Fulham 2 Aston Villa 0
Fulham: Sidwell 21', Berbatov (pen) 30'
Man of the match: Dimitar Berbatov (Fulham)
London // Chairmen and owners are often criticised for dismissing managers. Occasionally, however, there should be recognition that, sad as it is to see a man lose his job, change was required and right.
A week after the affable Martin Jol’s reign at Craven Cottage was ended, Fulham ended their losing run, recorded a first triumph under his successor, Rene Meulensteen, and looked like a team transformed.
Revitalised and rejuvenated, they brought a run of seven successive defeats to an end in emphatic fashion. Aston Villa arrived with an enviable away record and departed demolished.
It amounted to vindication for the American owner Shahid Khan and an endorsement of Meulensteen.
Much as it was a miserable weekend for the modern-day Manchester United, two figures from their past prospered.
Dimitar Berbatov, still their record signing, scored and starred and Meulensteen, their first-team coach for the last five years, masterminded his first win.
“I couldn’t be more delighted,” said the Dutchman. “The fans can see we are back on track.”
If so, however, they have taken a radical route. Perhaps the experience of working for Sir Alex Ferguson encouraged Meulensteen to be decisive, because he has taken dramatic steps.
He made seven changes for his first game in charge, Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham, and has reinvented Steve Sidwell as an attacking midfielder.
It was a switch that paid dividends. Meeting Ashkan Dejagah’s through ball, Sidwell, a former Villa player, managed to finish from an improbable angle, somehow scooping a shot over Brad Guzan for the opening goal.
Parity had only been preserved until then because of a rearguard action.
Seconds after Ciaran Clark made a perfectly timed last-ditch tackle on Dejagah, Nathan Baker cleared Alex Kacaniklic’s shot off the line, while Guzan had already repelled Berbatov’s header.
Goals had been in short supply for the Bulgarian, who lost the captaincy to Scott Parker as Fulham became embroiled in a relegation battle.
It was an understandable switch: a man as understated and nonchalant as Berbatov will inevitably have his attitude questioned when results are not forthcoming, and his agent’s declaration that the forward wanted to leave hardly helped.
“He’s fully committed to Fulham,” Meulensteen insisted.
While there was evidence of Berbatov’s oft-concealed desire – a first-minute charge along the right wing signalled his intent – the striker’s greatest contribution came courtesy of his class.
“He showed what he is capable of,” his manager said.
Berbatov casually rolled in the second goal from the penalty spot. He had played a part in its award, too, releasing Kacaniklic with a delectable first-time flick from the centre circle. It sent the Swede scurrying into the box, where he was upended by Leandro Bacuna.
“Football is about decisions and opinions,” Meulensteen said.
His Villa counterpart was less philosophical.
“The lad has backed into Leo,” Paul Lambert said. “The referee has bought it.”
It was one of two penalty decisions to irritate him. Gabriel Agbonlahor was denied a spot kick when tripped by Aaron Hughes.
“That was an absolute stonewaller,” Lambert said.
If he was aggrieved by the officiating, however, his side may have been flattered by the score. Fulham were in complete control and the surprise was that a third goal did not arrive.
Chris Herd also cleared off his own line to spare teammate Clark an own goal while John Arne Riise, who had fallen out of favour under Jol, hit the post after a cross from Giorgos Karagounis, who belied his 36 years with a performance of boundless energy.
“We were quality going forward,” Meulensteen said, after they drew level on points with Crystal Palace and West Ham. “It’s so tight in the league.”
sports@thenational.ae
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Ajax v Real Madrid, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
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