A brilliant brace from Gary Brazil saw Fulham take all three points at Rotherham United this afternoon after an excellent away display.
The Whites took the lead in the thirteenth minute when Brazil shrugged off the attentions of two Rotherham defenders and headed in a lovely cross from Sean Farrell at the far post. Rotherham, playing in front of their smallest home gate of the campaign to date, were responded to the going behind with some wonderfully incisive passing but it was Fulham who almost doubled their lead when Farrell fabulously improvised a volley from an impossible possible only for his superb shot to rattle the far post.
The goal that the Millers had been threatening came right on the cusp of the half time interval. Goater held the ball up superbly for Mark Todd, who broke into the box and curled a lovely finish around a helpless Jim Stannard. Jon Howard and Goater spurned good chances to put the home side ahead at the start of the second period before Fulham snatched the lead back in controversial circumstances just after the hour mark.
Ara Bedrossian played through Brazil – who looked to be just offside – as the Rotherham defence pushed up and the Fulham forward played to the whistle as the home players waited for a flag that never came, rounding Billy Mercer to score a goal that sparked joyous celebrations from the visitors. Angus completed a commanding display as Don Mackay’s side held on for another important three points – even if the debate raged afterwards about the lack of that offside flag.
ROTHERHAM UNITED: Mercer; Jacobs, Brien, Whitworth, Wilder, Todd, Williams, Goodwin, Howard, Kiwomya, Goater. Subs (not used): Clarke, Hazel, Banks.
GOAL: Todd (44).
FULHAM: Stannard; G. Thomas, Eckhardt, Angus, Herrera, Jupp, Bedrossian, Ferney (Baah 75), Hails, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Harrison, Tierling.
GOALS: Brazil (13, 62).
REFEREE: George Cain (Merseyside).
ATTENDANCE: 2,667.
