Fulham v Preston player ratings

jamieohara

Fulham grabbed a 77th-minute equaliser to earn a point against Preston. Here’s how we rated the Whites players in the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

Joe Lewis: 6
Made a good early save from Eoin Doyle but was exposed by flimsy defending for the Preston goal.

Ryan Fredericks: 7
Improved when asked to play further forward as a wing-back in the second half and felt he should have had a penalty on one of his forays forward. When he did get a free-kick a little later, he was booked for sarcastically applauding the referee.

Richard Stearman: 8
Fulham’s best defender and a candidate for man of the match, he got several good blocks and challenges in. Sadly his best work – a committed and fair tackle on Stevie May in injury time – ended with the striker being stretchered off with a knee injury.

Tim Ream: 6
After a shaky start, the American looked more assured after the switch to three at the back.

James Husband: 6
Allowed Joel Garner the header on goal which gave Preston the lead. Got forward well, as both a conventional full-back and a wing-back, and also wanted a penalty – but was fortunate to only see yellow after shoving Peter Clarke to the ground in the ensuing melee.

Jamie O’Hara: 6
Struggled to impose himself in the holding role and caretaker boss Peter Grant admitted afterwards he intended to play the ex-Spurs man further forward, but for the late withdrawal of Sakari Mattila.

Scott Parker: 6
Mattila’s absence gave the 35-year-old his first taste of first-team action since April – and he put in a decent 73-minute shift. His passing was understandably rusty at times but he made a couple of timely blocks.

Sean Kavanagh: 5
Bar one good ball into Ross McCormack, he had a poor first half – to the point where his inevitable half-time substitution was cheered by sections of the home fans.

Tom Cairney: 8
Fulham’s brightest attacking player, the ex-Blackburn man particularly revelled in the greater freedom afforded to him in the 3-5-2 shape and he went close with a free-kick.

Moussa Dembele: 6
Apart from one shot from the edge of the box which was superbly saved by Jordan Pickford, this was a game that largely passed the talented Frenchman by. Let down by a lack of service.

Ross McCormack: 7
Went looking for the ball in the first half but the tactical switch better suited him after the break when Cairney and the wing-backs did the donkey work around the box. Produced the moment of magic – his fifth goal in six games – to earn a point.

Shaun Hutchinson: 7
Replaced Kavanagh at the break to allow Fulham to go 3-5-2 and was a solid performer at the back.