Fulham

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match (15:00 BST), with Fulham visiting Ipswich looking for their first league win of the season.

Blues seek defensive solidity

Ipswich players not called up by their countries spent part of the international break at a warm-weather training camp in Spain, which culminated in a 1-0 win over Espanyol in a behind-closed-doors friendly on 2 October.

The Tractor Boys have yet to keep a competitive clean sheet under Gary O'Neil, but will hope shutting out the La Liga outfit can provide a springboard towards greater defensive solidity. Only Chelsea have conceded more top-flight goals than the Blues, who are also among the league's worst sides for shots faced, big chances faced and duel success rate.

O'Neil made two changes to his backline for the defeat at Everton last time out. Summer signing Kjell Scherpen made way for Christian Walton in goal, while Abdoul Ouattara replaced Jacob Greaves in defence, allowing captain Dara O'Shea to move from right-back to his preferred position at centre-back.

Those alterations did not quite pay off, with the Blues beaten 1-0 on Merseyside, but they showed plenty of attacking endeavour, even after being reduced to 10 men for the final 23 minutes.

That performance will give the newly promoted side confidence as they target a third Premier League win of the season. It took them 19 games to reach that tally during their most recent top-flight campaign in 2024-25.

Arbeloa still awaiting first win

Fulham are one of three clubs still searching for their first Premier League win, but back-to-back draws against Liverpool and Manchester United have provided encouragement for new boss Alvaro Arbeloa.

His side came close to beating United, only for a deflected Matheus Cunha strike to level the scores in the 89th minute.

Arbeloa was outspoken in his criticism of referee Peter Bankes after the match, complaining that "every decision" had gone United's way. He has since been charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

The Cottagers now begin a run of three consecutive games against the three promoted clubs, and the Spaniard is likely to come under pressure if he is still without a victory at the end of that sequence.

This is only the fourth time Fulham have failed to win any of their opening five top-flight games. The last time it happened, in 2020-21, they went on to be relegated.

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arbeloa confirmed all players who were away on international duty have returned fit and available for the trip to Ipswich.

• Kenny Tete is also back in contention after missing the meeting against Manchester United, but Saturday's match comes too soon for Tom Cairney, who has recently returned to team training following rehabilitation for a knee injury.

• The Fulham boss gave a "no comment" response when asked about the Manchester Cityguilty verdict, external, but also to his own charge that was handed to him by the Football Association during the international break. The Spaniard was charged with misconduct over post-match comments he made following his side's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

• On whether he has responded to the FA: "I don't want to make any comment about that. I just want to talk about my team and my players."

• Oscar Bobb is yet to score for Fulham in the Premier League so far this season, but netted twice for Norway during the break. On his goals, Arbeloa said: "He has scored more goals in one week than in the last few games with us! But I am so happy because we need his goals and I know how talented he is. He can score goals and he can assist and he is a very good player in one-v-one situations. I hope he will be able to score more goals with us."

• The Spaniard said he can see his team becoming "more balanced and more consistent" in the games against Manchester United, West Ham and Liverpool, and they are focused on improving defensively and "especially in transition".

• On the next period of fixtures: "For me, there's only one game - tomorrow's [Saturday's] game. Just thinking about Ipswich. We play against a very good team and I think they have had a very tough start like us. I think if we want to beat them we have to play at our best. Away games are always difficult, never easy and we know that. They have very good players and coach."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Just five games in, it might seem a bit early to pay much attention to the Premier League table - but it's probably more settled than you think.

If we look at the Premier League after five games last season and where teams ultimately ended up, the final table was already starting to take shape as 13 of the 20 sides finished within four places of where they sat even at this early stage (65%).

Eventual champions Arsenal were second, Sunderland were already seventh - where they finished eight months later - and two of the three sides that were relegated were already in the bottom three.

The eventual champions have been in the top two at this point in the past four campaigns, suggesting - potential punishments aside - it will be Manchester City or Arsenal that lifts the trophy.

The top end of the table overall has sometimes settled surprisingly quickly in recent years. The top eight after five games in 2024-25 finished as the top eight at the end of that season (although not in the same order), while the top six in 2019-20 and top seven in 2016-17 were also in place at this early stage.

