After Fulham’s win, Jakirović sums it up: “A game of men against boys”

“They were all over us. It was a game of men against boys.” After Fulham’s win over Hull, Hull manager Sergej Jakirović offered an unflinching assessment. The 1-0 result gave Álvaro Arbeloa his first Premier League victory and lifted Fulham off the bottom of the table.

The dominance was also apparent in the numbers. Fulham had 76.54% possession, the second-highest share in a Premier League match. The team completed 682 of 752 passes, the third-highest total in that category, and made seven recoveries in the final third—enough to rank among the league’s top 11 single-match performances in that respect so far this season.

Arbeloa welcomed a victory his players had been seeking. “The players had been looking for this win for a long time. We deserved it in other games but didn’t get it; today, at last, it came,” he said. He described a match in which Fulham controlled play and created chances, while not allowing Hull a clear opportunity.

The performance followed the principles Arbeloa had set out to his players when he was introduced as manager: he wanted brave players with personality and promised to give them the confidence to show their talent. He also stressed hard work, a high press, intensity and running until the end. After the match, he summed up his aim: “We have our style and hope we can show it in many games.”

Josh King also highlighted the team’s commitment, saying Fulham had played bravely and worked hard for one another. He called the three points very important. Jakirović, meanwhile, acknowledged that his side had been outplayed in every area, both in and out of possession, in duels and on second balls. He also felt Fulham had been more aggressive and could have scored more.

The narrow margin did not prevent Fulham’s performance from drawing praise. Arbeloa said his team had continued to attack after taking the lead. The win ended Fulham’s winless start to the league campaign and lifted the club out of the relegation zone. After the match, Arbeloa celebrated with his group before taking a lap of Craven Cottage to thank the supporters. The question now is whether the performance can provide a lasting platform for the playing identity he is trying to establish.