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End-of-season report: Fulham

End-of-season report: Fulham
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Sports Mole reviews Fulham's solid season in the Premier League.

Due to the club's Europa League commitments, Fulham's season began in June where they overcame NSI Runavik 3-0 on aggregate, ahead of what proved to be a tiring season.

A combination of Martin Jol's coaching abilities and goals from Clint Dempsey have led the club to an extremely successful season, however, with the club ultimately finishing ninth spot in the table.

So often a club with relatively few off-the-field problems, they have thrived under the smart and controlled ownership of Mohamed Al-Fayed.

With that in mind, Sports Mole has reviewed what turned out to a successful season for the West London club.

June and July

The club began their season in June due to Europa League commitments, and advanced to the latter stages of qualifying after overcoming NSI Runaik, Crusaders and RNK Split in a tough early season programme.

August

The club secured some key players ahead of the new season, with experienced defender John Arne Riise and exciting forward Bryan Ruiz, among others, signing for the club.

They began their league campaign with a 0-0 draw to Aston Villa, while they ensured qualification for the Europa League group stages by overcoming Dnipro in two legs.

They tasted disappointment in their last two league fixtures of the month, however, as they were defeated by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United.

September

They remained without a league win entering September and consecutive draws against Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion made it six league games without a win.

They remained unbeaten in the Europa League, however, drawing 2-2 with Twente and beating Odense BK, but they were eliminated from the Carling Cup by Chelsea after losing 4-3 on penalties.

October

The club recorded their first Premier League win of the season in some style
as they beat Queens Park Rangers 6-0, but they lost their next two to Stoke City and Everton.

They also tasted disappointment in the Europa League as they lost against Wisla Krakow to a late strike.

November

They secured immediate revenge over Wisla Krakow as they opened the month with a 4-1 win, but they were beaten 3-1 by an impressive Tottenham Hotspur team in the Premier League.

The month ended with relative success as they recorded league draws against Sunderland and Arsenal, but they continued to struggle for that winning formula.

December

December proved to be a month of mixed fortunes as they opened up with a European loss to FC Twente, but they did record a 1-0 win over Liverpool on December 5.

Their next match ended in a 2-0 loss at Swansea City, while they were eliminated from the Europa League after a 2-2 draw with Odense BK.

They beat Bolton Wanderers as the Christmas period approached but perhaps their biggest disappointment of the season emerged as they lost 5-0 to Manchester United on December 21. They ended the month with draws against Chelsea and Norwich City.

January

The New Year began in fine fashion for Jol's side as they beat Arsenal 2-1 at Craven Cottage, while they advanced in the FA Cup after overcoming Charlton, with Dempsey beginning to find some serious form.

They lost to Blackburn Rovers midway through the month, but did recover to beat Newcastle United 5-2 after falling behind at home.

The month ended in disappointment, however, as they were dumped out of the FA Cup after losing against Everton.

They also brought in Pavel Pogrebnyak, who proved to be a welcome addition ahead of the remaining months of the season.

February

February proved to a fairly successful month for the club as they drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion, but they lost 3-0 to a stubborn Manchester City team on Feb 4.

The month ended with back-to-back wins against Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers, however, with the new boy Pogrebnyak among the goals for his new club.

March

March began with a thumping 5-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they lost their next three to Aston Villa, Swansea City and Manchester United.

They did beat Norwich City at the end of the month, however, with Moussa Dembele beginning to catch the eye with his controlled midfield presence.

April

April proved to be a successful month for the club as they overcame Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic, while they claimed a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea.

They did lose 4-0 to Everton late in the month, but that did nothing to dampen their resurgence in form.

May

May got off to the best possible start for the club with wins over Liverpool, at Anfield, and Sunderland, to put the club right at the forefront of the Premier League form table.

Dempsey also continued his wonderful scoring season by registering his 17th league goal of the season.

A final day loss to Spurs ensured a ninth-place finish for the Cottagers, who end the season level on points with eighth-placed Liverpool.

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