While being top after five games has not meant much in recent seasons, being bottom certainly has.

Tottenham could well be in trouble once again as the side bottom of the Premier League after five games has been relegated in six of the past seven seasons.

Being bottom this early did not used to be such a bad omen. Between 2013-14 and 2018-19, only one of the six sides that were propping up the table after five games ended up going down - Newcastle in 2015-16 - while Crystal Palace finished as high as 11th in 2017-18.

Looking at the relegation battle more broadly, at least one of the teams in the bottom three at this stage has been relegated in the past eight seasons - so one of Tottenham, Fulham and Coventry City are very likely to be heading to the Championship in May.

The pool of contestants for this season's relegation battle may already be decided too because the three sides that ultimately went down in the past three seasons were all in the bottom six after five games, which would add Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace to the mix.

The last sides to be outside the bottom six at this point but relegated were Leeds United and Southampton in 2022-23, who were both in the top half (seventh and ninth). With their teams currently in eighth and 11th place, Hull City and Ipswich Town fans will hope that is still the case at the end of this campaign.

While the season may well have barely begun, the Premier League table is already starting to take shape.

Read the piece in full here

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A number of Premier League clubs want Manchester City to be hit with both "retrospective punishments" and sanctions for the future for their mass financial rule-breaking, sources have told BBC Sport.

An independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

City have appealed against the verdict, while the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is poised to look at the findings to see if there may be any suggestions of potential misconduct.

However, there is said to be a consensus among a group of top-flight club executives that if City's appeal is unsuccessful, the sanctions should make reparations for the period when they broke the rules, while also limiting their powers in future.

There is also a feeling from at least four Premier League boardrooms that a "one-hit" points deduction resulting in relegation to the Championship would be an insufficient punishment given the severity of City's wrongdoing.

Read more on what rival clubs want

Liverpool, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund are interested in Fulham's 19-year-old English attacker Josh King who is valued at £51m. (4-4-2.ch - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column [link to day's gossip column]

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

It has certainly been a baptism of fire for new Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, who came under pressure after losing his opening three league fixtures before encouraging displays in draws against Liverpool and Manchester United.

When appointed in July, the Spaniard vowed to build an attack-minded team who are "brave with the ball". He has delivered on that promise, with his side among the Premier League's best in several attacking metrics, such as touches in the opposition box and chances created from open play.

Arbeloa's gameplan relies on patient build-up play. Under Marco Silva last season, Fulham's sequences of possession lasted an average of eight seconds, the fourth shortest in the top flight. That has risen to 12 seconds in the current campaign, the fourth longest.

The problem comes when the Cottagers lose the ball. They have allowed a league-high 20 big chances and rank second-worst for expected goals against, with opponents getting too much time and space to test goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Their duel success rate has also fallen from the Premier League's fifth-best to second-lowest this term as players come to terms with the new approach.

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking about Fulham's 2026-27 campaign so far, Whites fan John Charles (JCC) said: "There is only one word to describe Fulham's start to the Premier League season and that is chaotic.

"Kicking off with a derby against Chelsea under the floodlights was always going to be an exciting fixture for us Fulham fans.

"We didn't expect to concede in the first minute to Joao Pedro after a defensive lapse in concentration. Unfortunately, that set the tone for the next games.

"Going to the Stadium of Light, Sunderland away, and losing that game in the manner we did, then the Crystal Palace game that followed was one of the most calamitous football matches I have ever watched.

"If you're a neutral and not a Fulham fan, I would encourage you to watch the highlights and goals from that game if you're looking for a laugh - but it wasn't funny for us.

"We are starting to feel the pressure as a fanbase and a club that maybe we got this wrong with Alvaro Arbeloa.

"However, adaptation is the most important thing, along with trusting the process with a new manager. You have got to give him the ability to make mistakes because he is learning on the job.

"He is coming into settled squad that has been in the Premier League for five years now and has been solid under one manager.

"When you're making that sort of change, there is always going to be teething problems."

