Late Malone goal earns a point for Fulham
Fulham 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1
Scott Malone rescued a point for Fulham late on after a rousing finish at Craven Cottage.
Fernando Forestieri’s 10th-minute goal, when he fired in off the far post after fine build-up play involving Barry Bannan and Gary Hooper, looked for a long period like it would be enough to win Wednesday the game.
But the Whites saved their best play for the final few minutes and left-back Malone drilled in the equaliser dead on 90 minutes.
For much of the match, Fulham – who were unchanged for the third game in a row after wins over Huddersfield and Brentford – lacked the dynamism seen in those victories and were too careless in possession, against a solid and streetwise Wednesday.
After the goal, Slavisa Jokanovic’s side had been fortunate not to concede a second when Gary Hooper slid the ball past the far post with just the keeper to beat.
They were restricted to headers off target by Kevin McDonald and Sone Aluko either side of the break, both from corners, as they struggled to make an impact in the final third.
But in the final 10 minutes they started to apply some pressure, as Floyd Ayite’s shooting chance was brilliantly blocked by Jack Hunt and Tom Cairney’s follow-up was gathered by Wednesday keeper Keiren Westwood.
Even so, Malone’s goal – drilled home emphatically after a cross from the right had fallen kindly to him – came out of the blue, although Fulham ended injury time strongly and Wednesday were forced to dig in for a point.
Fulham: Button; Fredericks (Odoi 76), Kalas, Sigurdsson, Malone; Johansen, McDonald (Parker 76); Cairney, Aluko, Piazon (Ayite 55); Martin.
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Ream, Sessegnon, Smith.
