'We blame ourselves' - Super Eagles duo Iwobi, Chukwueze and teammates slammed after disappointing defeat

Fulham manager Marco Silva did not hold back following a frustrating afternoon that saw a dominant start evaporate into a disappointing defeat.

Despite boasting a squad bolstered by the Super Eagles duo of Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, with Calvin Bassey benched, the Cottagers failed to capitalise on their early superiority in 2-1 defeat to Everton, leaving their manager questioning the team’s mentality.

Fulham appeared to be in total control during the opening 45 minutes, creating a flurry of chances that should have put the result beyond doubt. However, a failure to convert those opportunities into a commanding lead proved fatal.

"It is normal when you lose the game we lose the game we lost. It has to be disappointing," Silva remarked after the final whistle. "The game at half time should have been decided. It should have been 4-0, 4-1. At this level you have to be ruthless."

The second half told a different story, as the intensity dropped and defensive lapses allowed the opposition back into the contest. Silva was particularly critical of the lack of steel shown by his players, including his key Nigerian internationals, as the game slipped away.

"It was a good first half and second half was completely the opposite," Silva explained. "We can only blame ourselves. The way we lost this afternoon should be a real learning point for us because at this level you cannot be soft and we were too soft. The way we defended, we are too soft."

No Excuses for Defensive Lapses

While controversial moments often define close matches, Silva refused to point the finger at officials or external factors.

Regarding the winning goal that sealed Fulham's fate, the coach insisted that the responsibility lies solely within the dressing room.

"We can blame many things about decisions but we have to look at ourselves much more than other things. We have to look at ourselves and blame ourselves."

The defeat serves as a stern reminder for the Super Eagles stars and the rest of the Fulham squad that dominance without a clinical edge is a recipe for disaster in the Premier League.