Listen to more from JCC below or on BBC Sounds here

Image source, Getty Images

The Football Association have charged Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa with misconduct after comments made in a post-match interview following Fulham's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the FA said: "Alvaro Arbeloa has been charged with misconduct for comments made after the Premier League fixture between Fulham and Manchester United on Sunday 20 September.

"It is alleged that the Fulham manager acted in an improper manner by making comments in a post-match interview that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official." Alvaro Arbeloa has until Thursday 1 October to provide a response."

After the draw, Arbeloa told Sky Sports that it was "all fouls for them [Manchester United]" after he was left disgruntled by a foul awarded to the Red Devils.

"You can see before they scored, the foul against [Harry] Maguire, he's a guy who is 100 kilos. Every decision was for them.

"And I knew. I knew after the game against Man City [which United lost after a controversial goal] that they [would not] let Manchester United lose here. We deserved a little bit more."

Arbeloa has until Thursday, 1 October to provide a response to the charge.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League has opened a Pandora's box of problems which cannot be closed. However well-intentioned, however morally upright they mean to be, the way the product is perceived around the planet by fans will be negatively affected.

This looks like a gigantic mess, but could also become a bit of a joke, especially if they attempt to rewrite history, and change the winners' names on the Premier League and cup trophies over these past 15 years. I wouldn't want the engraver's job.

I believe financial rules brought in to prioritise financial sustainability were also aimed at limiting the money being spent by the clubs, especially the staggering, ever-inflating sums spent on sometimes fairly average players. It could lead to a de facto salary cap, which many fans would approve of.

The long-term problem for the league is easy to see here: if the top players are then offered significantly more money to play elsewhere, they will be off before you can say 'man on'.

I always thought the Premier League had taken a huge risk going down this regulatory road. As with Manchester City's future, nobody knows what the real long-term ramifications will be.

I have a suspicion it could end up being the greatest own goal in the sport's entire history.

The big take: If City are cast out of England's top leagues, what might the owners do – hang around the lower reaches, or find something else? Wasn't there the idea of a Super League? Keep that thought in the back of your mind.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Most of the time it is not that big a deal if you go into the international break having just lost a club game if I am honest, as teams lose games frequently.

That is just the life of a professional footballer. You have to be able to cope with disappointment as an individual and as a team.

‌Admittedly, players will sometimes say that they want another domestic game quickly, but it is almost always specifically after a 'bad' defeat as opposed to just a run-of-the-mill loss.

‌However, if the team has genuinely played terribly, or lost a game they were expected to win comfortably, you will commonly hear the phrase "we want to have a chance to get back out there and put it right quickly".

‌Players who have had a stinker, even if their team won, might also want to get out again as soon as possible to put it right in front of their fans, or 'reset'. The 'reset' argument is just current football jargon to say, "we will try to get it right next time, and we blew it this week, sorry".

‌The international break can also have the beneficial effect of taking your mind away from a bad defeat. This is not to say that you don't care, it is just that you must compartmentalise your thoughts and feelings. Footballers are among the best at this.

‌You simply cannot go to play for your national team and spend the time brooding about what happened against Brentford last week. That way lies madness and another poor performance, only this time in front of the entire nation.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

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We asked you to rate Fulham's start to the Premier League season and tell us what Alvaro Arbeloa should be focusing on during the extended international break.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: It's been a bad start, there's no getting away from that. The three games after the international break are massive; seven points from them and suddenly we can start to look forward to another good season. But, if we keep making defensive mistakes, conceding late and losing by the odd goal, then I suspect Mr Dyche may be getting a call in November.

James: Worried. Our highly talented squad really needed this break to work together. We need at least one more striker. Next few games are must wins.

Robert: Think Arbeloa has been very naive in his approach in the first games -hopefully he is learning on the job but the performances of the three promoted sides has increased the need to get at least six points from the next three games against them to propel the team forward. If we don't win any of them I cannot see him surviving.

Quinn: It's been difficult. Playing well, just not enough bite or resilience. Hopefully the break will allow everyone time to reflect and come back stronger. I'm not going to criticise any individuals because I don't think it helps and feels demoralising. Just hope 'we' can find solutions and get some crucial points over our next three games.

