Marks out of ten for Slavisa Jokanovic’s men after Fulham have to settle for a point from the West London derby …
Marcus Bettinelli: Quite simply without Bettinelli bailing the Whites out in the second half, QPR could have headed home with all three points. Commanded his box impressively and came up with some big saves when they were badly needed. Had already did brilliantly to keep out a Wslozek drive as Rangers came on strong towards the end of the first half, but also made himself big to deny ex-Fulham striker Matt Smith in the second half as well. Stood little chance with either of the goals. 7
Ryan Fredericks: An all-action and yet ultimately frustrating display from the Fulham right back. Looked to have Jake Bidwell on toast at times as he surged down the right in the first half, doing brilliantly to latch onto a lovely weight of pass from Cairney to create the second goal having gone close to scoring once already. Seemed strangely reluctant to gallop into the final third in the second half and carelessly gave away possession that led to Smith’s chance to level matters. 6
Matt Targett: Looked assured for most of the afternoon down the Fulham left, especially when he got on the front foot and combined offensively with Sessegnon. Struggled to make that same impact as the game went on with QPR beginning to believe they might be able to get something from the contest. Looked genuinely troubled by young Paul Smyth every time the Rangers substitute got at him – the first time since his arrival from Southampton that the loanee has looked defensively suspect. 6
Denis Odoi: The Belgian has been excellent filling in at centre back at various times this season, but this afternoon showed why he can only be considered a stopgap in that position. Adopted the attitude of a full back in trying to dribble around Pawel Wszolek and paid the price as the Polish winger waltzed away with the ball to complete the Rangers fightback. Had also looked vulnerable against Smith in the air. 5
Tim Ream: Even the unflappable American looked a little flustered as Rangers worked up a head of steam in the second half. Wasn’t helped by having few outlets in a white shirt to play the ball to, but you couldn’t fault his application or effort. Made two timely blocks before the second goal and looked very comfortable whilst the Whites were in the ascendancy. 7
Kevin McDonald: Was fighting against the tide during the second half when Rangers overloaded the spaces in front of the Fulham back four as they sought an equaliser. Still put himself about effectively, but there was an inevitability about QPR’s equaliser given the gaps that McDonald couldn’t quell all by himself. Looked a little below par even before the visitors got going – mistiming a couple of tackles and sending a few passes astray, but the frenetic nature of a local derby can make even the most dependable of players a little more frenzied. 6
Stefan Johansen: Plenty of hustle and bustle from the Norwegian, but he seemed to be one of those Fulham players who looked to run out of gas as the clock ticked on. Neat tidy next to Cairney when the home side were in the ascendancy, but struggled to impose himself on proceedings in the second half. Become less influential when shuffled out to the left to accommodate Rui Fonte’s introduction. 6
Tom Cairney: A cut above in the midfield, threading passes through the tiniest of gaps, and getting Fulham’s flowing football going. Recovered well from a hefty challenge that left him worryingly clutching that troublesome knee early on and found the bottom corner from thirty yards with a moment of real class. Always seemed to have an extra second on the ball – and it was no surprise that Fulham’s hold on the contest evaporated after he was taken off. 8
Lucas Piazon: The Brazilian might have scored the second goal, but this wasn’t his most enjoyable afternoon. Seemed somewhat off the pace with his technical ability and taking an extra touch not suited to the blood and thunder feel of a local derby and struggled to get into the game for much of the first half. It was no surprise when he was replaced by Ayite after the break. 6
Ryan Sessegnon: Posed Rangers all sorts of problems in the first half an hour with his trademark late runs in the box and combined well with Targett again down the Fulham left. Seemed to have the beating of Furlong throughout and even profited when Ryan Manning was in close attendance as well, but faded quite badly in the second half – perhaps the teenager’s extraordinary workload this season is beginning to catch up with him? 7
Aleksandar Mitrovic: A quieter afternoon for the Serbian striker than Fulham would have liked. Snatched at a couple of early half chances and was engaged in a real physical tussle with Joel Lynch for much of the afternoon – with his frustrations boiling over in stoppage time. Couldn’t hold the ball up as successively as he has before and wasn’t enough of a focal point up top. 5
Substitutes:
Floyd Ayite (on for Lucas Piazon, 68): The Togolese winger was sent on to give Fulham something different after Piazon’s largely anonymous display, but ended up struggling to make much of an impact at all as the home side couldn’t keep the ball for long enough to pose a real threat. Snatched at his only sight of goal and Smithies made a simple save at his near post. 5
Rui Fonte (on for Tom Cairney, 79): This seemed a baffling change with Ollie Norwood on the bench as the like-for-like replacement if Jokanovic wanted to replace the Fulham captain. Fonte failed to get to grips with the speed of an increasingly open game and his introduction meant the Whites lost any semblance of their shape. 5
Sheyi Ojo (on for Ryan Sessegnon, 79): Replaced the teenage left winger for the second game in succession but rarely found himself in advanced position and much of the final fifteen minutes passed him by. 5
