Hollywood royalty at the Cottage, trusting the system, and Anthony Knockaert's honesty - just three topics we look at in our West Brom Talking Points.
1. Trust the system
Some sections of the crowd became frustrated at Fulham’s tactics of playing out from the back, but Scott Parker believes that approach will yield the best results for his team. Speaking to FFCtv after the game, he said: “There were two sides to the way we played. Before [our] goal we played a controlled, brave way, trying to bring a team out of a block, trying to bring them onto us, and we carved good opportunities. We had 10 shots, three very good ones on target, and hit the bar before half-time. And then after we score, there’s a different side where we go centre-half up to the frontman. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t, and the game becomes end to end. And, for me, this team will lose more games playing that way than it will win.”
2. Betts’ apology
West Bromwich Albion’s equaliser arrived after Marcus Bettinelli clawed a corner out from underneath his crossbar, but only as far as Semi Ajayi. Our goalkeeper was despondent at full-time and took to Instagram to take responsibility: “Apologies to the fans and the boys for the mistake 2nd half. The boys deserved all 3 points today. Onto next week to put things right.” A mark of the man.
3. Honesty from Knockaert
The Fulham admin were raving about Anthony Knockaert’s goal in the press box, telling anyone who would listen that it was intentional, a work of art. But the Frenchman was quick to confess that it was actually a mishit cross, making him a far more honest man than us.
4. Baggies’ staying power
West Brom are now the only side in the Championship still unbeaten, and you can see why thanks to their ability to remain in football matches. Fulham had the better of the play on Saturday but our guests put in a gritty and dogged display to give themselves a chance. The statistic that they have been behind in six of their seven matches and are still yet to lose speaks for itself.
5. Special guests
Hollywood actor Will Ferrell is a big football fan and he clearly knew where to head for some high calibre match action. He was joined on the Cottage balcony by Aaron Hughes, with the Whites legend receiving a hero’s welcome when he collected his Forever Fulham award at half-time.
