Fulham produced a superb all-round performance to beat Sheffield United 1-0 on Saturday night.
A second half strike from Ademola Lookman was enough to ensure a vital three points came our way.
Scott Parker made three changes from the side that had picked up a solid point away at Burnley on Wednesday. Kenny Tete. Mario Lemina and Bobby De Cordova-Reid made way for Antonee Robinson, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa & Ivan Cavaleiro, respectively.
After a few weeks of chilly weather, it was a delightful evening at Craven Cottage as the referee got things started. A warm, bright & pleasant night by the banks of the Thames.
It was a bright start from Fulham. The opening 10 minutes of the match was dominated by fluid attacking moves from Scott Parker’s side. On three occasions we had the opportunity to play dangerous crosses into the box, but the Blades defence was equal to the early forays.
The screw continued to turn. Ademola Lookman testing Aaron Ramsdale in the Sheffield United goal with a low effort from just outside the box and Ruben Loftus-Cheek shooting over with a left-footed drive after some good solo work.
In the 35th minute we came close yet again. A wonderful counter-attack started from the edge of our own box and flowing forward down the right flank. After some strong work from Loftus-Cheek to feed Lookman the tricky winger slipped Cavaleiro clear up the flank. After cutting back inside on to his left foot the Portuguese forward lashed a powerful drive over the bar.
Five minutes before the break Harrison Reed tried his luck from 30 yards out. Unfortunately, unlike his shot versus Everton last Sunday, his effort lacked power and was gathered with ease by Ramsdale yet again.
Minutes later Loftus-Cheek headed over from a Lookman corner. A first half dominated by Fulham, enjoying close to 75% of possession. Despite this statistical advantage it remained evens stevens.
A big second half was on the cards.
In the 53rd minute it was a heart stopping moment as Loftus-Cheek battled through the Sheffield United defence and looked to slip a low shot under the onrushing Ramsdale. With the ball seemingly destined for the back of the net the keeper pulled off a superb reflex save to deflect the effort out of harm’s way. Agonisingly close to the opener.
In the 61st minute we took a deserved lead. A slight tweak at half-time had seen us start looking to the channels for joy. A long diagonal ball from Joachim Andersen was plucked out the air by Lookman. After a somewhat fortuitous deflection off the defender, Ade lashed an perfect shot underneath Ramsdale and into the back of the net.
After much huffing and puffing the barrier had been breached.
In similar fashion to the match in midweek our opposition came roaring back after our goal. However we were able to weather the storm. Areola producing an excellent save low to his right to deny Enda Stevens before a corner bounced across the face of goal before being hooked clear.
In the 73rd minute Ola Aina, tried his luck with a dipping drive which Ramsdale did well to parry clear. In would be a tense final quarter if the points were to remain in South-West London.
With two minutes remaining in regulation Areola was called into action once more. A scrappy affair in the box culminated in the ball falling to Jayden Bogle two yards from goal. The imposing Frenchman flew off his line and cleared with his boot and followed through the defender. A strong tackle at a vital time. The referee waved away some half-hearted appeals for a penalty and play resumed.
Seven minutes of added time felt like a lifetime but we held on for a superb victory.
Fulham XI: Areola, Aina, Andersen, Tosin, Robinson, Reed, Anguissa, Cavaleiro, Loftus-Cheek, Lookman, Maja.
Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Baldock, Stevens, Jagielka, Basham, Lundstram, Fleck, Ampadu, Bryan, Sharp, McBurnie.