Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Fulham F.C.
Fulham defeat to Owls As They Edge Closer To Second Place
A game dominated by the visitors was won by a late strike from loanee Aleksander Mitrovic. A vital three points which boosted Fulham’s automatic promotion hopes as they close the gap on second place Cardiff City.
Fulham had the ball in the back of the net just after ten minutes. Tom Cairney had the ball at his feet after Kevin McDonald nicked the ball off Adam Reach. Cairney returned the favour and slipped him down the right-hand side of the box. McDonald passed the ball into the centre and Ojo was on hand to redirect it into the net. As he got up to celebrate, the linesman raised his flag and the goal was ruled out for offside.
Ojo was soon in again. He weaved his way into the box, cut inside and hit a tame shot at goal where Wildsmith caught comfortably.
Ten minutes later, Fulham hit the woodwork. Targett played a ball into the middle where Mitrovic dummied the ball through to Ryan Sessengnon who dinked the ball through to Mitrovic who had continued his run. He back-heeled it in his stride before tapping the ball over Lees to Sessengnon whose looping header bounced off the crossbar and out.
McDonald then tested the keeper just before the half hour mark. Tom Cairney held the ball up on the edge of the box until he teed up Kevin McDonald who saw his rifled shot parried away from danger by Joe Wildsmith.
Wednesday then had a goal ruled out for offside five minutes before the break. Pudil’s throw was held up well by substitute Jacob Butterfield. The Wednesday number eight slotted the ball through for Pudil to cross into the box where Lucas Joao flicked the ball into the net. The linesman raised his flag however Daniel Pudil looked onside when the pass was made.
On the stroke of halftime, Fulham had the best chance of the game. The ball was worked out to the right channel where Ojo played Fredricks down the line. The Fulham right-back floated a ball into the box where Mitrovic powered a header towards goal, only to be stopped by the quick reflexes of Joe Wildsmith. Wednesday countered from the goalkick, Boyd was played down the left by Butterfield. Boyd’s cross was headed down to the edge of the box by Nuhiu for Reach who saw his volley blocked by Tim Ream. There were shouts for handball but the ref gave nothing and blew for halftime.
Wednesday started the half the brightest of the two teams and had several good chances to take the lead.
Firstly, Reach ran into space around 30 yards from goal. None of the Fulham players closed him down so Reach took aim at the net. Unfortunately for the winger, he dragged his shot wide.
A minute later, Jack Hunt outmuscled Ryan Sessengnon and crossed dangerously towards the back stick where Atdhe Nuhiu was just seconds too late to make any connection.
Just after the hour, Frederico Venancio thought that he missed a great chance to put the home side ahead. A deep freekick from Joey Pelupessy was knocked on by Nuhiu into the path of Venancio who fluffed his lines and miss kicked the ball wide of the post. The linesman had already raised his flag to spare his blushes.
Fulham slowly grew into the second period but squandered a golden chance. Cairney switched the ball across the area to McDonald on the right of the box but the Fulham midfielder blasted his attempt over the bar.
Fulham did take the lead with just over ten minutes left. Teenage sensation Ryan Sessengnon darted into the box and threaded a ball across the box to Mitrovic who hammered home his ninth goal since his arrival from Newcastle United.
Substitute Neeskens Kebano then had two glorious chances to extend the lead in the space of a minute. Firstly Matt Targett accurately picked out the run of the DR of Congo international however Kebano scuffed his effort across goal and wide. Kevin McDonald then slid Kebano through one-on-one with Wildsmith but the young shot stopper rushed out and saved well.
Wednesday almost nicked a point in injury time. Pudil, who latched onto Forestieri’s through ball, cut the pass back towards the edge of the box. Reach lost his footing before laying the ball off to Forestieri who curled his shot over the bar.
The referee brought the game to an end to confirm that Fulham would be only two points outside the automatic promotion places.
STAR MAN: Joe Wildsmith
The young goalkeeper kept Sheffield Wednesday in this contest longer than they ought to have been. He again pulled off some cracking saves. His handling was excellent and his distribution was accurate. Definitely the bright spark of this disappointing campaign.
Attendance: 25,653
Goals: Mitrovic (78’)
SWFC: Joe Wildsmith; Jack Hunt, Frederico Venancio, Tom Lees, Daniel Pudil, George Boyd (Marco Matias); Barry Bannan (Jacob Butterfield), Joey Pelupessy, Adam Reach; Lucas Joao (Fernando Forestieri), Atdhe Nuhiu
Unused Subs: Cameron Dawson, Jordan Thorniley, David Jones, Jordan Rhodes
FFC: Marcus Bettinelli; Ryan Fredericks, Denis Odoi, Tim Ream, Matt Targett; Sheyi Ojo (Floyd Ayité (Neeskens Kebano)), Kevin McDonald, Tom Cairney, Stefan Johansen, Ryan Sessengnon, Aleksandar Mitrovic
Unused Subs: David Button, Cyrus Christie, Tomas Kalas, Oliver Norwood, Aboubakar Kamara
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