New Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri made an immediate impact on his debut at Craven Cottage. Fulham came from behind to defeat fellow relegation fighters Southampton, 3-2, thanks to goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle. While Ranieri wasn’t able to sort Fulham’s defensive frailties, he has put the club in a positive position. Now on eight points and only in the relegation zone due to goal difference, Fulham could make their way to mid-table safety with Ranieri at the helm.
New Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri makes an instant impact against Southampton
Ranieri has only been in the job for a short time, but he has got Fulham’s stars firing. Ryan Sessegnon and Mitrovic powered Fulham to Premier League promotion last season. The club started hot and club during the first half of the term and truly turned on its promotion push in the second half in the Championship.
Ranieri’s back and @FulhamFC have come from a goal down to lead 2-1. Get your money on them to win the league. Put your pants on it.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 24, 2018
Under Slavisa Jokanovic, Fulham continued to play the same way they did in the second division. It didn’t work, leaving them open at the back while better defences prevented the Cottagers’ attack from running riot. Ranieri brings a different philosophy. Like at Leicester, Ranieri will give up possession to allow Fulham the chance to counterattack. Against Southampton, Fulham only registered 37 percent possession.
Fulham 3-2 Southampton FT:
Shots: 10-19
Pass accuracy: 72%-80%
Chances created: 10-12
Possession: 37%-63%Claudio Ranieri secures his first Fulham win in a Dilly-ding, Dily-dong game. pic.twitter.com/TuqDBifWgP
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 24, 2018
Claudio Ranieri gets Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic to star in FPL
Sessegnon and Mitrovic were brilliant in Fantasy Premier League against Southampton. While they benefitted from playing a six-point game against the Saints, upcoming fixtures versus Chelsea and Manchester United may not result in the same points returns.
Sessegnon scored eight FPL points courtesy of two assists. It was his joint-best FPL gameweek this season. The 18-year-old scored 15 league goals in the Championship. He was unable to adapt to the Premier League in Jokanovic’s tactics, but playing in Ranieri’s counterattacking team, Sessegnon can thrive. Sessegnon’s FPL points return shows just how much he has struggled. The teen, who costs £6 million in FPL, has just 39 points after 13 gameweeks. Eight of those points came against Southampton.
Mitrovic scored 12 goals in just 17 Championship games for Fulham. Having previous Premier League experience with Newcastle, he has played well this term. However, a six-game goal drought between gameweeks 7 and 12, saw Fulham unable to register a point.
Mitrovic sold by 86,852
Schurrle sold by 22,816Both score. The Claudio Ranieri effect…#FPL #FULSOU pic.twitter.com/7gYJ3NZbRR
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 24, 2018
Mitrovic’s two goals against Southampton were his sixth and seventh goals of the season. Mitrovic is fifth in FPL points (61) in terms of all forwards as of Saturday night. Goalscorer Schurrle, who costs just £5.9m in FPL, has tallied 48 points, second most of all Fulham players behind Mitrovic.
Fulham have the chance to resurrect their career under Ranieri. FPL managers will want to keep an eye on Fulham’s promising attackers and be prepared to pull the trigger on adding them to their teams.
