Jol enjoyed second half
Martin Jol enjoyed Fulham's second-half performance against Man Utd after admitting his team had been 'too modest' in the first period.
Last Updated: 25/08/12 6:42pm
Martin Jol enjoyed Fulham's second-half performance against Manchester United after admitting his team had been 'too modest' in the first period.
Fulham lost 3-2 at Old Trafford, but gave their hosts a scare after applying sustained pressure during the closing stages.
Damien Duff had given the Cottagers an early lead, but goals from Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa and Rafael had United in control at half-time.
A calamitous mix-up saw Nemanja Vidic divert the ball into his own net with 25 minutes to go and the impressive Moussa Dembele spearheaded Fulham's push for an equaliser.
Jol was pleased with the response from his players after the interval after being slightly disappointed by the way they failed to build on the opening goal.
Unacceptable
"We're a football team and if we do that we can control games, even away from home against United, and that was why it was unacceptable for us," Jol told Sky Sports.
"Maybe we were too modest, maybe because of the size of the club.
"But in the second half we promised ourselves that we would play the football we can play and that was a lot better, and I have to say I enjoyed the second half."
United had dropped Wayne Rooney to the bench and Jol was surprised that the England international, who was stretchered off late on, did not start alongside Van Persie.
Jol added: "I was surprised. I thought Van Persie and Rooney would play.
"I know Kagawa from my time in Germany and I knew he would not play on the left. I thought it might have been an advantage because my players did not know him.
"He is a quality player. But Rooney is a fantastic player as well."