Rohan: I feel as though, while the results may not reflect it, Fulham are showing real signs of promise and growth in the early stages of Arbeloa's reign. We now have a solid squad and, if Garcia Gonzalo starts performing we could start getting some good results.

Duffy: It was always going to be tough start with an inexperienced manager, new young players and no easy games. But the gamble could pay off, there are real signs of promise - for example, Josh King is now blossoming into a top-class player. Let's hope we get the results we deserve when season restarts.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham fan Lorraine Hughes says supporters "are much happier than they were" after an improvement in performances in recent weeks.

The Cottagers lost their first three league matches under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa but have rallied with draws against Liverpool and Manchester United.

"Fulham had one of the hardest opening runs in terms of fixtures so it was always going to be a tough time for us, especially with a new manager and new recruits to bed in," Hughes told BBC Radio London.

"Arbeloa wants to play exciting, attacking football with a high press - which is great - but he has learned quickly that this can't be at the expense of an effective defence.

"It has looked like we've turned a corner, though, with consecutive draws against Manchester United and Liverpool, and a good win in the cup against West Ham.

"Arbeloa has the balance right now. He has shored up the defence with a much- needed pacy centre back in David Affengruber in place of Joachim Anderson. He has figured out the right combination for our defensive midfielders in Sander Berge and Shea Charles. He has got Alex Iwobi back in the attacking, free-roaming role that suits him. And he has Josh King playing out of his skin.

"We are creating a lot of chances but we need to be more clinical. But, it's all work in progress and fans are much happier than they were."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

As we enter the season's first international break, we want to hear your thoughts on the opening five games of the Premier League.

It has been a difficult start to life under Alvaro Arbeloa and Fulham sit second bottom without a win going into the extended break.

However, there have been signs of life - and greater stability - in the last two games, which ended in creditable draws against Liverpool and Manchester United.

How do you rate the Cottagers' start to the season and why? And what should Arbeloa be focusing on during the extended break?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Fulham and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Jeremy: A young team learning their trade. So close to a memorable win. Calvin Bassey/David Affengruber are building a great pairing. Joachim Andersen is causing us issues, after a great few years. Let the youngsters loose with Bernd Leno and Alex Iwobi.

Gordon: We played really well. Once we made the last substitutions, we set up to defend and that was our mistake. If we had taken Josh King off but replaced him with Emile Smith Rowe, we might have kept them more at bay and held on for the win. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. The team and manager should be proud of the performance but keep chins up and make sure our next game is as good. Keep the faith.

Keith: Have been a Fulham fan since 1974 with all the ups and downs. Can any Fulham fan please tell me why it seems we cannot defend a lead and concede so many late goals? Surely it must frustrate many Fulham fans and not just me.

Hillary: Just bad luck for the London boys. They were resilient and put pressure on the Red Devils - a draw wasn't bad, though.

Man Utd fans

Nigel: That was difficult to watch. Slow, laboured build-up with too many square and back passes. Once United reached the final third, the forward momentum halted and the ball inevitably went back or square. None of the forwards are producing the goods. It is clear to me that the starting eleven are a collection of individuals not yet gelling as a team. Michael Carrick must find a solution to that over the international break.

Peter: We learned that this team is not tactically good enough to do what we expect. Is it the players? Or the management team? Is it the owners? Is it all three? Whatever it is, this must be resolved sooner rather than later. With the Champions League looming, this could be embarrassing!

Mohammad: This team is disjointed with no leadership on the field. A bits-and-pieces team with lack of effort and lack of teamwork. You cannot score goals with nobody in the penalty area. Trying to do too much meaningless passing with every position, not performing to Premier League standards, whether it's the goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, or nothing going forward.

Mike: How have Manchester United gone from beating Manchester City, Arsenal and getting into top four after a rough start last season... to this mess again? They don't look like they have the desire. Same man in charge but a completely different looking team?

