Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has admitted that the team must improve on their defending of set-pieces after they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Everton in the EPL on Saturday, SportPremi reports.
The Cottagers had beaten Wolves 3-0 last weekend, but could not build on that victory and suffered another defeat on the road.
Bassey, who was recently named to Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers for Nigeria, played the entire 90 minutes in the encounter, but could not help his side to a clean sheet.
Idrissa Gueye Gana opened scoring in the first half, before Michael Keane added a second from a corner kick late in the game to seal the win.
Everton recorded a first win in four league matches, while Fulham suffered their fifth loss in seven games in all competitions.
Bassey calls for improvement
Calvin Bassey has become an integral part of Marco Silva’s side since his arrival at the club and was named player of the season for the 2024-25 campaign.
The Super Eagles center back has played all of the Cottagers’ 11 league matches this season, starting 10 of those games including Saturday’s defeat.
Speaking in an interview after the match, the 25-year-old identified set-pieces as a major vulnerability and called for improvement from the team.
“I mean, we knew this game was going to be a fight. Beto, Barry, they’re all fighters, and they made life difficult for us. We were prepared, and I just got a little knock, but I’m fine”, the Nigerian defender admitted.
“I just think we could’ve been more dynamic, maybe in the first half. We could’ve controlled the game better. We had control, and we just kind of lost control again, and I mean, we just have to do better in set-pieces.
“We’ve conceded 16 goals, and 10 of them have been from set-pieces or personal errors, so we’ve got to do better”, Bassey added.
“Now, it’s time to go away, and for the boys to focus on the national team. It gives everyone a chance to breathe before we get on and back in the Prem.”
What Next?
Fulham have the opportunity to reset with no action for the next two weeks due to the international break, but are back in league action with a clash against the high-flying Sunderland on the 22nd of November.
Everton, on the other hand, face Manchester United at Old Trafford on the 24th of November.
