Fulham 2-1 Leeds

Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira were on target as Fulham made it consecutive victories with a 2-1 win over Leeds United.

The first half was low on clear cut openings, and it was arguably the visitors who went the closest when Bernd Leno repelled Marc Roca’s free-kick.

The second 45 was a much livelier affair, with Wilson’s venomous volley and Andreas’ tap-in putting us in the driving seat.

A João Palhinha own goal ensured a nervy finale, but the Whites professionally and patiently saw the game out to secure a first home win since February – against the same opposition.

Marco Silva was forced into one change from the side that defeated Everton last time out. Daniel James was ineligible to feature against his parent club, so Bobby De Cordova-Reid was drafted into the false nine role, while there was a welcome return for Neeskens Kebano on the bench.

Fulham made a strong start to the game but could have found ourselves behind shortly after the quarter hour mark, had it not been for a spectacular Leno save which kept out Roca’s firmly hit free-kick.

Having shipped 11 goals in their previous two outings, Leeds were putting plenty of emphasis on keeping things tight, and they were doing a good job of it, too, with Andreas’ off target dipper in the 33rd minute a rare sighting of goal.

That did, though, prompt a little more urgency from the Whites, with Willian seeing an effort well blocked by Liam Cooper before Andreas drew a save from Illan Meslier, who then was alert to deny the Fulham man again as he tried to catch him out direct from a corner.

The second half began promisingly, with a quick Kenny Tete free-kick switching play to find Willian on the left, after which he skipped beyond two challenges before seeing his shot deflect marginally wide.

A brilliant run from Wilson, interchanged with a neat one-two with Harrison Reed, almost led to a clear sight of goal, but for a brilliant last ditch tackle by Liam Cooper.

The winger could not be kept at bay for long, though, lashing Fulham in front via the crossbar just before the hour mark with a wonderful volley after Meslier slapped Willian’s floated cross straight into his path. It came about following terrific work through the centre of the pitch by Antonee Robinson.

It had been some time since Leeds had got near the Fulham area, but Crysencio Summerville sent a warning shot into the side-netting, leading to cheers from the away fans behind the goal who thought it had gone in.

Andreas must have thought he’d doubled the advantage when he caught his 20-yard free-kick perfectly, but it smacked against the crossbar with Meslier well beaten.

The Leeds number one was having an unfortunate time of it, and later had a hand in our second. Again it was terrific work from Robinson, whose cross was palmed by Meslier straight into the path of Andreas, who will not score an easier goal throughout the rest of his career, smashing into the empty net from a couple of yards out.

Leno had needed to be alert on several occasions to mop up some through balls into the box, and he continued his good form on 78 minutes by tipping Roca’s fierce strike over the bar.

United did manage to pull a scruffy goal back soon after when the ball fell kindly for substitute Patrick Bamford, who saw his flick divert in via Palhinha.

The Whites came agonisingly close to restoring our two-goal lead immediately through Willian’s free-kick, but Meslier made a fine fingertip stop to push it onto the bar, before scooping the ball away before Andreas could tuck home the rebound.

There was dismay when eight minutes of time were added on at the end – 10 actually ended up being played – but thankfully the most notable action it saw was the return of Kebano who came on to a lovely ovation, to cap a great lunchtime by the banks of the Thames.