Match Report
Blackburn Rovers (1) 3-0 (0) Fulham
Championship Match Day 31 1516 at Ewood Park
Tuesday 16th February 2016 KO: 19:45
Referee: Phil Gibbs (West Midlands)
|
Danny Graham marked his home debut with a late goal to cap off Blackburn's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Fulham which ended a two-month winless run in the Sky Bet Championship.
There seemed to be little doubt the nine-match run without a win would be ended once man of the match Ben Marshall converted his fourth spot-kick of the season in the 15th minute.
The home faithful were able to relax when Shane Duffy headed his first Ewood Park goal just after the hour and another header, this time from Graham, rounded off a fine evening for the hosts.
Fulham, on the other hand, have now only one win in their last 10 away games and have not won in nine at Ewood.
| Match Stats |
Blackburn
|
Fulham
|
| Goals |
(1) 3 |
0 (0) |
| |
| Scorers |
Marshall pen 15 |
- |
| |
Duffy 62 |
|
| |
Graham 87 |
|
| |
| Goal attempts |
16 |
9 |
| On target |
7 |
3 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
44% |
33% |
| Possession |
44% |
56% |
| Passes |
366 |
476 |
| Pass Success |
64% |
76% |
| Crosses |
22 |
17 |
| Crosses Success |
18% |
29% |
| Corners |
4 |
5 |
| Tackles |
25 |
11 |
| Tackles Success |
72% |
18% |
| Saves |
2 |
4 |
| Fouls |
8 |
14 |
| Offsides |
6 |
2 |
| Yellows |
1 |
3 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: Soccernet/Fulham FC |
Rovers captain Grant Hanley returned from injury, as did Graham in two of four changes from defeat to Hull. Fulham were without Scott Parker and Lasse Vigen Christensen from the thumping of QPR so Sakari Mattila and Luke Garbutt deputised.
Paul Lambert used his programme notes to urge his team to wake up quickly but they were sleeping early on when Michael Madl had two chances to score, one of which was a volley cleared off the line and the other saw the Austrian lash wide soon after.
Fulham's problems are at the back and the weakness was highlighted 15 minutes in when Garbutt needlessly scythed down Marshall in the area and the midfielder dusted himself off before stroking his penalty into the left corner for his fifth goal of the season.
From that point, the hosts dominated the first half, with Graham producing a smart turn and shot and Chris Brown heading a Marshall cross straight to Andy Lonergan.
The second half started as the first ended with Fulham sloppy in possession and Rovers dangerous. Marshall again wreaked havoc with a teasing inswinging cross that was perfect for Graham but the forward could not make a telling touch under pressure.
The visitors really struggled to fashion anything in a disappointing follow up to Saturday's heartening win, though Alexander Kacaniklic rifled a 35-yard effort that only just swerved wide.
But Blackburn took a huge step towards ending their winless run in the 63rd minute when Elliott Bennett's superb free-kick was met 12 yards out by Duffy, whose header was too powerful despite Lonergan's best efforts.
Graham should have marked his home debut with a goal when Jamie O'Hara's kamikaze square pass was cut out on the edge of the area, but the shot was directed wide six minutes from time.
At the other end, Moussa Dembele showed a glimpse of his ability by engineering space in the area to fire a fine low strike that Jason Steele tipped away.
But Rovers rounded off a fine night three minutes from time when Bennett crossed for Graham to get off the mark in Rovers colours with a well-directed low header.
Blackburn Rovers: Steele; Marshall, Duffy, Hanley, Spurr; Elliott Bennett, Lenihan, Corry Evans, Jordi Gómez (Conway 88'); Brown, Danny Graham (Jackson 88')
Unused substitutes: Raya Martin, Henley, Ward, Grimes, Watt
Scorers:
Marshall (pen) 15 (converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner. Penalty conceded by Luke Garbutt after a foul in the penalty area.)
Duffy 62 (header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Elliott Bennett following a set piece situation.)
Danny Graham 87 (header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Elliott Bennett.)
Booked: Graham (65,f)
Fulham: Lonergan; Fredericks, Madl, Burn, Amorebieta (Labyad 69'), Garbutt (Kacaniklic 34'); Cairney, O'Hara, Mattila (Ream 57'); McCormack, Dembele
Unused substitutes: Lewis, Jazz Richards, Hyndman, Matt Smith
Booked: Mattila (52,f), Fredericks (58,f), McCormack (71,f)
Referee: Phil Gibbs (West Midlands)
Attendance: 12,157