged down the left, before squaring it towards the edge of the box where Bowler was waiting unmarked.
From that point on, they managed to keep danger away from their goal and even looked as the team likelier to snatch a late win, working on Fulham’s frustrations with using cunning methods.
In the end, both teams are left practically where they were in terms of the Championship table. Fulham will still hope to finish top of the pile and return to the Premier League in the summer, while Blackpool continue their comfortable stride through the season, ensuring they aren’t enmeshed in the battle against relegation.
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