Fulham's 1-0 win over Hull City marks Arbeloa's first Premier League victory

Alvaro Arbeloa celebrated his first Premier League victory as Fulham manager with a 1-0 win over Hull City at Craven Cottage. The result lifted Fulham out of the relegation zone, providing much-needed relief for the under-pressure coach. Arbeloa had faced scrutiny regarding his future, but Alex Iwobi's goal in the first half proved decisive in securing the three points for the Cottagers.

Iwobi scored in the 34th minute, finishing a well-crafted move that saw the ball slip through the hands of Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. Fulham dominated the first half, registering ten shots and maintaining pressure on the Hull defence. Despite creating several chances, including a near miss from Iwobi and a header from Gonzalo Garcia that hit the crossbar, Fulham could not extend their lead further.

The second half saw Fulham continue to press, but they faced a nervy finish after Ryan Sessegnon received a red card in stoppage time for a challenge on Hull's Robinio Vaz. The dismissal left Fulham with ten men for the closing moments of the match, but they managed to hold on for the victory. Hull struggled to make an impact throughout the game, failing to impose themselves on the contest.

Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic expressed disappointment with his team's performance, labelling it the worst since he took charge. He acknowledged Fulham's superiority in every aspect of the game and called for his players to take responsibility for their shortcomings. Jakirovic's comments highlighted the stark contrast in performance levels between the two teams during the match.

Arbeloa's win provides a crucial boost for Fulham and gives him breathing space as he looks to implement his vision for the team. He expressed pride in his players' character and belief, emphasising their commitment to his methods despite earlier struggles. The victory could mark a turning point for Arbeloa's tenure, but the challenge remains to build on this success in upcoming fixtures.

via Sky Sports