Fulham's concerning start to the Premier League season is the main topic after a third consecutive defeat, with pressure mounting on manager Alvaro Arbeloa. The club's under-21 side also featured in a midweek cup fixture, providing a minor distraction from the first-team's struggles.
Fulham sit 19th in the Premier League with 0 points from their first three games, having lost all three. This marks only the fourth time in the club's history they have opened a campaign with three straight defeats. The previous occasions in 1951/52 and 2020/21 both ended in relegation, a stark historical warning for the current side.
The club has scored 4 goals but conceded 7, leaving them with a -3 goal difference. They are already 9 points behind the early leaders, Manchester City. Fans at Craven Cottage voiced their frustration after the latest loss, with Arbeloa facing pointed reminders of a poor defensive record.
Spanish press coverage of Arbeloa's start has been highly critical. Newspaper AS described the situation as a "drama" for the 43-year-old manager. Marca's headline questioned the beginning of the 'Arbeloa era' following the team's poor results."I am very confident. We lost a game we should not have lost," after the Crystal Palace defeat. The manager pointed to positive underlying statistics, including a higher expected goals figure, as a reason for optimism despite the results.
Fulham's under-21 side drew 0-0 with Braintree Town in the National League Cup on Tuesday 8th September. The result leaves the young Cottagers with 2 points from their opening group games, sitting fifth in Group A. Manager Dan Thomas fielded a side including players like Adrion Zepa and Michael Casey.
Braintree Town, managed by Stephen Pitt, finished the match with two yellow cards. The stalemate means Fulham U21s need positive results in their remaining group fixtures to have a chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. The youth team's fixtures show their upcoming schedule.
The next test for Arbeloa's team is a daunting away trip to face Liverpool on September 12th. Liverpool currently sit 6th in the table, presenting another severe challenge for a team yet to find its footing. This match is part of a brutal opening run that has also included games against Chelsea and Manchester United.
A Fulham publisher noted the importance of momentum, suggesting another defeat could "significantly deflate the mood." The club's summer signings, including midfielders Hugo Larsson and Manuel Angel, are still integrating into the squad. Fans can check the latest team news on the squad page. Fulham travel to Anfield on September 12th needing a result to change their season's trajectory.
