“We didn’t even fight”: Furious Arbeloa tears into Fulham after late Sunderland strike sinks winless Cottagers | OneFootball

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has slammed his team for a lack of fight after losing 1-0 at Sunderland.

Fulham remain without a point after opening thePremier League season with consecutive losses, after a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at The Stadium of Light.

The visitors had the majority of the ball in the contest, but failed to make the most of their opportunities in the game. Wilson Isidor's 78th-minute effort eventually decided the game as Fulham failed to earn a first point of the campaign.

Speaking toSky Sports at full-time, Arbeloa pulled no punches in his assessment. The Spaniard criticised his side for a lack of effort, fight, and technical quality.

"We didn't even fight, we didn't run, poor technical level. We were not in the game. We started the second half better for 10 or 15 minutes bit a game is 90 minutes and we deserved to lose today.

"Against Chelsea at home, it/s too easy to run and fight but you have to do it every game. We are going to have some bad days with the ball but I didn't like the attitude of my team.

"It's about the character, the mentality, and ambition. We didn't win any second balls. We want to be competitive, it's the most important thing for a team. Today I think we were not at our level.

"We have been working so hard during pre-season and the game against Chelsea, I saw the attitude I want to see in my team. It has to be away too. Sunderland is a tough team in a difficult stadium but we need to show something more.

"We have a week to prepare for the game with Palace at home. We know how important that will be. We have to work as hard as we can. We need to fight for every ball and we need to run from the first minute to the final whistle. We have to realise we are Fulham and we have to fight."