ALEX Iwobi accepts Fulham were second best in last night’s SW6 derby at Craven Cottage which saw Chelsea emerge as comfortable 2-0 victors.
There was a lucky escape for the hosts when Armando Broja blazed an early shot inexplicably over the bar before they were eventually undone by Mykailo Mudryk’s 18th minute strike.
Moments later Tim Ream’s pass was intercepted by Cole Palmer and when the Fulham defender attempted to cut out his delivery into the box, the ball came off the shin of Broja for Chelsea’s second.
Marco Silva made four changes in the second half to try and get Fulham back in contention, including the 54th minute introduction of Iwobi for Harry Wilson.
But Chelsea remained largely in control, leaving the recent capture from Everton to reflect the better team had won on the night.
Iwobi said: “Of course it is not the way we wanted to play in a derby, we wanted to get the result and today that wasn’t meant to be.
“But we can’t dwell on it, we have dust ourselves off and go again.
“Chelsea played very well and we have to give credit to them.
“A few mistakes cost us a couple of goals, but you have to give credit where credit is due – they did well today.”
Iwobi and fellow substitute Carlos Vinicius were already getting prepared to come on at the interval so the former Arsenal youngster was able to reveal much about what Silva had said to the team at the break.
“To be fair I missed most of it because I was warming up with Vinny,” explained Iwobi.
“But when I came back in the main thing I heard was just to be a bit more dynamic on the ball, to be brave and get on the ball.
“We did show them a lot of respect, but we need to remember we are good players ourselves and we should have showed that a bit more.”
Iwobi is still searching for his first Premier League start at his new club but is happy to play whatever role he can for now, even if it means coming off the bench again like he did on Monday night.
“I feel like I added a bit of energy to the game,” he said.
“That is what the manager told me to do – just to be dynamic when we have the ball and (bring) a lot more movement.
“Me, Vinny, TC (Tom Cairney) and Sasha (Lukic)when we came on, we created a bit more energy and that is what the manager told us to do.
“We’ve got players on the bench as well as the ones who are starting.
“It is a squad thing, it isn’t just a starting XI.
“We are going to need our squad to be ready to play, especially in big games like this. It is good to be a part of that.
“It is not easy and I’m working to try and get a start as well but there are so many quality players in the team all deserving a start.
“Whenever my time comes I will just be patient and try and take my chance.”
So does Iwobi feel he is getting any closer to being named in the starting XI for a top flight game by Silva?
“That is a question for the manager,” he replied.
“I feel good, I feel sharp and ready.
“Even if I am a sub and not starting, I’m just going to give it 100 percent.
“Whatever I’m told to do, I will just do my best.”
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