Then & Now: Consistent Cottagers
Written by Rhys Daly on 30th September 2019
Fulham beat Wigan 2-0 Friday at Craven Cottage to continue a fine run of form against the Latics. Are there other teams we’ve been equally dominant against? Rhys Daly takes a look at teams who have had the Whites as their bogey side.
Wigan 2006–
Embed from Getty ImagesFulham overcame some interesting spoiling tactics from the visitors on Friday to secure a 2-0 victory, and our record against them is nothing short of remarkable.
Fulham haven’t lost to Wigan since a 1-0 home defeat in October 2006, a game which was described as a smash and grab through Henri Camara.
Despite the 13-year streak of not losing, a lot of the clashes have ended in stalemate. Across the 18 fixtures, 10 have ended in draws, including four of the last six. The 3-2 victory in the second to last meeting in February 2017 ended a run of four draws, with cult hero Neeskens Kebano netting a stoppage time winner.
In the eight wins Fulham have earned since Wigan last took three points, the result has never been more than a two-goal margin, so a close game was to be expected on Friday.
Games without defeat – 18
Years without defeat – 12
Norwich 1999-2015
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Canaries had a simply torrid time against Fulham for 17 fixtures until 2015.
The run started in September 1999, with a 4-0 win at Carrow Road. In the dominant win, Paul Peschisolido, Lee Clark and John Collins got on the scoresheet, to kick off a run of brilliant against the Canaries.
12 wins and four draws over the next 16 years made Norwich fans dread taking on the mighty Whites, with a 6-0 drubbing in 2005 condemning them to relegation.
Since Bradley Johnson’s brace and own-goal in our 4-2 defeat in 2015, Fulham have gone another four games without losing, probably making Norwich our favourite opponents of anyone in the football league.
Games without defeat – 17
Years without defeat – 16
Huddersfield Town 1994-2018
Embed from Getty ImagesFulham’s dire performance in the 1-0 defeat at the Kirklees Stadium last season ended a run almost 24 years without a loss.
Starting with a 1-1 draw in Division Two in 1994 the Whites went 11 games without losing, winning seven fixtures.
Of those seven, Fulham registered three wins by a three-goal margin and a memorable 5-0 drubbing in 2016.
The Cottagers have already won twice since the loss last season, with Ivan Cavalerio and Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring in a 2-1 win earlier this term.
Games without defeat – 11
Years without defeat – 23
Charlton Athletic 2005-
Embed from Getty ImagesFulham haven’t lost to Charlton since a 2-1 Premier League defeat in 2005, in a run of 10 successive fixtures.
Five draws and fives wins have followed, and although some websites count an FA Trophy defeat in 2018, the club bill it as an under-21 fixture.
A 4-0 win in 2012 which included a Clint Dempsey hat-trick (and a memorable Bryan Ruiz dive) is the biggest margin of the bunch, with two 3-0 wins in the following four games.
Scott Parker grabbed one of his six goals for Fulham in 150 appearances off the underside of the bar in 2014, and fans will be hoping for a similar result in 5 days’ time.
Games without defeat – 10
Years without defeat – 14
