Fulham made a scintillating start to the game but after taking the lead through Brian McBride the Whites were dealt a double blow in the first half when McBride and Hameur Bouazza were injured.

Fulham's captain and Bouazza were both in superb form and causing serious problems to Boro's defence in the opening period. There was great concern for McBride amongst players and fans alike when the American appeared to land awkwardly after putting the Whites a goal to the good. Fulham's inspirational striker was stretchered from the field before Bouazza was forced to leave the field after damaging his arm.

Fulham retained their lead going into the break but Mido pulled Boro level on 54 minutes. The Whites had several opportunities to kill the game off in the second half but in a heartbreaking end to the game, Lee Cattermole snatched the winner for Boro two minutes from time. In added time David Healy appeared to have pulled Fulham level but his effort was ruled out. Fulham deserved more from the game and can consider themselves desperately unlucky not to have come away with at least a point on Saturday.

Teams

Fulham: Warner, Bocanegra, Konchesky, Knight, Smertin, Healy, Davis, McBride (c), Bouazza, Davies, Baird

Subs: Batista (GK), Volz, Kamara, Diop, Dempsey

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Arco, Riggott, Boateng (c), Mido, Sanli, Downing, Davies, Cattermole, Wheater, Taylor

Subs: Jones (GK), Aliadiere, Dong-Gook, Johnson, Hines

First Half Action:

McBride and Healy got Saturday's game underway with Fulham attacking the Hammersmith End on a mild and dry afternoon in West London.

2 min: Fulham made a superb start to the game. After two minutes Zat Knight sent an inch perfect 60 yard ball across field to Bouazza. The winger crossed from the left flank and McBride raced to the near post but Boro cleared to safety in time. Fulham attacked down the left at every opportunity early on with Bouazza asking serious questions of the Boro defence. 

5 min: Fulham were on fire. Davies unlocked Boro's defence down the right flank and sent an inch perfect delivery to Bouazza on the far post. Bouazza's header failed to beat Schwarzer but the home crowd sensed an opener. After seven minutes of play Referee Mason pulled up injured and was replaced by Andy D'Urso. 

9 min: Davies displayed tremendous skill and touch on the right flank. The Welshman picked the ball on the half way line and skinned Downing and Taylor before delivering the sweetest of crosses. Seconds later Baird delivered to McBride but the American’s header lacked the pace and direction to beat Schwarzer.

14 min: Middlesbrough began to find their rhythm and enjoyed a decent spell of possession but once again Knight and Bocanegra were faultless at the back.

15 min: Goal Fulham! (McBride) Davies set Smertin free down the right flank and the midfielder sent a low delivery into the area. McBride controlled the ball 12 yards from goal and sent his right footed shot past Schwarzer and into the corner of the net.

Fulham 1 0 Boro

15 min:  Fulham's goal celebrations were short lived as McBride remained grounded following his strike. Fulham's players and medical staff rushed to the American's aid, who appeared to land awkwardly on his left leg following his finish. Fulham's inspirational captain received medical attention to his knee for five before being stretchered from the field of play. Sanchez was forced to bring on Diomansy Kamara in the most unfortunate of circumstances.

21 min: Boro's latest signing Mido fired in his first shot, a left footed strike from the edge of the area which failed to test Warner.

24 min: Bouazza turned two defenders on the left flank and sent a right footed cross into the box which was flicked on by Healy to the far post. Kamara raced in but failed to direct his header goalwards. The pace of the ball beat the striker who should have doubled Fulham's lead.

27 min: Middlesbrough broke through Fulham’s defence. A sweeping cross from the left found Cattermoloe unmarked on the far post. The midfielder sent his volley from 18 yards high over the bar, wasting Boro’s best chance of the opening period.

30 min: Smertin was dispossessed in midfield and the ball found Downing on the left side of the area. His left footed shot swept across goal and fortunately for Fulham Boro had wasted another fine opportunity.

32 min: Bouazza is forced to leave the field after injuring his arm following a tussle for the ball down the left flank. The winger immediately pulled up in agony clutching his right arm. Sanchez was forced to make his second change of the game, replacing Bouazza with Clint Dempsey on the left flank.

37 min: Mido played a neat one-two and broke through Fulham’s back line racing after the return. Bocanegra spotted the danger and raced across to intercept. Superb defending from the American.

