Fulham 3-1 Sheff Utd

Fulham responded to Monday night's defeat by running out 3-1 winners over Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid opened the scoring in the second-half, before an own goal saw the Blades back into the game. But goals from Captain Tom Cairney and Willian secured the three points on the day for the Whites.

Marco Silva made three changes from the side that faced Chelsea on Monday night, with Carlos Vinicius, Alex Iwobi and Bobby De Cordova-Reid coming in for Raúl Jiménez, Harrison Reed and Harry Wilson.

It was also a special occasion for Tim Ream, who wrote himself deeper into the Fulham history books by reaching his 300^th appearance for London’s Original, joining just 29 other players who have played 300 or more games for the Club since we joined the football league in 1907.

Our first chance of the game fell in the sixth minute of play, when Antonee Robinson and Willian linked up well on the left-hand side, for Robinson to cross the ball into the waiting De Cordova-Reid but it was well defended by the Sheffield United defender to block the shot over the crossbar.

In the 16^th minute, Craven Cottage united in a minute’s applause for Freddie Haynes, a young Fulham fan who unexpectedly passed away at just 16-years-old last month. The Club offers its deepest condolences to Freddie’s family and friends, who were in attendance to witness the poignant moment in Saturday’s game.

Our forwards linked up well once again, with Vinicius holding up the ball fantastically to play through Willian, but his shot at goal was straight at Wes Foderingham who palmed it away. Antonee Robinson’s shot on the follow-up went wide of the mark.

There was a long stoppage in play following what looked like a nasty injury to Sheffield United’s Chris Basham, who was stretchered off the pitch and immediately placed into the back of an ambulance. We send our best wishes to Chris and wish him well in his recovery.

The fourth official indicated for 14 minutes to be played of added time in the first half. In the 12^th minute of that period, Andreas Pereira had a brilliant opportunity to break the deadlock when a cross whipped in from the right hand side by Willian finds him at the back post but he mishit his shot only for it to bounce over the crossbar.

It was almost the fastest of starts in the second-half, with Andreas winning the ball in midfield and broke on the Blades’ defence but his shot went wide of the post.

Another counter-attack came five minutes into the second-half, driven by Willian. He cut inside and laid the ball off to Alex Iwobi but his shot was deflected away for a corner.

In the 53^rd minute, the deadlock was finally broken after some liquid football, before Andreas Pereira deftly slid the ball in from the left hand side to Bobby, who only had the ‘keeper in front of him but managed to coolly slot the ball past Foderingham to give us the goal we deserved.

Our lead wasn’t held for too long however, with Sheffield United equalising in the 68^th minute, with Antonee Robinson turning the ball into his own net to bring the scores level.

But in the 76^th minute, a moment of pure brilliance from Tom Cairney got us back into the lead. He won the ball back in midfield, took no more than a few steps forward before blasting the ball from around 30 yards, for it to hit the crossbar and down onto Foderingham’s back and into the goal.

We nearly extended our lead further when substitute Harry Wilson finessed a shot that looked destined for the back of the net but it smacked the post and fell back into play.

It didn’t matter though because our efforts were rewarded with a 92^nd minute goal from Willian, when the ball fell back to him in the box and he was able to stick it past the ‘keeper to secure the three points.