Riise relieved to have halted losing streak at three

Fulham left-back John Arne Riise concedes their victory over Norwich may not have been pretty but was vitally important after a three-game losing streak.

The west Londoners went into Saturday’s match on the back of defeats to Aston Villa, Swansea and Manchester United, but did enough to overcome the resilient Canaries 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

Early goals from Clint Dempsey and Damien Duff gave Fulham a comfortable lead, although they endured a nervy ending after substitute Aaron Wilbraham reduced the deficit with 13 minutes remaining.

Fulham held out for three points despite the late onslaught, much to the delight of Riise.

“I think we played well in the first half and should have scored a few more goals to maybe kill the game off,” the Norway international said.

“We knew they were going to keep pushing us in the second half and we tried to be compact and take our chances.

“But we didn’t play well in the second half, we let them come back into the game and when they scored we just defended with everything we had.

“They could have nicked the draw but we are very happy because after three defeats in a row we need that win.”

Riise and his team-mates may be buoyed by the victory, but serious questions remain over their concentration.

Wilbraham’s goal for Norwich was the 17th goal the Cottagers have conceded in the final 15 minutes of league games this season — more than any other team.

“I don’t know what it is, it just seems to happen to us,” Riise added.

“We know we normally play well at home and kill the games off, but if we don’t do that they get a goal, they gain momentum and put pressure on us.

“Norwich scored and they got the momentum and we just couldn’t keep the ball. That was the problem in the second half.”

Norwich boss Paul Lambert felt hard done by but also proud of his side’s efforts.

“We should have got something,” he said. “We were immense in that second half.

“You can’t give teams a two-goal head-start. It is a mountain to climb from there but the response was absolutely terrific.”

“When you lose a goal really early it is the worst start you can get. There was another one not long after but after that, while we had given ourselves a lot to do, the performance in the second half especially was excellent.”