Verdict: Sheffield United doomed but Fulham dream on

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Fulham stuttered their way closer to a safer place with a scrapping 1-0 win over Sheffield United. It could prove to be such a vital three points.

Scott Parker had to admit the basement battle, and battle is the right word, was “massive”.


Actually, it probably relegated a spirited United, But after seven points in a week, it might help keep the Whites in the Premier League.

However, substitute Mario Lemina decided the game needed a telling climax, so he tugged on a Sheffield shirt for a dangerous free-kick that saw Fulham heart rates soar.

Boss Parker predicted that Alphonse Areola would keep his side in games – and did he ever in the dying embers of this one.

The keeper’s shin on Sunday is likely to bear the memento of a painful block to deny Jayden Bogle from the free-kick, but the bruise was well worth it.

Areola just about made sure it was drinking-up time in United’s last chance saloon.

Lookman delivers

Ademola Lookman likes cutting in from the left against United.

He did it at Bramall Lane in October for his first goal in Fulham colours, and he did it again for his latest strike.

His right-foot low hit may have gone through the legs of Aaron Ramsdale, but what a hit!

Watching it in real time made it impossible to see the flight. Ramsdale or any other keeper could only have heard the whistle as it flew past.

But the Whites rode their luck.

None more so when on 66 minutes when Enda Stevens got behind the white wall and side-footed straight at Areola.

The keeper did the necessary, but had Stevens gone for anywhere else, it would have been 1-1 only five minutes after Fulham took the lead.

Whites dig in

Unlike at Burnley in midweek, the home side clung on.

The first half had the cutting edge of a plastic spoon.

Fulham were bad, but Areola could have taken a good book and planted an armchair in the six-yard box such was the ‘threat’ from dull Blades.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed over, and almost by default, Ivan Cavaleiro attempted a shot after 35 minutes from an impossible angle on the right. It was pure selfishness.

How he expected to score when the angle of goal he had visible was five degrees at most, only he will know.

But the classic Fulham moment came a few minutes before the end of the first half, when a flowing move ended with Ola Aina receiving on the right. It needed a first-time outswinger into the mix.

But he stood on the ball, pondered, and eventually the delivery was easily dealt with.

You can probe and press, but that lack of a first-time pass could do for Fulham even now.

Midfield strength

There were pluses besides Lookman and Areola.

A while back it appeared the second defensive midfield role was between Mario Lemina and Harrison Reed.

Andre-Frank Anguissa was a given, or so it seemed, but there are now fans insisting Reed is future England material.

That’s pushing it, at least for the time being, but the former Southampton player was considered back-up before a ball was kicked in September.

It says much about Reed’s drive and determination he is now in the driving seat – and getting better.

There was a second-half moment when he sprinted 70 yards to pressure Ramsdale into a hurried clearance and then sprinted back.

Reed doesn’t deserve to be in a side facing the drop. But his presence may yet be the saving grace that keeps Fulham holding the trapdoor shut.

The unflappable Parker couldn’t help himself at the end.

His out-of-character joyous reaction was a release that said a big game at Craven Cottage went their way for the first time since November 2, and a first double of the season.

United are doomed. Fulham can dream on.