Parker fumes at familiar issue and reveals what Fulham must do to stay up

Fulham boss Scott Parker took aim at VAR after admitting that Sunday’s draw with Arsenal at the Emirates felt like a loss.

The Cottagers looked set to claim a priceless three points after Josh Maja’s penalty gave them a second-half lead. It was all hands to the pump as the home side threw everything at them towards the death. And with six of the seven minutes of stoppage time elapsed, Eddie Nketiah stabbed the ball home from close range. It was a cruel blow to the west Londoners, who remain deep in relegation trouble.

They sit in 18th spot and are six points adrift of 17th-placed Brighton having played two games more. Parker could not hide his frustration after the final whistle. And, once again, it was the video referee who was the subject of a manager’s ire.

“I’m disappointed and gutted and the overriding factor is the team have worked tirelessly today, given everything, come to a place like this against a very good side and managed to get our nose in front,” he told Sky Sports.

“Second half we had to weather it a bit and then the last action, I’ve just seen it back. He [Rob Holding] looks offside to me, he’s standing in an offside position.

“As a consequence of where my keeper is, he’s two yards away from the goal line and he’s in an offside position – that’s what’s disappointing.”

And the former Fulham midfielder was at a loss to explain why the decision was not overturned.

“I think the linesman sees Holding in an offside position we then go to someone who is miles away and I’m not just saying that because I’m standing on the end of a draw if someone’s standing in an offside position then I don’t understand that,” he added.

Scott Parker: We have a fighting chance

Scott Parker: We have a fighting chance

Scott Parker believes Fulham have all the characteristics required to stay in the Premier League despite the setback of losing to Wolves.

Parker aware Fulham need perfect run-in

With only five games remaining and the Seagulls likely to pick up points, it is a desperate situation. A victory at Arsenal would have given all connected with the club a shot in the arm.

The boss confessed that it felt as though his side had lost the game. And he knows they must now win all remaining fixtures to stay up.

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“It does (feel like a loss) when it comes that close, we wanted to win the game, we needed to win today, we need to win next week and the remaining games,” he continued.

“We were so close today so it’s been painful. As disappointed as I am now and the team are we’ll wake up tomorrow and we will fight again and keep going.”

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