Laurent D'Jaffo's header saw Sheffield United deservedly prevent Fulham from taking
another giant step towards the Premiership.
D'Jaffo flicked home a Michael Brown free kick just before half-time to cancel
out Luis Boa Morte's opener for the Cottagers.
Neil Warnock's side battled throughout to put the brakes on Fulham's title charge,
though the Londoners are still 10 points clear at the top of the table.
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Luis Boa Morte
takes the ball around Tracey to score the opener for Fulham |
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But even with Fulham's massive advantage at the top of the table, there is no
such thing as a home banker at Craven Cottage these days.
The weather has left the pitch heavy and boggy in places, and this game was even
in some doubt as ground staff worked all morning to ensure the pitch was playable.
The surface, combined with United's gritty approach to the game, ensured Fulham
never had things their own way. In fact, they were fortunate to take the lead
with their only real threat of the first half. Louis Saha sent strike partner
Louis Boa Morte clear and, as the Blades defence stood appealing for offside,
the Portuguese striker rounded Simon Tracey and slotted home from a tight angle.
Either side of the goal, the visitors had looked the more likely team to score.
New signing Peter Ndlovu had an early effort bravely blocked by Steve Finnan in
a remarkable goalmouth scramble.
Then, the energetic Robert Kozluk was narrowly off target with a long-range effort.
It was certainly not against the run of play when Laurent D'Jaffo levelled four
minutes before half-time.
In fact, half-time parity was the least that Neil Warnock's side deserved.
D'Jaffo was the scorer, deftly flicking home amid a crowd of players following
a Michael Brown's free kick from the left.
The visitors continued to frustrate the league leaders after the break - with
Montgomery in particular stifling Fulham playmaker - and emotions threatened to
boil over midway through the second half.
Fernandez's free kick found substitute Karlheinz Riedle, whose diving header was
somehow kept out by a combination of the post and Tracey's scrambling goalline
save.
But an offside flag against the German sparked protests from the home side and
a spat involving Ndlovu and George Santos threatened to turn ugly.
It looked for a moment as if Santos was going to be shown a red card for his involvement
but, as referee Graham Frankland consulted his assistant, Warnock was quick to
substitute his fiery midfielder.
As Fulham tried all they could to break free of Sheffield's shackles, Jean Tigana's
side became increasingly dangerous.
Riedle was at the centre of much of their attacking play and his clever turn and
shot produced a fine save from the alert Tracey.
The long-serving keeper made an even better stop 12 minutes from time, blocking
with his legs to deny Boa Morte after Fernandez had sent him clear with a glorious
defence-splitting pass.
At the other end, the impressive Montgomery stung Maik Taylor's hands with a rasping
shot late on.
Victory then would have flattered the visitors.
Fulham:
Taylor, Brevett, Symons, Melville, Finnan, Clark, Goldbaek (Riedle 61), Davis,
Fernandes, Saha, Boa Morte.
Subs Not Used:
Hahnemann, Neilson, Sahnoun, Moller.
Booked: Goldbaek, Brevett.
Goals: Boa Morte 17.
Sheff Utd:
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.
Goals: D'Jaffo 41.
Att: 12,480
Ref: G Frankland (Middlesbrough).