Disappointing Fulham beaten by Blackburn

Blackburn 3 Fulham 0

Fulham failed to build on Saturday’s win at QPR as they suffered a defeat that leaves them six points clear of the relegation zone.

In stark contrast to their derby day performance, Slavisa Jokanovic’s side were too flat to make an impression on the Blackburn defence and lacked defensive cohesion as they were convincingly beaten.

Fulham centre-back Michael Madl had two good chances from corners in the first 10 minutes, first seeing a goalbound flicked volley cleared off the line and later firing an effort past the post when well-placed.

But Blackburn were given the chance to take the lead shortly afterwards when Ben Marshall’s jinking run from right-back drew a foul from Luke Garbutt in the box, and he converted the spot-kick himself.

Whites keeper Andy Lonergan fielded a Danny Graham shot and Chris Brown’s header as Blackburn largely controlled the rest of the half.

After the break, Madl’s fine tackle prevented Graham from meeting a Marshall cross while, at the other end, Alex Kacaniklic – who had come on for Garbutt in the first half – sent a shot wide.

Blackburn’s second goal arrived just after the hour mark when Dan Burn brought down Jordi Gomez, and Elliott Bennett’s free-kick was nodded home by Shane Duffy.

Graham shot wastefully wide after pouncing on a Jamie O’Hara error but the striker did grab his first Blackburn goal late on, as he headed in another Bennett cross, though Lonergan got a hand to it.

The Fulham goalkeeper did prevent a heavier defeat as he blocked from Blackburn substitute Simeon Jackson.

Fulham: Lonergan; Madl, Burn, Amorebieta (Labyad 68); Fredericks, Matilla (Ream 57), O’Hara, Cairney, Garbutt (Kacaniklic 34); Dembele, McCormack.
Subs not used: Lewis, Richards, Hyndman, Smith.