Marco Silva's top five Fulham moments
Don't be sad it's over...
So, that’s it. Marco Silva’s left Fulham after five years. The writing was on the wall and now the search for the man to kickstart our new era begins.
Regardless of the slightly protracted ending, there can be no denying the impact Marco has had on this football club. He arrived when we were in a bit of a state; we couldn’t figure out the formula for Premier League survival, and were in danger of yo-yo-ing between there and the Champ for the foreseeable. Silva’s not only stabilised us in the top flight, he’s given us some unforgettable moments along the way.
Thanks, gaffer. It’s a tough ask, but here are what I believe are your top five moments at Fulham FC.
1. 19 goals in a week
Crikey, we were incredible in the Championship, weren’t we?
106 goals across the campaign tells its own story, but we all remember that one week in January when we were truly unstoppable.
It all started at the Madejski against a perennial thorn in our side when it came to the second tier. No fewer than five Fulham players got on the scoresheet in a 7-0 win against Reading, with Harry Wilson standing out, scoring two and being involved in four others.
Four days later we battered Bristol City 6-2 to go top of the league, with Mitro banging a hat trick.
Birmingham City would be our next opponents, and it’s fair to say manager Lee Bowyer wasn’t relishing the challenge. And he was right not to - the Blues suffered defeat by the exact same scoreline three days later.
What a week.
2. 7-0 v Luton and lifting the Championship
It was the perfect day at the Cottage.
The culmination of a glorious campaign. We all arrived simply excited to see Tom Cairney lift the trophy, but the 90 minutes that preceded it was the rum-soaked cherry on top of the delicious cake.
TC himself bagged our milestone 100th goal of the incredible campaign. Records were broken too, lest we forget. Mitro bagged his 43rd of the season, leaving him as the outright modern-day top scorer in the Championship. A record that is unlikely to be topped.
3. Wilson stings the Bees
Who put the ball in the Brentford net?
It’s added time in the West London derby and we’re trailing, despite being the better side on the night. Up steps Harry Wilson - twice.
His first - a flick with the outside of his boot - had the better technique, but the best was yet to come.
Five minutes later he meets a Jedi ball with his head to nod in the winner and send the Cottage into absolute bedlam.
4. Rodrigo at Stamford Bridge
After bringing us up and keeping us up, perhaps the thing I’ll remember Silva for most is making us so competitive in London derbies.
We have beaten Chelsea three times under Marco, having waited 16 years. Twice at the Cottage - the Vinicius winner and the latest W in January. But this win at the Bridge was even sweeter. We hadn’t won there in 45 years. Marco was the mastermind, bringing on goalscorers Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz, with the latter banging in the winner in the sixth minute of added time.
What a Christmas gift.
5. Exorcising the demons of Old Trafford
March 2023 was perhaps Marco Silva’s biggest “what if?” moment at Fulham.
Leading in our FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford, we were 15 minutes from Wembley. Come full-time, we were out of the cup, with nine men left on the pitch and Marco in the stands.
Fast-forward two years and we’re back at Old Trafford, this time in the fifth round. This time, however, we vanquished the haunting memories, disposing of the holders 4-3 on penalties. Bad memories: purged.
The win led to arguably an even bigger “what if?” moment, of course, as Crystal Palace swept us aside on route to winning their first ever major trophy, before going on to win the Community Shield and then Europa Conference League. I still feel a level of jealousy I’ve never felt before typing all that out.
Many of us thought Silva would be the man to bring major silverware to Craven Cottage. And though we were often in the conversation when it came to the final eight sides in any domestic competition, it wasn’t to be.
Our new man will write his own top five moments. I’m excited for what they’ll be.