Sean Davis delivered the First Division title for Fulham with his second sensational stoppage-time strike in a week as the Whites were crowned champions following a dramatic draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
Fulham failed to hit the heights of their remarkable win at Blackburn Rovers, also clinched by an injury-time goal from Davis, or Saturday’s late victory at Huddersfield Town – that ensured the Whites would be returning to the top flight for the first time in 33 years but they eventually roused themselves to seal the Division One title with four games to go. But they were made to wait until the 93rd minute when homegrown midfielder Davis lashed a finish high into the net at the end of a precise passing move.
Peter Shreeves’ Sheffield Wednesday had looked set to spoil Fulham’s party after Trond Egil Soltvedt had connected with Gerald Sibon’s corner to give the Owls a surprise lead on the stroke of half time. Fulham had enjoyed most of the possession but couldn’t find a way past a resolute away defence that was expertly marshalled by the experienced pair of Des Walker and Carlton Palmer.
Where Marcus Hahnemann, who had waited the whole season for a chance to make his Fulham debut, was beaten from Wednesday’s only chance worthy of note, Kevin Pressman pulled off a number of excellent stops to keep the Owls in front. He kept out efforts from Louis Saha, Boa Morte and Clark – and it appeared as if it just wasn’t going to be Fulham’s day. Tigana threw on Barry Hayles and Karl-Heinz Riedle as the Whites went for the jugular but were almost caught out at the other end, with Sibon smashing over the crossbar on the hour mark after finding space in the box.
Saha stooped to head fractionally wide as Fulham laid siege to the Wednesday goal and, three minutes into added time, Davis sparked emotional scenes with a venomous volley after the hosts had patiently probed around the edge of the area. Tears and cheered flowed simultaneously as the Craven Cottage faithful celebrated the crowning of an incredible season – and a deserved title, which never looked in doubt from the moment when Tigana’s side started the campaign with eleven wins from their first eleven league fixtures.
FULHAM (4-4-2):Â Hahnemann; Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Symons; Davis, J. Collins (Stolcers 68), Goldbaek (Hayles 45), Clark (Riedle 76); Saha, Boa Morte. Subs (not used): Taylor, Goma.
Fulham Hahnemann, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Symons, Clark (Riedle 76), John Collins (Stolcers 68), Goldbaek (Hayles 45), Davis, Saha, Boa Morte.
BOOKED: Finnan, John Collins, Boa Morte, Davis.
GOAL: Davis (90+3).
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (4-4-2):Â Pressman; Bromby, Palmer, Harkness, Walker; Ripley, Lescott, Soltvedt (Haslam 90), Sibon; de Bilde (Di Piedi 58), Ekoku. Subs (not used): Stringer, Donnelly, Geary.
BOOKED: Di Piedi, Soltvedt.
GOAL: Sibon, (45).
REFEREE: Eddie Wolstenholme (Blackburn).
ATTENDANCE: 17,341.
