An outstanding overhead kick by Dado Prso ensured Rangers beat Fulham 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Craven Cottage.
The Scottish side dominated most of the proceedings but some excellent goalkeeping by Mark Crossley kept Fulham level at the end of the first half. Fulham improved after the break but Prso’s fantastic acrobatics put Rangers in front. Zurab
Khizanishvili and Shota Arveladze wasted good chances to extend their lead, whilst centre back Zat Knight spurned Fulham’s best opportunity.
Rangers were on the offensive from the off and Peter Lovenkrands had an early sight of goal but rashly blazed wide when a cross to teammates in better positions appeared to be the more sensible option. Crossley then denied Lovenkrands with his feet and touched another effort from the Dane onto his crossbar, whilst Alain Goma’s speculative shot flew over the bar for Fulham. Crossley was on hand again to thwart Nacho Novo and the former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper was extended by Lovenkrands again just before the break.
The second half had more of a bite to it, especially after Collins John felt aggrieved after being manhandled by Paolo Vanoli but Dermot Gallagher ensured no tempers were particularly frayed. Fulham kept the ball better after the break but they struggled for a cutting edge and it was only a matter of time before Rangers made their superiority tell, although Prso’s overhead kick was mesmorising. Novo’s cross appeared overhit but Chris Burke kept it alive and the Croatian striker acrobatically scissor-kicked it beyond Crossley.
Fulham’s best chance of a riposte fell to Knight, when the tall defender powered a header towards goal from five yards but Stefan Klov made a splendid reaction save before Fernando Ricksen hooked the ball away from underneath his own crossbar. Khizanishvili failed to put the game beyond Fulham when his header from four yards out was blocked and Shota Arveladze’s late curler drifted wide, but all of that proved academic in the end.
