Two goals in six second half minutes from Glen Thomas and Andy Sayer secured a fine home win for Fulham over Swansea City at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
But the scoreline could have been very different had the Welsh side taken their chances in a first half which they utterly dominated. John Salako, signed on a month’s loan from Crystal Palace, almost announced himself with a goal ten minutes into his Swansea debut but his fine effort flashed just past the post. Winger Paul Raynor then headed wide of goal when unmarked eight yards out and Andy Legg failed to hit the target in the last minute of the first half when he raced through on goal after a poor kick from Fulham goalkeeper Jim Stannard.
The home side offered little about from Clive Walker’s dribbling down the flank in the first half but they were fired up by a lively half-time team talk from Ray Lewington. Fulham took the lead five minutes into the second half when Lee Bracey fumbled a free-kick from Peter Scott, with full back Thomas taking advantage from close range. It was 2-0 six minutes later when a wind-assisted kick from Stannard fell kindly for Sayer, volleyed beyond Bracey from 20 yards.
Swansea threatened a comeback with a flurry of late corners but couldn’t conjure up a chance to test Stannard in the Fulham goal. The results leaves the Swans without a league point this season or an away goal – increasing the pressure on manager Ian Evans.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Nebbeling, G. Thomas, Marshall, Scott, Skinner, Mauge, Walker (Bremner 80), Sayer, Dowie. Subs (not used): Barnett.
GOALS: G. Thomas (50), Sayer (56).
SWANSEA CITY: Bracey; Boyle, Coleman, Melville, Legg, Hough, Cobb, D’Auria, Raynor, Hutchinson, Salako. Subs (not used): Trick, Davey.
BOOKED: Hough, Legg.
REFEREE: Dennis Hedges (Oxford).
ATTENDANCE: 4,520.
