Fulham 1 Swansea City 2
A terrible mistake by goalkeeper David Stockdale helped Swansea to victory at Craven Cottage, where the home side’s worrying run continued.
Fulham have now won only one of their last 12 matches and are only four points above the relegation zone.
They went behind to Danny Graham’s first-half goal before Stockdale’s mis-hit clearance led to Jonathan de Guzman making it 2-0.
Bryan Ruiz, fit again after a hamstring injury, pulled a goal back three minutes later but the Whites were unable to find an equaliser.
City, who just about deserved their victory, went in front when Graham pounced on the loose ball and acrobatically fired into the far corner after Stockdale had kept out Nathan Dyer’s shot.
Stockdale, recently recalled from a loan spell at Hull, was given a starting place along with Ruiz, Matthew Briggs, Giorgos Karagounis and Kerim Frei.
After Graham’s 19th-minute opener, Frei sent an effort just wide before Ruiz went close with two free-kicks and also brought a fine save from Gerhard Tremmel with a shot from the edge of the area.
Following a decent start to the second half, Fulham found themselves further behind on 53 minutes, De Guzman slotting home after Stockdale’s woeful kick had struck Whites skipper Brede Hangeland.
Fulham needed to respond quickly and did so, with Ruiz’s goal giving them real hope.
The Costa Rican had the simple task of applying the finishing touch after Dimitar Berbatov had been denied first by the crossbar and then Ashley Williams’ block.
Galvanised, Fulham pushed forward and Tremmel produced a stunning save to keep out Frei’s volley, Kemy Agustien almost turned Ruiz’s cross into his own goal, and Berbatov netted following good work from Karagounis but was offside.
Hangeland was thrown up front in the final 10 minutes as Martin Jol’s men desperately searched for another goal, but Swansea stood firm.
Fulham: Stockdale, Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Briggs, Dejagah (Rodallega 74), Sidwell, Karagounis, Frei (Senderos 83), Ruiz, Berbatov.
Subs not used: Etheridge, Kelly, Riise, Baird, Richardson.
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This post was last modified on 30/12/2012