Fulham end Ipswich's perfect start

Posted Sunday, August 27, 2017 by PA

Ipswich's perfect start to their league campaign came crashing to an end with a 2-0 defeat to fantastic Fulham.

Mick McCarthy's men were vying to open their league season with five straight wins for the first time in their history, but looked far from that side as goals from Neeskens Kebano and Rui Fonte put paid to that.

Fulham put their shaky start behind them to deservedly pick up their first win of the season and defeat means Ipswich have failed to beat Fulham at home in three attempts.

Striker David McGoldrick was named in the Ipswich side despite awaiting the birth of his child but it was Fulham who thoroughly dominated the first half as the hosts tried their best to weather the storm.

It was free-flowing football from Slavisa Jokanovic's side, who unleashed wave after wave of attack in a dominant display.

Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo looked dangerous and had an early strike deflected wide before forcing Bartosz Bialkowski into the first save of the afternoon as the Polish stopper did well to deny the winger from range.

A minute later Bialkowski was indebted to his woodwork as Ryan Fredericks hit the post.

Just after the half-hour mark Bialkowski made a great save with his legs to keep out Stefan Johansen.

But Fulham's persistence paid off as the hosts' resistance finally came to an end in the 35th minute.

Fredericks went surging down the right and his divine cross found the unmarked Kebano, who duly headed past Bialkowski.

Fulham could have been home and dry by the break as Ojo forced Bialowski into another top stop, before Fonte fired against the frame a minute later.

Five minutes before the break McGoldrick missed a great chance to level as he was kept out by David Button, with options on either side.

Ipswich could have levelled immediately after the restart, but Joe Garner could only nod Grant Ward's corner straight at Button.

And they were made to rue that mistake as Fulham doubled their lead down the other end. Kebano almost had a brace as Bialkowski did well to save after the goalscorer turned his man to fire away his shot, but the rebound fell straight for Fonte to smash home the rebound in the 51st minute.

Ipswich valiantly tried to battle back into the game, but it just did not happen for them.

McGoldrick should have done better after driving into the box as he fired straight at Button.

With 15 minutes left goalscorer Fonte had to leave the field with a groin injury.

Late on Cole Skuse had a wildly ambitious effort charged down for the hosts.