5 June 2006, by Sean Gillen

Boa Morte 2005/06 season review

Fulham captain leads by example

There was much speculation about where Luis Boa Morte would start the 2005/06 season, with fellow Premiership side Newcastle reported to be at the head of a queue of clubs hoping to recruit the forward.

However, Fulham were determined to keep hold of their star man, and convinced Boa Morte to stay at Craven Cottage by making him club captain and awarding him an improved 5-year contract.

Many believe that the Portuguese could play for a club with more potential, and those views were enhanced after Fulham’s poor start to the season. Five defeats in their first eight games saw the Londoners plunge straight into a relegation battle, and Boa Morte’s strike in the defeat to West Ham was his only goal of the season so far.

Liverpool win

Typically, Boa Morte was at the heart of the surprise win over Liverpool that halted their bad run. The 28-year-old sealed a 2-0 win with a late goal to give his side a famous victory in October.

Although Boa Morte continued to improve with another goal in the next match against West Brom, he was let down by his defence as Fulham lost 3-2 at home to go out of the Carling Cup.

Fulham were scoring goals, but Boa Morte and his fellow forwards often had a lot of their good work undone by poor defending. A 3-2 defeat at Chelsea days before a 3-3 draw against Aston Villa were prime examples, before Boa Morte scored the winner in a 2-1 win over Blackburn.

Throughout his time in the Premiership, Boa Morte has earned a reputation as a fiery character, and eleven yellow cards and one red saw him miss games through suspension. But the Portuguese could rely on the backing of his manager, who insists that his captain is unfairly treated by referees.

Twelve goals conceded during three successive defeats in March knocked the team’s confidence, and made their following match against Chelsea appear an easy three points for the champions. Fulham caused one of the surprises of the season, beating Jose Mourinho’s men 1-0 thanks to a Boa Morte goal.

World Cup call-up

Boa Morte scored both goals in a win over Charlton as Fulham went on to win four of their last five games to comfortably avoid relegation. He was then included in Portugal’s World Cup squad as rumours of a move resurfaced.

With Real Madrid reported to be amongst the 29-year-old’s many admirers, Boa Morte may be looking to use the World Cup to impress bigger clubs, in the hope of being given the chance to finally ply his trade on a higher stage.

Season Highlight

Fulham 1-0 Chelsea – 19/03/06

After three heavy defeats, Fulham were not expected to trouble the champions. But Boa Morte’s early goal inspired the team to their best team performance of the season to shock Jose Mourinho’s side.

                                       Season stats