Jari Litmanen marked his first appearance in a Fulham shirt with a goal from a first half penalty as the Whites lost to Tottenham on Monday evening.
Fulham started well and took the lead through Litmanen. However, the home side equalised with 10 minutes remaining and won the game with two goals in injury time.
Fulham lined up with the relatively strong side featuring the likes of Philippe Christanval, Moritz Volz, Erik Nevland, Seol Ki-Hyeon and Litmanen. Having beaten Reading at home last week, Billy McKinlay's men were looking for another three points to further consolidate their position near the top of the table.
Litmanen gave Fulham the lead with five minutes of the first half remaining. The Whites were awarded a penalty after Litmanen had directed a header towards fellow strike partner Erik Nevland. The Norwegian striker was prevented from attempting a header on goal by a challenge from Ricardo Rocha. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Litmanen stepped up to calmly convert the penalty.
Fulham, on balance of play, had the better chances of the opening 45 minutes. Litmanen had Fulham's first attempt on goal when, on the 25 minute mark, the Finnish international linked up well with Erik Nevland. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box Litmanen attempted to curl the ball past Tottenham goalkeeper Tommy Forecast. However, the Spurs custodian produced a fine save.
Simon Elliott also came close to scoring for the Whites when his fierce shot on 37 minutes flew just wide of the post.
Three substitutions in the second half from Fulham saw Christanval, Nevland and Litmanen leave the action.
The home side drew level with 10 minutes remaining when a cross into the box caused confusion in the Fulham defence. The ball bounced loose and Danny Rose was on hand to fire into the net from six yards with an overhead kick.
With the game heading for a draw the Whites unfortunately conceded a goal late into stoppage time. Adel Taarabt managed to find some space on the edge of Fulham's penalty area and drilled a low shot past Corrin Brooks-Meade.
Following the restart Fulham pushed hard to find an equaliser, leaving space at the back which ultimately Spurs were able to capitalise on with a late counterattack. The scoreline was given a more flattering appearance after Brooks-Meade did well in a one-on-one situation to deny it Livermore but Dawkins was on hand to wrap up the points for the home side.
Fulham: Brooke-Meade; Cumber, Anderson, Leijer, Christanval (Thompson 69); Milsom, Volz, Elliott, Seol; Nevland (Hall 63), Litmanen (Smith 63)
