Rodallega on target as Fulham are held

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Fulham 1 Birmingham 1

Fulham failed to build on Hugo Rodallega’s fifth-minute strike as Birmingham fought back to earn a deserved draw.

The hosts led when Rodallega finished coolly, but Blues were soon on terms through David Cotterill’s stunning free-kick.

Both sides had numerous chances to take all three points but the visitors created more, despite Fulham having the better of the possession.

Kit Symons’ team almost went ahead inside a minute, but Alexander Kacaniklic could only shoot tamely towards goal after some fine approach play from Rodallega.

But the hosts were soon 1-0 up anyway, Rodaellga showing fine composure in front of goal following Lasse Vigen Christensen’s through-ball to slot home his 11th goal of the season.

Birmingham responded well with a decent spell of pressure and were level inside 15 minutes through a trademark Cotterill free-kick.

The lively Ross McCormack had a couple of sights of goal for the Whites, but Birmingham were looking the more threatening.

Lloyd Dyer headed over the bar, former Brentford striker Clayton Donaldson shot wide when one-on-one with keeper Marcus Bettinelli, who also made a couple of decent saves.

Fulham finally found their rhythm after a unimpressive opening ten minutes after the restart.

Rodallega tested keeper Darren Randolph with a decent strike, Seko Fofana twice narrowly missed the target with fizzing efforts from distance and Kacaniklic also sent an effort just wide.

And with the hosts now on top, Rodallega, McCormack and Kacaniklic all had opportunities to secure a win that would have taken them level on points with their opponents.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Richards, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Stafylidis; Tunnicliffe; Christensen (Roberts 77), Fofana; Kačaniklić; McCormack, Rodallega.
Subs not used: Kiraly, Burn, Grimmer, G.Williams, Woodrow, Dembélé.

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