Cardiff 0-2 Fulham: Scott Parker's side take command of Sky Bet Championship play-off tie
Josh Onomah's eye-catching solo goal, combined with Neeskens Kebano's late free-kick, put Fulham in control of their Sky Bet Championship play-off tie with a 2-0 win over Cardiff.
The midfielder left multiple Cardiff defenders flat-footed as he danced through the box shortly after half-time before Kebano's curling effort found the back of the net in second-half added time.
It was a tale of two halves for the hosts who enjoyed the better of the chances in the first but defended for large parts of the second.
The result was a deserved one for Fulham who underlined why they were considered one of the best passing sides in the Championship during the season with Cardiff struggling to keep up with them for the majority of the contest.
The big pre-match news came from the Fulham camp with Sky Bet Championship top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic missing from the squad. Scott Parker confirmed that he had a small problem but remained hopeful that he would be available for the second leg.
Neil Harris opted to go with an unchanged Cardiff line-up after they finished the season with three consecutive victories.
On the back of that great form, it was the home side who started the better of the two teams and an incredible piece of defending from Michael Hector prevented them from taking the lead with 13 minutes on the clock.
Leandro Bacuna's swerving effort from outside the area was stopped well by Marek Rodak but fell into the path of Cardiff striker Robert Glatzel, who looked certain to find the net from close range.
👏 That defending from Fulham's Michael Hector! #FFC pic.twitter.com/MrwLJoAojU
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) July 27, 2020
Instead, Hector's last-ditch tackle was enough to not only prevent the ball from going into the net but cleared the danger as well; his intervention was crucial.
Cardiff found themselves enjoying the majority of the chances but Onomah's close range strike was well blocked by Alex Smithies to deny Fulham an opener as half-time approached.
The Bluebirds defence failed to notice the midfielder charging towards the back post from a lofted cross into the area but Smithies was alert to close the angle and divert the ball behind for a corner. Onomah, who rather bravely took the chance knowing there would be a collision afterwards, recovered after a brief moment on the pitch.
Fulham were growing into the game and were denied by the outside of the post in first-half added time. Tom Cairney's curling left-footed effort struck the woodwork with Smithies well beaten; it was a typical threatening ranged strike from the Cottagers captain who had otherwise had a quiet half.
Four minutes into the second-half, Fulham had their lead. Onomah danced through the Cardiff defence having received the ball at the edge of the area before finding the bottom corner from close range.
Questions may be asked of the Cardiff defence but it won't take away from how special Onomah's goal was. With seemingly no room in the box, the Fulham man managed to find various ways through and topped it off with a cool finish that sent Smithies the wrong way.
😱 WHAT A GOAL!
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) July 27, 2020
👏 An incredible effort from Josh Onomah gives Fulham the lead against Cardiff.#FFC pic.twitter.com/qs1c4tVYdK
The second-half was belonging to Fulham who were clearly benefitting from Onomah playing in a more advanced position. His knock down for Bobby Decordova-Reid was hit narrowly over the crossbar by the striker not long after the away side took the lead.
Cardiff's first-half was a contrast to the second. The hosts were struggling to create any real attacking threat and the focus was switched to limiting the score with Fulham on the front foot throughout.
The dominance was evident in the 78% possession that Fulham boasted between the 46th and 70th minute. They were comfortable with the ball, and despite the single goal separating the two sides, comfortable with the situation.
The visitors looked for another and doubled their advantage in the final moments. Sean Morrison was penalised for stopping Cairney at the edge of the area and Kebano's free-kick found the back of the net to give Fulham a commanding 2-0 lead heading into their second leg at Craven Cottage on Thursday.
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