39 min: Fulham found their rhythm, prompted by Davis winning possession in midfiled. The midfielder set Davies free down the right flank. Davies earnt a corner and swept his set piece into the area where Dempsey connected with a right footed volley. Schwarzer was forced to make the save at the far post.

42 min: Healy almost doubled Fulham’s lead but Schwarzer pulled of a superb instinctive save. A deep cross to the far post was headed into Healy’s path by Dempsey. The Northern Ireland international pulled the trigger from 12 yards but Boro’s keeper was well positioned to make the save.

45 min: Six minutes was added to the first half following the injuries to McBride and Bouazza. Boateng was booked for a crude challenge from behind on Jo Kamara outside Fulham’s area.

45 min: A Boro cross from the right found Downing on the far post six yards from goal. The England international pulled the trigger but Baird came racing in to deflect the ball behind for a corner. Another piece of strong defensive play from Fulham.

Half-time: Fulham 1 - 0 Boro

Second Half Action:

Southgate made one change for the second period, introducing Jeremie Aliadiere for Tuncay Sanli.

50 min: Following a quiet start to the second period Baird's throw in found Healy on the right wing. The striker raced to the by-line before smashing his delivery into the side netting.

54 min: Boro goal. (Mido) Davis was dispossessed by Arca in midfield and the Boro midfielder teed up Mido on the left hand side of the area. Boro’s new recruit turned outside Baird and sent in a left footed drive to the near post. Warner was well positioned but the ball slipped through the keeper’s grasp and the game was level.

Fulham 1-1 Boro

57 min: Aliadiere was booked for a reckless challenge on Warner. Baird sent a back pass to the keeper who cleared the ball but Aliadiere lunged into the keeper’s feet with his studs raised.

59 min: Jo Kamara smashed the ball into the net from 12 yards but not before Referee D’Urso’s whistle had blown for a foul by Dempsey on Andrew Davies in the build up. The defender received treatment to the head for four minutes following the clash but eventually returned to the fray.

64 min: Aliadiere broke through Fulham’s high back line and raced through for a one-on-one with Warner. The striker rounded Fulham’s keeper but Konchesky tracked back to to challenge for the ball. Konchesky was fouled in the process and earned a free-kick as Aliadiere slotted the ball hoem - Konchesky's pace and effort saved Fulham from going behind.

66 min: Mido went down clutching his ankle. Whilst the striker received treatment Sanchez called his players to the touchline for a brief team meeting. Mido was replaced on 68 minutes by Lee Dong-Gook.

71 min: Wheater's overhead kick was a certain goal before Warner lunged to his right and tipped the ball round the post.

77 min: Jo Kamara was booked for showing his frustration after being adjudged to have carried the ball out of play down the left flank.

80 min: Dempsey missed a great chance to take Fulham level. Davis broke into the box on the right flank and sent the ball across goal. Dempsey raced in at the far post but sends his shot wide of the far post. Two minutes later Davis had a chance in the area but scuffed his volley wide of the goal under pressure.

84 min: Riggott almost gave Boro the lead from a corner. The defender leapt to reach the set-piece and headed downwards, sending his effort inches wide of the far post.

85 min: Dempesy fired in a thunderous right footed shot on goal from 25 yards forcing Schwarzer into a diving save. Both sides searched for the winner in the final minutes.

87 min: Goal Boro (Cattermole). Aliadiere made ground down the right flank and sent a pass through Fulham's defence. Cattermole  sneaked behind Bocanegra and sent his right footed shot into the corner of the net.

Fulham 1-2 Boro

90 min: Sanchez introduced Diop for Davis as the Fouth Official indicated 5 minutes of added time.

90 min: Healy scored for Fulham but the officials ruled it out. Healy raced in on the far post to meet a delivery from the left and appeared to send the ball over the line before Schwarzer's oustretched arm pulled the ball out of the goal.The officials adjudge that the ball had not infact crossed the line and Fulham are denied an equaliser.

90 min: Southgate replaced Dong-Gook with Sebastian Hines.

90 min: Schwarzer is booked for time wasting from the goal kick before Referee D'Urso calls full-time.

Full-Time: Fulham 1-2 Boro

(Attendance: 20,948)

 

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