Arbeloa: We Deserved Something More

Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa expressed mixed feelings following the 2-3 defeat to Chelsea in their Premier League season opener. The Spanish coach shared that he was extremely proud of his players' courage and character but admitted that childish defensive errors cost them the game.

"We conceded in the first minute of the match, at the end of the first half, and right at the start of the second. Realistically, there are no worse moments to concede a goal. Despite this, our team showed real character and personality on the pitch, which is why I'm extremely proud of my players' reaction. We deserved a bit more from this match, but football isn't about what you deserve, it's about what you actually take from the game," Arbeloa began.

He did not hide his disappointment with the manner in which Chelsea scored their goals at Craven Cottage.

"If you're going to lose against a team of Chelsea's calibre, they should have to work much harder to beat you. I think we gifted them goals that were far too easy, coming from our own clear mistakes, and these are things we simply cannot afford to do at this level. We must improve defensively and be fully focused from the very first second of the match, that's for sure," the Spaniard added.

Despite the negative result, the manager expressed great optimism for Fulham's future and praised the young additions to the squad.

"We are at the beginning of our journey and will only get better. The first thing I want to see on the pitch is a truly competitive team. Tonight, we were exactly that – we gave our best and tried to play our football against an opponent like Chelsea, which is not easy at all. I have complete faith in these lads, especially our younger players. They have the energy and ambition I demand, and they fit my style perfectly. Josh King was absolutely incredible on the pitch; it's a real pleasure to have a player like him. Gonzalo García scored a goal, and César Palacios also performed at an excellent level. They still need a bit of time to adapt, but they are already making a serious impression with their play," the manager concluded.