Odobert and Berge stun Fulham to boost Burnley’s survival hopes

History was made as Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee a Premier League game. Burnley can create some history of their own if they avoid relegation. On eight points after 17 games before today’s victory, when the fewest any club at this stage of the season has survived with is 10, theirs is a desperate fight for survival. Victory at Craven Cottage taking them off the bottom after Wilson Odobert’s spectacular strike and Sander Berge’s equally well-hit goal will do nicely for the struggle ahead.

Fulham, dominant but blunt in the first half, were well beaten, and no amount of blaming the officials could excuse a second-half showing in which they were inferior to opponents who suddenly found inspiration. Not that the referee could be blamed: Welch made a quiet, assured debut and it was Fulham’s players who took full opprobrium from their audibly disappointed fans.

Welch received a ripple of applause during her warmup, a collector’s item in itself for referees, and had female company in her ear with Natalie Aspinall serving as the assistant VAR. Craven Cottage’s genteel reputation had perhaps played its part in this match being chosen for a groundbreaking occasion

In the early stages, as the game settled into a low-tempo lilt, the rookie ref appeared happy to let things flow, far less pernickety than some of her colleagues. It took until the 22nd minute for the first foul to be awarded, a stonewaller as Jordan Beyer tripped up the speeding Andreas Pereira. That decision was cheered by the home fans who were less amused when Calvin Bassey was penalised – and booked – for a hand-off on Josh Brownhill. Thus rang out the first “you don’t know what you’re doing” chant of Welch’s top-flight career.

It wasn’t until the 13th minute that there had been a shot in anger, Harry Wilson forcing a save from James Trafford with the outside of his boot. On Fulham’s left side, Alex Iwobi was granted space aplenty, always looking to cut in and test Trafford, on whose first-half excellence Burnley’s victory was founded. His defenders did their fair share of hacking the ball away from danger, too.

Fulham must do without Raúl Jiménez for their Christmas schedule; just as the Mexican finally was hitting form, he must serve a suspension for his red card at Newcastle. That brought Rodrigo Muniz, the Brazilian yet to score a Premier League goal, into a team that had scored five in both of their last two home outings. Muniz rattled the side-netting in the first half and even attempted an Alejandro Garnacho-style bicycle kick but Fulham missed the hold-up play Jiménez also brings to their team. Willian was missed yet more.

Towering in the technical area, wearing a Kendall Roy-esque baseball cap, there has been little talk of a succession plan for Vincent Kompany but a well-funded team with high hopes have found the step-up to this level extremely tough. Visits to London had been a particular bane. At Brentford and Arsenal this season, Burnley’s submissiveness played into their opponents’ hands but there was far more determination here, even as Fulham dominated possession. Burnley’s best chance of the first half came when Lyle Foster broke clear on the counter only for Tosin Adarabioyo to block his shot. That might have served as a warning to Marco Silva’s side.

Fulham’s lack of a cutting edge soon came to haunt them. Burnley began the half with serious intent, Zeki Amdouni skidding a shot wide in what proved to be a rehearsal for Odobert’s goal. A quick exchange with Foster and a crashing, 25-yard shot from the French forward gave them the lead. Bernd Leno was left helpless and unprotected.

Jolted into reply, Fulham pushed on but ineffectively, and their fans began to remind Welch of Burnley’s time-wasting tactics. VAR was called into play when Fulham fans claimed Foster had used his arm. Welch pleaded for patience, player acquiescing, as it was relayed that the ball had hit Foster’s chest and there should be no penalty.

Fulham would have been better served to concentrate on defending. Berge ran 40 yards with the ball and unleashed a low drive that Leno ought to have saved. Up in the Putney End, a full-throated uproar confirmed Burnley have not given up the fight.