How Fulham have used set pieces to launch themselves up the table – set-piece analysis

Fulham arrived into the Premier League as one of the favourites to go straight back down, after failing to retain their top-flight status in numerous previous attempts. However, things seem to be different this year, after they have continued to repeatedly put in good performances.

The Cottagers sit in 9th place going into the World Cup break, off the back of back-to-back brilliant performances against both Manchester City and Manchester United, although coming out of both games bitterly disappointed after conceding the deciding goal in the last minute of injury time in both instances.

7 of Fulhams 24 Premier League goals this season have been scored from set pieces, where they rank 2nd in the Premier League in that regard. This has been one of the big reasons for their increased points output, although it would be unfair to disregard their brilliance in open play as well.

Aleksandr Mitrovic has scored 9 goals up until now, even after missing a number of games due to injury. He has particularly benefited from the brilliant set-piece routines that facilitate him to consistently get chances in front of goal which allow his brilliant finishing to come to light, something that used to be overlooked due to his limited opportunities in front of goal.

In this tactical analysis, we will delve into the tactics Marco Silva has used to make Fulham so dangerous from corners and free kicks. The set-piece analysis will show just how much variety Fulham have in these situations, which makes them prepared for every scenario and unpredictable for opponents. Furthermore, the analysis will look into the movement and routines used to score so many set-piece goals.

Use of blocks/screens

One of Fulhams most effective methods of creating space for players to head the ball is through setting up blocks. Blockers are players whose purpose is to prevent opponents from getting to the ball, and they have no intention of heading the ball themselves.

During outswinging corners, Fulham aim for the area between the penalty spot and the six-yard box. This is an area which is too far for goalkeepers to be able to claim crosses while being in a good position from where Fulham can still score a goal.

Against teams which zonally mark the six-yard box, Marco Silva has used blockers to make the zonal markers ineffective. The three Arsenal players who start on the six-yard line are all blocked by Fulham players who are small and unlikely to win an aerial duel. This allows each Fulham player to have a 1v1 attempt on getting onto the end of a cross from just outside the six-yard area. When teams mark zonally, their big men stay deep while smaller players individually man mark the threats.

As a result, in the image below, Mitrovic is left alone against Gabriel Jesus who, while he is tenacious, doesnt have the ability to compete with Mitrovic in aerial duels. This would be a nightmare scenario for any player, as Mitrovic is one of the most physical and strongest headers of the ball in the world. When left 1v1, Mitrovic will beat most players in the world to a header, and so this use of blockers to leave the Serbian brute alone has been one of the key methods to creating chances from corners for Fulham all season.

Fulham have utilised blocks in numerous ways this season. In the scenario below, Fulham use a blindside block, where Mitrovic backs into the back of the Wolves defenders, while Bobby Reid moves into the open space.

The advantage of this type of block is that the Wolves defender doesnt expect his path to be blocked, and so by the time he evades the block, it is far too late. Fulham also used a decoy run inside the six-yard box to pull the zonal marker away from the goal, opening up a shooting lane for Bobby Reid. In the image below, we can see how the blindside block has given Reid plenty of space inside the opposition box, while the decoy run has dragged the other defenders away from the goal so that Reids effort on goal avoids the risk of getting blocked.