It's mid-season and Fulham fans can dare to dream of Europe

Dropped points 

Fulham were set to go level on points with Manchester City at the halfway point of the season, but another late goal conceded and more dropped points left Fulham in eighth place.

After the 76th minute, Fulham have conceded eight goals this season, the third-worst record in the Premier League. 

Conceding late has been a theme throughout the season, with points dropped away at Manchester United, Everton and Liverpool, as well as against Bournemouth and West Ham at home. 

Fulham Vavel writer Liam Soanes said: “Conceding late is one of the things stopping us from being a nailed-on side for Europe.”

Fulham have struggled after half-time this season. Between the 45th and 60th minute, they were the second worst team in the league, conceding nine and only scoring once. 

With a push for Europe seeming a possibility during the second half of the season, Fulham will have to improve their ability to see out games.

Being solid at all times is crucial to being a good side, and Fulham have lacked the ability to dominate entire games at the beginning of the season.

Antonee Robinson leads the league for interceptions in the first half of the season with his energy and determination allowing Fulham to dominate games, winning the ball high up the pitch to punish teams on the break.

Despite being left out of the team for large parts of last season, Kenny Tete has helped to stabilise the defence with his interception numbers in the top ten as he stays back, allowing Robinson to fly forward down the left, giving the side more balance.

Playing Andreas Pereira deeper into the midfield was a clever way of shifting the team's identity. It put the Whites more on the front foot and allowed them to press high and pounce when they had the ball.

Sasa Lukic has come into his own this season as the only defensive midfielder in the side. He has been dominant with his passing, setting Fulham away, and his ability to read play helps to take pressure away from the backline. 

Alex Iwobi has been a revelation in the Fulham side this season, with his performance level crucial in the way that Fulham play. With the departure of Willian last season, Fulham needed a replacement who had the same ball carrying ability, and Iwobi has stepped up to the challenge.

Despite several system changes, Iwobi has never dropped his performance levels whether he is played on the right, left, as a wing back, or in midfield, and has shown his versatility and class throughout the season.

This style has made Fulham brilliant to watch and gives them a chance to win every game. Even the best sides in the league have struggled against Fulham this season.

A chance to push for Europe is definitely something Fulham fans should get excited about, but with the competition in the league this year at an all-time high, it’s impossible to predict.