Ange’s verdict on Fulham: “We have to take these knocks, get up and go again”

Ange Postecoglou liked the character on show from the players as we came from behind in our Carabao Cup second round tie at Fulham on Tuesday night, only to go out on penalties.

Fulham had the better of the first half and led through Micky van de Ven’s own goal, an unfortunate deflection as he challenged Harrison Reed for Tom Cairney’s cross on 19 minutes.

We levelled on 56 minutes when Richarlison headed home Ivan Perisic’s cross but Fulham responded well and created the better chances as Bobby De Cordova-Reid fired wide, Davinson Sanchez blocked Harry Wilson and Fraser Forster also denied Wilson point-blank. At the other end, Manor Solomon forced a fine save from Marek Rodak. Level after seven minutes of added time, the game went to penalties - Fulham scored five out of five, Sanchez missed our third as we went down 5-3.

Speaking on the Review Show on SPURSPLAY, Ange told us: “It’s a disappointing outcome for us, obviously, being knocked out. We started pretty slowly, which wasn’t a total surprise considering the changes I made to the team, a lot of these boys haven’t played a lot of football recently.

“I like the fact we hung in there, that we showed some character and personality. I thought we got into the game and had our moments, but, away from home against a Premier League team, you need to take those moments in a cup game, we didn’t, and unfortunately, we miss out on penalties.

“We were never totally in control of the game, I don’t think they were, either. It was a typical cup game where both teams had their moments. In those situations, you need to take them.

“I thought the lads, on a difficult night, showed some real character and we’re going to need that. It’s not just about the football, the character we show, the personality we show when things get tough. I liked the way we hung on in there.

“For us, the dressing room, disappointed, but resilient. We have to take these knocks, get up and go again on Saturday.”