Perhaps the 15,000 cardboard cut-outs watching from the stands at Leeds enjoyed Fulham’s visit.
For me, the best part of the TV coverage came at halftime when we were able to see and hear some of the FFC stalwarts who phoned fans during lockdown to check that all was well. The match itself brought only disappointment.
Fulham started lethargically and conceded a soft goal in the 10th minute when Helder Costa set up Patrick Bamford after Harry Arter had lost possession.
This did spark the visitors into action. Anthony Knockaert looked likeliest to score but his long shots never really threatened to beat the home keeper. Fulham demanded a penalty when the ball struck an arm of Tyler Roberts but referee Tony Harrington ignored them just as he had overlooked Aleks Mitrovic’s use of an elbow in an earlier attack. VAR might have punished both actions – potentially giving Fulham a goal but removing a key player.
A short, disastrous period in the second half decided the result. In the 56th minute Fulham wasted a corner and watched their opponents break away, just as in the previous match. This time there were four or five defenders who might have intercepted but they all missed Jack Harrison’s centre, which gave substitute Ezgjan Aloski a simple goal.
Soon afterwards Harrison again sped down the right wing and, unchallenged by Joe Bryan, coolly slipped the ball past Marek Rodak.
Scott Parker made three substitutions in the 75th minute, after which no more goals were conceded, but Neeskens Kebano managed to acquire two yellow cards in his brief stay on the pitch. This meant that he would miss the Tuesday visit to Queens Park Rangers.
With Abou Kamara banned and Mitrovic likely to be suspended the manager was left short of attacking options. He pinned his hopes on Anthony Knockaert, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ivan Cavaleiro, three skilful performers whose goal tally has not matched their potential.
Loftus Road clash
Had I been present at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Tuesday my view of the opening goal would almost certainly have been blocked by latecomers, for Rangers found the net in less than a minute.
After Denis Odoi’s crossfield pass had caught his colleagues flat-footed, Ryan Manning sped away with the ball and centred for Jordan Hugill to nod home. Tim Ream’s half-hearted challenge on Hugill was a further sign that his team have become slow starters.
Fortunately, QPR could not keep up the pressure and managed just one further effort on target, which Marek Rodak saved. Cyrus Christie, introduced to stiffen the defence, led the charge for an equaliser with several long-range drives, and Harrison Reed hit the post before Harry Arter scored in the 21st minute. It was good to see Fulham growing in confidence and Cyrus Christie hit the winner 15 minutes before the end. He deserved his Man of the Match award.
“My perception of the game is that we have given away three points from a very, very strong display,” commented Rangers manager Mark Warburton.
Scott Parker had said much the same after his two recent defeats. To gain three points from three matches is a modest achievement but it keeps the club in the play-offs. With six League fixtures remaining Parker must convince his players that they can beat anyone – even Brentford.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
Want to read more news stories like this? Subscribe to our weekly e-news bulletin.
