Fulham's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa expressed his delight following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Hull City on BBC Match of the Day. The sole goal of the match came from Alex Iwobi in the 33rd minute.
The Spaniard couldn't hide his joy for the fans and players, who have put in significant effort to achieve this victory.
"I am very happy, especially for the fans – they deserved this win. The players worked hard for it as well. We’ve deserved to win in other matches but haven’t managed to do so. Today was finally our day.
In past matches, we’ve felt similar frustration: controlling the game, creating good chances, but failing to score. Our opponents have punished us for errors or converted their own opportunities. But today, we delivered 90 fantastic minutes.
We controlled the match, created multiple chances, and didn’t allow a very good Hull City team to create dangerous opportunities. They are not easy to play against. We need to keep this momentum going and improve further,” Arbeloa stated.
On converting chances
The manager emphasised that Fulham have plenty of players capable of finding the back of the net but acknowledged the need to be more effective in capitalising on created opportunities.
"We have many talented players who can score. They will get their chances. The players coming off the bench will also be very important for us. We create numerous chances and need to strive to convert them,” he said.
On Ryan Sessegnon's red card
Arbeloa also commented on Ryan Sessegnon’s late dismissal, as the defender received a red card following a harsh tackle on Hull City's Robinho Vaza.
"It was unfortunate for him; he wanted to play the ball. I didn’t see the replay – it may have actually been a clear red card. Everyone knows Ryan: he didn’t intend for that tackle. We feel sorry for the Hull player,” the Fulham boss added.
Looking ahead
The Spaniard identified the upcoming week as vital for the team, as Fulham is set to face Coventry and Crystal Palace within a week.
"This is a very important victory for us. We have a big week coming up: first Coventry, then Crystal Palace within seven days. It won’t be easy, but we know how we have to play and fight. In this league, it's crucial to be competitive. We have our style, and we hope to showcase it in many matches,” Arbeloa concluded.
