In a match that could have put themselves firmly in with a chance of securing the league title, Fulham came up short in a re-arranged fixture against Norwich City. A cliché it may be, but this was certainly a game of two halves for the Whites.
Fulham initially continued where they had left off against Watford, displaying vibrant, attacking football and taking the game to Norwich. It was an excellent first 45 minutes as they got the ball down on the deck and went about playing the game in the manner it should be; one-touch passing, great movement and everything done at speed.
The frustrating thing from Fulham’s point of view though was that they created a number of chances and could have put the game beyond the reach of their visitors. The Whites took the lead courtesy of Alex Smith. Jordan Wilson weighted a pass into the path of Michael Uwezu. The striker tried to take it around the keeper, but was blocked, the ball spilled out and Smith was on hand to tuck it home.
The second period was a different story though, and taking heart from having weathered the first-half Fulham storm, The Canaries began to assert themselves, as the Whites struggled to rediscover the same tempo.
Thus it came as no real surprise when they equalised, though Fulham will have been extra disappointed to have not done more to prevent it. The ball was played into a Norwich forward on the edge of the area, Fulham’s defence failed to get tight, allowing him to turn and shoot. The shot curled into the bottom corner, past the despairing dive of Neil Etheridge, a very clinical finish.
The game became rather disjointed after that with neither side able to establish any momentum. The most crucial factor proved to be stamina and the Whites appeared to be tiring in the latter stages of the game. Norwich capitalised on this and nicked a late winner to compound a frustrating game for Gary Brazil’s side.
Fulham: Etheridge; Laribi (Marsh-Brown 60), Brown, Briggs, Anderson; Harris, Jackson (Jones 80), A. Smith, Wilson; L. Smith, Uwezu