Fulham kept the Division Three title race going until the final day of the season after skipper Simon Morgan scored a superb double to put Hull City to the sword.
The Cottagers’ captain returned from injury to face the Tigers at Craven Cottage and delivered a virtuoso display as Fulham improved on their last two disappointing home displays after clinching promotion. The Whites were in control from the first whistle – with the only surprise being that they had to wait until half an hour in to open the scoring after Darren Freeman and Mike Conroy had stretched Hull’s defence from the first whistle.
City kept the hosts out for the first fifteen minutes but then Mike Conroy headed just over the bar from a fine cross by Matt Lawrence. The Scot then smashed a volley against the crossbar before Hull goalkeeper Steve Wilson wonderfully kept out Glenn Cockerill’s header. City struggled to get a foothold with Andy Brown unable to hold the ball up. Their best chance came from a free-kick after Neil Mann was fouled, with the midfielder curling an effort just wide of Mark Walton’s goal.
Fulham took the lead on the half hour mark when Conroy played a lovely ball through the visiting defence for Morgan to run onto and the midfielder raced into the penalty area before rifling a right-footed shot past Wilson. Hull might have equalised when Warren Joyce shot just wide, but Micky Adams’ men could easily have killed off the contest by half time. Freeman used his pace to get in behind Tony Brien but the shaggy-haired striker screwed his shot wide.
Under-pressure Hull boss John Dolan saw any chance of his side getting back into the contest disappear just four minutes into the second half when skipper Morgan doubled Fulham’s lead by burying a trademark header from a fine Paul Watson cross. Morgan was only denied a hat-trick by another stupendous save from Wilson, who did brilliantly to keep the scoreline respectable for the Tigers.
An appreciative Adams lavished press on the man of the match in his post-match press conference. ‘Morgs was magnificent in the midfield. What more could you ask for from your captain?’ The only disappointment for Fulham was that Wigan Athletic won to keep hold of top spot, meaning the Whites will need to better the Latics’ result next weekend at Cambridge United to claim the league title on the final day.
FULHAM: Walton; Lawrence, Watson, Cullip, Blake; Cockerill (Warren 73), Cusack, Carpenter, Morgan (Angus 83); Conroy, Freeman (Thomas 78).
BOOKED: Lawrence, Freeman.
GOALS: Morgan (30, 49).
HULL CITY: Wilson; Rioch, Greaves (Fewings 52), Brien, Dewhurst; Peacock, Quigley, Mann, Joyce; Brown, Trevitt. Subs (not used): Sharman, Doncel.
BOOKED: Rioch, Greaves, Dewhurst, Joyce.
REFEREE: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
ATTENDANCE: 10,588.
