Marks out of ten for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side at Ashton Gate after Fulham drew with their promotion rivals …
Marcus Bettinelli: Looked a little shaky early on when subjected to Bristol City’s aerial bombardment from throw ins and corners. Was particularly enraged at being barged three times late in the first half by Nathan Baker as the ball was delivered – something which wasn’t penalised by a very passive referee. Become much more decisive in the second half. Made a couple of crucial saves and made himself big in front of goal to prevent Bobby Reid from putting the hosts ahead. 7
Cyrus Christie: Some of a surprise debut for the former Middlesbrough and Derby full back given Ryan Fredericks’ fine form at right back and the fact he was returning to his old stomping ground. The Republic of Ireland international had an immediate impact, making Mitrovic’s first Fulham goal with a strong run and then a superb ball to locate the Serbian with the outside of the foot. Superb in the air, but struggled in the latter stages as the Whites came under a bit more pressure. 8
Denis Odoi: Selected at centre back instead of Tomas Kalas and didn’t let anyone down, especially in the air against City’s strong Senegalese striker Famara Diedhou, in a display that proved why he has become a capable understudy at the heart of the defence. Might have made a better job of clearing the danger in the build up to Bobby Reid’s equaliser, but more than redeemed himself with a number of outstanding blocks in the second half. Somehow headed away one late cross from underneath his own bar with Bettinelli beaten and the Fulham goal looking vulnerable. 7
Tim Ream: The sort of reliable performance we’ve come to expect from the American who is now an automatic pick at the heart of Slavisa Jokanovic’s defence. He might have misplaced some passes and survived a horribly misjudged header that might have let Jamie Paterson in for the winner, but his composure and reading of the game brought a sense of serenity to what was something of a frenetic evening. Soaked up the pressure commendably and constantly cleared his lines with a modicum of fuss. 7
Matt Targett: Such has been the Southampton loanee’s impact since arriving at Craven Cottage in January, Jokanovic will be fretting about the seriousness of the ankle injury that curtailed his evening. Strode forward imperiously to begin with, but wasn’t as effective once Lee Johnson’s side really got going in the second half. Not his most effective evening but he remains a key part of this Fulham side. 6
Kevin McDonald: The Scottish midfielder’s organisation and breaking up of the play was vital the longer the game went on and Fulham strove to maintain their unbeaten run. A few of his early passes went astray, but there was no faulting McDonald’s engine as he bombed up and down the pitch to great effect. Carried the ball forward well in addition to anchoring the midfield. 7
Stefan Johansen: Buzzed around brightly from the off looking to keep a high tempo and unsettle the Bristol City defence. Looked threatening in the forward areas, especially when he embarked on those rampaging runs from deep. Much less effective as the home side built up a head of steam in the second half and made the wrong decisions as Fulham broke on a couple of occasions. 6
Tom Cairney: Well below his usual level, but that was understandable as he struggled with the intensity of two huge tests in the space of five days after just coming back from another spell on the sidelines with his injured knee. Was clearly targeted with a number of robust challenges from the Bristol City midfield and will feel he should have done better than balloon a chance he fashioned for himself over the bar. Still a class act on the ball – and will be pivotal to Fulham’s success this season. 6
Ryan Sessegnon: The teenager founded this one through against a physical Bristol City side who were well attuned to the danger Sessegnon posed and set up to deny him the time and space he has found against other opponents. Struggled to influence proceedings as a result, but kept going and created the second half’s clearest opening when he pounced on an Aden Flint to mistake to deliver a terrific cross that agonosingly eluded Aleksandar Mitrovic. 6
Lucas Piazon: The Brazilian was anonymous throughout, failing impose himself on the contest and muscled out of it regularly by the Bristol City midfield. Drifted infield to find possession and a bit of space but at times that left Fulham without an outlet on the right, meaning Christie had to push much further forward. Worked hard as ever, regularly tracking back to win the ball – including break up one Robins attack right on the edge of his own box – but was lucky to stay on the field for the full ninety minutes. 5
Aleksandar Mitrovic: The Serbian striker was just as dominant here as he was against Aston Villa on Saturday. Set the tone early with a couple of clever touches and withstood a real buffeting from Flint and Baker. Took his goal superbly, making an intelligent run after Christie’s raid forward, and in this mood you sense he make a real difference up front. Felt he should have scored after the break even though he was much more isolated in the second half – having mistimed a header at the near post and not quite got to Sessegnon’s dangerous cross, but there was plenty to like about this assertive display. 8
Substitutes:
Floyd Ayite (on for Matt Targett 74): Readied to replace Piazon but actually came on for the injured Targett, which meant Sessegnon switched to left back. Added pace to the front line but rarely got an opportunity to get at the Bristol City defence. Worked his socks off going the other way – which has sometimes been lack from his game – as Fulham battled to preserve parity late in the game. 6
Aboubakar Kamara (on for Aleksandar Mitrovic 74): You can see the sense behind this substitution. After Mitrovic had waged a physical battle with Bristol City’s centre halves, Kamara’s speed was supposed to test them in between – but Fulham failed to get the ball into the right places to put the plan into practice. Full of energy, but couldn’t do much on the scraps he was fed. 6
Ollie Norwood (on for Tom Cairney, 80): Settled things down when he replaced the Fulham skipper just as the Whites were losing the midfield battle. Neat and tidy in the middle of the park and added a little bit of ballast in front of McDonald at a crucial time. On another day his low 30-yarder could’ve crept under Frankie Fielding. 7
