Marco Silva has built a progressive team faster than Fulham could finish their £80 million Riverside stand.
Despite the first foundations appearing as far back as 2019, the great edifice soaring above the Thames at Craven Cottage has become a monument to procrastination.
Latest estimates suggest it will not be fully open until the start of next season. At this rate, Fulham may be in Europe before they can admire the Boat Race from their new boardwalk. Silva's team were expected to flounder in the Premier League's rip tides after winning the Championship in style.
But since handing Liverpool their egos on a platter on the first day of term, they have become proficient highwaymen in west London's tale of stand deliver: The stand's not ready, but Fulham are delivering terrific entertainment on the pitch.
Marco Silva is working wonders at Fulham (Nigel Keene/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)Historically, their barren record against the neighbours from two stops up the District Line had become a blind spot. Remarkably, the 1-0 win against Chelsea in March 2006, on Chris Coleman's watch as manager, was Fulham's only success in 40 previous SW6 derbies since 1979.
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Even without suspended talisman Aleksandr Mitrovic, they were vibrant, committed and fearless. Fortune favours the brave, as Willian discovered when his deflected effort put Fulham in front against his old club, and the sexy football Silva advocates – belts off, trousers down, back of the net - is an honourable virtue.
No Mitro, no problem - Vinicius steps up (Simon Dael/REX/Shutterstock)But if Fulham were a little more streetwise, a little more snarling Rottweiler instead of labrador puppy running amok with a toilet roll, they would be top-six contenders. As for Silva's opposite number Graham Potter... tell the patient to lie still, matron will be round with the medicine chest shortly.
Just when Chelsea's head coach thought he had strengthened his hand, his ace turned into a liability.
Joao Felix was playing superbly on his debut until that reckless lunge at Kenny Tete, and referee David Coote's inevitable red card, turned the tide against Potter again. How does a manager legislate for a moment of madness like that?
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