Fulham, Liverpool,Manchester City, and Tottenhamare among several Premier League clubs monitoring 24-year-old Venezuela and Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu. (Teamtalk), external

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Fulham starting XI:

Bernd Leno: On his toes to make an early save from Lisandro Martinez and scrambling when Matheus Cunha's effort looped onto a post. Denied Bryan Mbeumo with a full-length save. 7

Timothy Castagne: Booked for bringing Marcus Rashford down as Manchester United broke in the second half. 6

David Affengruber: Excellent defence-splitting pass to release Josh King, but he couldn't finish. Exceptionally fortunate to escape after being outwitted by Matheus Cunha close to the goalline but stepped in to take the ball off Bryan Mbeumo as he looked to counter. 7

Calvin Bassey: Not the easiest game positionally as Manchester United played without an orthodox centre-forward. Got forward to create Fulham's goal. 7

Antonee Robinson: Pushed into advanced areas in the inside forward position, which caused the visitors a defensive issue. 7

Sander Berge (Off, Larsson 76): Shot from the edge of the area turned away by Senne Lammens. 7

Shea Charles: Midfield partnership with Berge key in protecting Fulham defence when the visitors had extended spells of possession around the home area. Passing let him down on occasion. 6

Oscar Bobb (off Kevin, 70): Rolled an effort just wide of the post and probably should have done better. 6

Josh King (off Andersen, 79): Always looking to get on the ball and threaten. Took a good save from Lammens to deny him at the far post and his shot across goal was going in without the visitors' keeper kicking it away. Blotted his copybook by getting booked for diving. 8

Alex Iwobi (off Palacios, 70): Also tried to exploit the inside left channel when Fulham went forward. Low cross almost created a chance for Gonzalo Garcia and another deep one did for King. 7

Gonzalo Garcia (off Muniz, 79): Half a stride away from having a tap-in from an Iwobi cross from the left. 6

Fulham substitutes:

Palacios (on 70, Iwobi): Kept Fulham ticking over. 6

Kevin (on 70, Bobb): Settled in well. 6

Larsson (on 76, Berge): 6

Muniz (on 79, Garcia): 6

Andersen (on 79, King): 6

Subs not used:

Lecomte, Manuel Angel, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Following three consecutive losses to start the season, Fulham might not have been thrilled to see a trip to Anfield and the visit of Manchester United as their next fixtures.

But they could yet prove two of the most important games of Alvaro Arbeloa's reign.

Two points gained, a feeling that with a little more luck they could have won either, and more than enough in the performances to see what the Spaniard wants from his side.

As at Liverpool last weekend, there was some eye-catching football on show from Fulham, playing out from the back and going smoothly from one end to the other in a flash.

The exciting Josh King, still just 19, will rightly be praised for his showing but perhaps the key for the west Londoners will be the vastly underrated Alex Iwobi.

The former Arsenal and Everton midfielder is 30, and has matured into an incredibly smart, if unglamourous player.

Playing from the left, he is responsible for conducting so many of Fulham's attacks and more often than not his decision is the right one as shown by his game-high five chances created, all without misplacing a pass.

With Bernd Leno in fine form, perhaps the one thing Arbeloa's team most need now is new striker Gonzalo Garcia to find his feet - and, more importantly, the net.

Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm upset because we were so close, very unlucky with the goal we conceded. It is what it is, we need to keep working and improving. We knew this month would be difficult against top teams. I think we are in a good way.

"Both goalkeepers did good saves, many chances for both teams, two strange goals. Obviously we are upset to concede at the end.

"Calvin [Bassey] is one of the best at the back in the Premier League, he plays at a high level with and without the ball. He is doing so good.

"We have young players but also players with experience, like Sander [Berge] and Alex [Iwobi]. We have a good mix.

"We want points, that's the most important thing, but I think my players are working hard and open to learn. They are playing in the way we want to play. If we continue playing this way the victories will come.

"We now have three weeks without many players, some stay here and we will work with them. When they come back we will start again."

Did you know?

• This is just the fourth time that Fulham have failed to win any of their opening five games in a top-flight campaign (with 1951-52, 2011-12 and 2020-21), while they have been relegated in two of the previous three (51-52 and 20-21).

• There were 26 shots in the first half of this match between Fulham (nine) and Manchester United (17), the most in the opening half of a Premier League game with no goals scored on record (since 2003-04).