Fulham beaten at home by Sheffield Wednesday
Fulham 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1
Fulham’s problems in front of goal continued as they slid to their first defeat of the season.
The Whites fielded new signing Rui Fonte up front, but he was unable to make a significant impact as Steven Fletcher’s 64th-minute strike sealed victory for Wednesday.
The result leaves Fulham with a meagre tally of two goals from their first four Championship games – one of which came courtesy of Norwich’s Russell Martin on the opening day.
With neither side able to seize control during a scoreless first period at Craven Cottage, there were few opportunities for Fonte to mark his Fulham debut in style.
The Portuguese forward briefly flickered into life midway through the half, speeding onto a ball out of defence and delivering a cross that narrowly evaded the onrushing Ryan Sessegnon.
The Whites looked at their most dangerous from set-pieces, with Sone Aluko failing to finish off a corner from close range and Kevin McDonald heading Fonte’s free-kick over just before the break.
At the other end, Wednesday rarely mustered much attacking threat, with Gary Hooper miscuing a half-chance and Tom Lees’ header sailing gently into the hands of David Button.
However, the visitors seemed to gain sharpness during the interval and they almost went in front when Barry Bannan’s skidding drive was parried by Button and Fletcher tucked in the rebound, only to be adjudged offside.
Fulham made a double change, bringing on Neeskens Kebano and Oliver Norwood – but it was the Owls who appeared to be lifted as Adam Reach escaped on the left and cut the ball back for Fletcher to lash home first time.
Kebano looked lively and might have levelled the scores when he tricked his way past Morgan Fox and forced Keiren Westwood into his only save of the game.
But that was as close as it got for Fulham and it was only thanks to Button, who denied Fletcher a second from close range, that they remained in contention right up to the final whistle.
