In the final home match of Fulham’s 2019-20 Championship fixtures, Sheffield Wednesday seemed initially to offer little resistance.
The home side’s scoring began in the 11th minute when Kevin Hector found Neeskens Kebano with a glorious cross-field pass.
The Congolese international cut in from the left and hit a long, low drive that somehow evaded keeper Joe Wildsmith.
After Wednesday failed to capitalise on some sloppy defensive play, Josh Onomah broke away to release Aleksandar Mitrovic, who added a stylish second goal.
Before the interval the visiting defender Dominic Iorfa, having blocked another Kebano effort, foolishly tripped the attacker as he was leaving the penalty area.
Mitro increased Fulham’s lead and his own commendable tally.
It was all too easy – encouraging, especially for the goal-scorers, who each had the prospect of a hat-trick, but scarcely an adequate rehearsal for the play-offs.
Did some well-meaning official ask Wednesday to make a greater effort in the second period?
The visitors were transformed and when Tim Ream and Maxime Le Marchand dithered Jacob Murphy took possession close to the goal.
Marek Rodak came at him feet-first and conceded a penalty. The Sunday Times attributed the foul to Mitrovic, but the offender was definitely clad in red.
Having escaped a card, Rodak appeared bent on earning one by his futile and indisciplined complaints. Atdhe Nuhiu scored from the spot.
A body check on Harrison Reed gave Fulham a free kick, which Kebano cunningly sent underneath the leaping defenders in the wall.
Wednesday soon retaliated. Murphy’s deflected shot and then a Nuhiu header brought the score to 4-3.
In stoppage time Bobby Decordova-Reid finally displayed his potential with a solo goal to ensure the team’s victory. Harrison Reed’s contribution was less impressive. He was sent off for attempting a rugby tackle shortly after receiving a caution.
The match had after all proved a good rehearsal, emboldening the strikers and showing up the consequences of indecision and ill-discipline.
Supporters were denied the lap of honour which normally accompanies the last home match of the season. A pity because Scott Parker and the players deserve our applause for turning around so soon the fortunes of the club.
Fulham’s victory meant that automatic promotion was still possible. The Whites needed a victory at Wigan and defeats for West Bromwich and Brentford on the same evening. The Wigan players had to win in order to escape an undeserved relegation.
This situation might have produced a nervous evening especially when Queens Park Rangers took an early lead at West Brom, but Fulham and Brentford struggled to take advantage. In the end all three teams failed to win so the two London clubs were condemned to the play-offs.
Wigan had scored in the 32nd minute, but after the interval Kebano produced another unstoppable free kick to equalise. Was he perfecting these strikes during his long wait for a regular first team place?
Neeskens’s colleagues offered little individual magic. The Whites had only four efforts on target and Rodak was by far the busier keeper. Maybe Mitrovic and the others were saving themselves for the play-offs?
Rehearsals are over. On Monday evening Fulham travel to Cardiff, then after the final whistle on Thursday we shall know whether this is our year for Wembley.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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