Fulham (0) 3 King 67, Wilson 73, Jimenez 90+5
Burnley (0) 1 Flemming 60 Laurent s/o 90+4
Josh King finally has that first Premier League goal for Fulham in the bag – as he capitalised on a spill from keeper Martin Dubravka to set Marco Silva’s men on their way to victory.
When the keeper failed to gather Sander Berge’s chip into the middle, King was able to twist and turn a shot in from close range – to his obvious delight after having to wait so long to get his name up in lights. It was his 33rd appearance in the league – albeit having been a sub in a majority of those.
The goal cancelled an earlier strike from ex-Millwall striker Zian Fleming and ended the Whites’ desperate search for a goal which had stretched to 392 minutes – more than four matches. They had not scored since the first half against Spurs on March 1.
The breakthrough finally achieved, it was really no surprise that the best player at the club, Harry Wilson cut inside and placed a fine shot into the bottom corner after being picked out by King.
“Harry Wilson, he’s done it again!” chanted relieved home fans. It was his 11th Fulham goal of the season and a great way for him to warm up for Wales’ upcoming World Cup play-off.
That welcome burst of excitement helped us all forget the previous two-thirds of the game, which had left a lot to be desired.
And there was a final flourish thanks to the subs – Raul Jimenez putting away yet another spot kick after that stuttering run-up he has perfected – the penalty awarded after he has shoved in the back going for a lovely chip though the middle from Samuel Chukwueze, another man off the bench. He has now netted all 14 of his Premier League spot kicks.
Josh Laurent, already on a yellow, was sent off in conceding that spot-kick and got his marching orders to underline how that game had got away from the hapless Clarets.
A warm sun-kissed spring afternoon by the Thames to see a contest between two teams with little to play for was not the most enticing of prospects, it has to be said and even the scattering of boos that greeted the half-time whistle were half-hearted.
Burnley had the breezier start but lost Hannibal to injury and almost fell behind when Wilson let fly from just outside the area with a shot not far off target. Wilson also tested Martin Dubravka from just outside the area before curling another shot just over. Once again, he always looked the man most likely.
The Clarets went close when Flemming had a shot blocked by Calvin Bassey’s trailing arm – penalty appeals were waved away – while the striker also forced Bernd Leno into a good reflex save from a close range header.
The Whites looked much livelier kicking towards the Hammy End in the second half and should have scored when King carved his way through the Burnley defence and the final block by Dubravka came out to Rodrigo Muniz, who put the rebound wide with the goal seemingly at his mercy. Muniz then headed a Timothy Castagne cross wide from a good position.
Scott Parker’s side took the lead when Lyle Foster – who had a wretched first half – squared for Flemming to sweep home past an exposed Leno. But that was a signal for Fulham to finally get their act together, with two goals in six minutes and an injury time coup de grace.
Whites: (4-2-3-1) Leno – Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson (Sessegnon 61) – Iwobi, Berge – Wilson (Reed 87), King (Smith Rowe 82), Bobb (Chuwueze 61) – Rodrigo Muniz (Jimenez 82)
Clarets: (4-2-3-1) Dubravka – Walker (Tchaouna 87), Esteve, Humphreys, Hartman – Ward-Prowse (Barnes 78), Laurent – Foster (Edwards 78), Hannibal (Ugochukwu 18), Anthony – Flemming
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