Fulham were frustrated by a resilient Sheffield United side at Craven Cottage this afternoon as a header from Laurent D’Jaffo saw Sheffield United leave London with a deserved share of the spoils.
The Beninese striker buried a brilliant header from Michael Brown’s free-kick just before half time to level after Luis Boa Morte had given the league leaders the lead but Fulham remain ten points clear of the chasing pack and there is a still a sense that the realisation of Mohamed Al-Fayed’s Premier League dream is just a matter of time. But Fulham were unsettled by the Blades’ physicality for the second time this season and Neil Warnock’s side more than merited another draw.
The home side’s penchant for progressive and pretty possession football was hardly realised on a boggy playing surface, which the groundstaff worked on throughout a wet morning to ensure that this game could go ahead. Fulham definitely didn’t have things their own way against combative opposition and they were arguably fortunate to lead through their only attack of note in an underwhelming first half. Louis Saha threaded a ball through a horribly square United back line and Luis Boa Morte rounded Simon Tracey before rolling in a simple finish as the visiting defenders appealed unsuccessfully for offside.
It was actually the Blades who carried the greater threat for much of the first half. New arrival Peter Ndlovu somehow failed to open his account for his new club when he saw a shot blocked by Steve Finnan from close range after an extraordinary goalmouth melee. Rob Kozluk whizzed a long-range effort wide and the home side could have no complaints when D’Jaffo deftly flicked in Brown’s free-kick at the near post – punishing some poor marking.
Even after half-time, the visitors still looked likelier to score again. Nick Montgomery blasted an effort from distance just off target and spent the rest of the evening nullifying Fulham’s midfield playmakers. A physical second period saw tempers fray, with George Santos quickly substituted by Neil Warnock after losing his tempo with his own team-mate Ndlvou. Fulham went close to grabbing a winner when substitute Karl-Heinz Riedle saw a header clawed onto the post by Tracey.
The German, who had settled the west London derby at Loftus Road with a trademark header in midweek, almost fired the Cottagers ahead when he found half a yard of space with a clever turn but Tracey kept him at bay again. French winger Fernandes then unlocked the visiting defence with a peach of pass that saw Boa Morte saunter clear but the Portuguese forward was denied a winner as Tracey stood up and saved superbly with his legs.
The Blades conjured up a late chance of their own when the energetic Montgomery tested Taylor from distance but stealing all three points would certainly have flattered Warnock’s battlers.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Taylor; Finnan, Brevett, Symons, Melville; Davis, Clark, Goldbaek (Riedle 61), Fernandes; Saha, Boa Morte. Subs (not used): Hahnemann, Neilson, Sahnoun, Moller.
BOOKED: Goldbaek, Brevett.
GOAL: Boa Morte (17).
SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-4-2): Tracey, Kozluk, Murphy, Sandford, Curle, Uhlenbeek, Brown, Montgomery, Santos (Jagielka 69), Ndlovu (Kelly 90), D’Jaffo. Subs (not used): Talia, Suffo, Woodward.
BOOKED: Santos, Curle, Uhlenbeek.
GOAL: D’Jaffo (41).
REFEREE: Graham Frankland (Middlesbrough).
ATTENDANCE: 12,480.
