Fulham inflict further Friday night misery on QPR with derby victory
Posted Saturday, September 30, 2017 by PA
QPR suffered a familiar Friday night feeling as Fulham won the west London derby 2-1 at Loftus Road.
An own-goal by defender Jack Robinson, who deflected in a shot from Ryan Fredericks, and a Stefan Johansen strike ended Rangers' unbeaten home run this season.
Conor Washington hit a late consolation for Rangers but the defeat extended a remarkable, unwanted record for the hosts who have now lost the last 11 matches they have played on a Friday.
These sides are separated by only three miles and, at kick-off, were just a point apart in the Sky Bet Championship but it was Fulham who catapulted themselves out of mid-table and to within a point of the play-offs.
They should have gone ahead when Fredericks charged forward and played a clever reverse pass to Rui Fonte, but the brother of West Ham defender Jose blazed his shot over.
Tomas Kalas also headed a good chance wide for Fulham and Johansen hit the sidenetting.
Rangers had their chances too, but their finishing was wayward with Luke Freeman, Pawel Wszolek and Alex Baptiste all firing wide.
Jake Bidwell did get a shot on target but it was so weak that Fredericks was able to make a vital block.
Robinson was lucky to still be on the pitch having clumsily brought down Sheyi Ojo as the Fulham youngster raced through on goal.
He escaped punishment that time but was in the wrong place in the 40th minute as former Tottenham youngster Fredericks burst forward again.
The full-back drilled in a low shot from the edge of the area which clipped the heel of Robinson, wrongfooting keeper Alex Smithies as it rolled into the net.
After the break Freeman was inches from equalising with a free-kick which curled the wrong side of the post.
Fulham should have doubled their lead in the 83rd minute after Joel Lynch tripped Neeskens Kebano in the area but Fonte, not enjoying the best of night's in front of goal, skied the penalty.
However, two minutes later Fonte - perhaps wisely - opted to square the ball to Johansen who buried his shot from the edge of the box.
Rangers substitute Washington swept home at the start of nine minutes of stoppage time, but despite some frantic late pressure Rangers could not find a leveller.
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