John Marshall and Josh Skinner grabbed the goals as promotion-chasing Fulham eased part a below-par Cardiff City at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Bluebirds appeared to have beaten the away day blues with victory at rock-bottom Gillingham last weekend but their hopes of making the play-offs themselves were badly damaged as they were comprehensively beaten by the Cottagers. The visitors did spurn a glorious chance early on after Steve Lynex intercepted a ball out from the back by Glen Thomas and fed young striker Paul Wheeler, who fired wide of goal.
Marshall put the hosts on their way to a fourth consecutive league win when he punished Cardiff for losing the ball on the edge of their own area, steadying himself before curling a classy finish around visiting goalkeeper George Wood and into the far corner. The Welsh side responded with a series of long balls in blustery conditions and the wind nearly brought them back into the contest when Wheeler’s cross from the right nearly floated over Jim Stannard and into the net.
Fulham pushed forward at the start of the second half with Clive Walker striking a post and Michael Cole seeing a shot brilliantly blocked by the legs of Wood. City could have equalised in the 68th minute when Nicky Platnaeur played a ball through the home defence and Lynex set up substitute Jon Morgan, whose snapshot was saved by Stannard. Jimmy Gilligan then released Wheeler behind the Fulham back line but the forward mishit his effort and Stannard smothered his shot.
Fulham made sure of the points when Wood somehow kept out a drive from Gordon Davies only for Skinner to sidefoot in the follow up. Gareth Abraham had a chance to reduce Cardiff’s deficit at the death but the centre back headed a cross from Gilligan over the crossbar from six yards out.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Thomas, Rougvie, Langley, Marshall, Scott, Skinner, Walker, Cole, Davies. Subs (not used): Wilson, Gordon.
GOALS: Marshall (10), Skinner (77).
CARDIFF CITY: Wood; Rodgerson, Platnaeur, Wimbleton, Boyle, Abraham, Curtis, Kelly (Morgan 60), Gilligan, Wheeler, Lynex (Bater 72).
BOOKED: Abraham, Wimbleton, Wheeler.
ATTENDANCE: 4,261.
