Fulham boss Scott Parker happy with a point at The Den – and gives his opinion on Millwall goal
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Scott Parker was left happy with Fulham picking up a point at Millwall – conceding that the South London hosts were on top in the first half.
The former Charlton Athletic midfielder had seen Aleksandar Mitrovic poke the Whites into a lead inside three minutes.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson levelled – with strong claims by Fulham that the Icelandic international and Shaun Hutchinson were both offside. The question was whether Josh Onomah got the touch to stop the goal being ruled out.
Jed Wallace failed to convert a penalty for Millwall in the first period.
Parker said: “It was clear as day that there were two players offside.
“Who it comes off, maybe that’s in question, but it’s such a big call in that moment.
“There is something we can categorically say and that is there are two players standing in an offside position at the moment. For me I’d obviously sit here and say it – but I think anyone would feel a little unjust when a goal is given because there is clearly an advantage. Two of their players are standing in an offside position.
“I felt like our reaction after the goal was pretty poor and the first half we turned the game into the way Millwall wanted it to be. They were probably the better side, in that sense. Fortunate that the boy misses the penalty.
“Second half I feel like we get a grip on the game and stamp our mark on it, which I asked at half time.
“We needed to be more brave. I get that conditions and the pitch were not conducive at times to play that way. But certainly that’s the way I want my team to play and that’s the way we have to play.
“We had to take the sting out of the game here. It’s a hostile place to come. In the first half they were really in the ascendency and we never did anything to take the sting out of it. Battle, fight – yeah we did that for the whole game. But character and bravery on the ball, we did that second half. We limited them to very few chances.
“It’s just a shame that one didn’t go our way and get the win.”
Asked if he was happy with a draw, Parker replied: “I think so. It’s six unbeaten now. It’s tough to break down a back five. Games like this are always going to be limited in chances. The one that hits the bar at the end, you’d like to think one drops in.
“It wasn’t the case but we move on, dust ourselves down and look forward to Saturday against Barnsley and trying to get the points there.”
Fulham could have Anthony Knockaert back for Saturday’s home game against the Tykes.
Parker said: “I hope so. He fell ill yesterday. Anthony was a big loss for us. He’s just come back from an injury and trained well this week and was going to be involved tonight.
“Hopefully he’ll come out the other side and be a bit closer to Saturday.”
PICTURES BY KEITH GILLARD
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