Fulham 1-0 Leeds United: Fulham end winless run after stoppage-time drama | OneFootball

Fulham were able to kick start their Premier League campaign with an incredible 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Craven Cottage on a stoppage-time own goal.

The two teams’ head-to-head record was evenly balanced before kick-off 12 wins apiece and 10 draws among them in their previous matches. For extensive parts of the match, the game looked set to end in a draw, each side failing to threaten with an inevitable chance before goal.

As it happened

The first half was particularly cautious, with greater industry and defensive resilience. Fulham, despite the home crowd urging them on, managed not a single shot on target by half-time. Leeds was a little better, their high pressing and rapid transitions catching out Fulham at times, but they could not convert their chances in the final third.

The second half was slightly better, with both teams’ managers committing their players higher up the field. Fulham managed two shots on target, Leeds three, but the goalkeepers were not under any great pressure. The introduction of new signing Kevin, who was handed his Premier League debut following his arrival on transfer deadline day, added some spark for the Cottagers. He showed glimpses of brilliance and looks to be a solid attacking option for Fulham in the future.

As the clock ran down towards the 90th minute, the match seemed destined to end in a goalless draw. In deep stoppage time, Saša Lukić sent a ball of hope into the Leeds box. What should have been an easy clearance went horribly wrong for Leeds, as the ball deflected off Tom Cairney’s head and onto, Gabriel Gudmundsson, who unwittingly sent it past his own keeper.

The roar inside Craven Cottage was deafening as Fulham’s players celebrated what had all the hallmarks of a coming of age and release at a difficult start to the season. For Leeds, it was a bitter way to lose a match over which they had some control, undone not by opposing class but by misfortune.

The final whistle sealed Fulham’s first win of the season, lifting them out of the danger zone and providing boss Marco Silva with something to build on. Having got their opening success on the board, Fulham will hope that this dramatic conclusion can serve to instil some confidence in a team that has so far struggled to find its footing. For Leeds, the challenge will be to bounce back quickly and ensure that an injury-time own goal does not spoil their promising start to the season.

The lineups

FUL: Leno; Sessegnon, Bassey, Andersen, Tete; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, King, Wilson; Rodrigo Muniz

LEE: Darlow; Gudmundsson, Struijk, Rodon, Bogle; Stach, Ampadu, Longstaff; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson.