Report: Fulham 1-2 Leeds United

Report: Fulham 1-2 Leeds United

Leeds United seal win over Fulham in London.

Premier League

Fulham 1 (Andersen 38)

Leeds United 2 (Bamford 29, Raphinha 58)

 

Fulham: Areola, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Aina (Tete 72), Lemina, Anguissa, Reed (Loftus-Cheek 63), Cavaleiro, Lookman, Maja (Mitrovic 45). Subs not used: Fabri, Hector, Odoi, Ream, Bryan, Kongolo.


Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Struijk, Llorente, Alioski, Phillips, Dallas, Roberts (KocH 93), Raphinha, Harrison, Bamford (Klich 77).  Subs not used: Casilla, Poveda, Costa, Berardi, Gelhardt, Shackleton, Jenkins.


It was the hosts who made a blistering start to the game following the kick-off, Ivan Cavaleiro burst into the Leeds box, before seeing his strike deflect narrowly wide.

Leeds had the ball in the back of the net inside eight minutes when Tyler Roberts floated a lovely cross into the box and Luke Ayling superbly headed home, however, following a VAR check, Roberts was adjudged offside by the narrowest of margins.

The Whites again had the ball in the back of the Fulham net 12 minutes later, when Stuart Dallas slipped in Raphinha, but the Brazilian was offside.

Fulham almost went ahead following a free kick on the right flank. The ball pinged around the Leeds box, with a combination of Illan Meslier and Ayling scrambling Josh Maja’s effort off the line.

Leeds finally got the breakthrough at the third time of asking in the 29th minute.  Jack Harrison latched onto a throw and reached the byline, before firing in a low cross and Patrick Bamford was on hand to smash home.

Leeds’ lead lasted less than 10 minutes though, with Joachim Andersen converting from close range from a corner.

The Fulham goal sparked the Cottagers into life and only a fine save by Illan Meslier to deny Frank Anguissa kept the scores level.

Meslier was again forced into action before the break, denying a long range effort from Cavaleiro, whilst at the other end, in stoppage time, Raphinha whipped in a dangerous free kick with pace, with Pascal Struijk just unable to convert at the back post.

HALF TIME: FULHAM 1-1 LEEDS UNITED

After the break, Leeds went close from a corner, when Luke Ayling’s flick on at the near post was headed out to Ezgjan Alioski who saw a strike deflect wide.

Moments later, Jack Harrison superbly weaved his way into the box from the right wing, before unleashing a fierce effort, which was brilliantly saved by Areola.

Leeds regained the lead in the 58th minute.  Kalvin Phillips made a crunching tackle in midfield to win possession and found Bamford, who played in Raphinha with a lovely through ball and the Brazilian took a brilliant first touch, before firing under the outcoming Areola.

Raphinha again threatened when he broke into the Fulham box from the left flank, he cut inside before trying to cut the ball back to Bamford in the middle, but saw his attempt to do so well blocked.

With 10 minutes remaining Leeds had a great chance to wrap the game up when Raphinha sent Stuart Dallas sprinting into the Fulham box, but he fired narrowly wide across the face of goal.

Leeds continued to press for a third goal and substitute Mateusz Klich went close, firing just over from the edge of the box.

As the game headed into stoppage time Alioski was able to win a free kick just outside the Fulham box. The ball pinged back and forth around the penalty before making its way back to Alioski who took a strong shot at goal which was deflected for a corner.

Leeds United saw out the final few minutes of the match, taking home all three points from Craven Cottage as we head into an international break.

FULL TIME: FULHAM  1-2 LEEDS UNITED


Booked: Lemina, Loftus-Cheek (Fulham), Bamford, Phillips (Leeds)

Referee: D. Coote

Venue: Craven Cottage

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

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