Jol unconvinced despite Fulham win

Fulham manager Martin Jol was not entirely satisfied with his team’s narrow 2-1 win over Norwich in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Home side Fulham were in command in the match thanks to early goals from Clint Dempsey and Damien Duff.

Norwich rallied to score through Aaron Wilbrahim, and threatened to force an equaliser after dominating late on at Craven Cottage.

“I have to say I have mixed feelings because in the first half we were prepared and started off well,” Jol said.

“They changed their system all the time, and they do that with a purpose which is not easy.

“We used the right tactics in the first half and there was a good balance between offensive and defensive play.

“So in the second half they changed the formation and almost forced us to double up on the flanks and go back, and we couldn’t get out of it.

“If the balance is gone because your offence and defence, you get a problem, so we couldn’t get out or hold the ball.

“Even in their half, five or six times we gave it away and should have kept it, and that is what they want.

“If you play in your own box all the time you give the opposition more chances to create, and that is why we want to play in the other half.”

Norwich manager Lambert felt his players deserved a reward for their second-half performance.

“We should have (got something from the game),” he said.

“We were relentless in the second half.

“But you can’t give teams two goals at the start. It’s a mountain to climb from there. But the response was absolutely terrific.

“We went about it and try to retrieve the game. In the second half I thought the lads were excellent.”