New manager, same results for Fulham, who still sit dead last in the Premier League table after losing 3-1 to Cardiff City. The Bluebirds aren’t out of the relegation battle yet, considering Sunderland will have three games in hand by the end of the weekend, but the win should boost morale - and help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rest easier at night.
As almost everyone with even one eye on the Premier League expected, the first half between Cardiff and Fulham was rather dire. Although the visitors have the worst defense in the league, the hosts hadn’t scored in their last four league matches, and boasted just 19 goals from 28 games. So it came as little surprise that, although the Fulham back line seemed to be constantly struggling, the Bluebirds just couldn’t capitalize.
Until injury time rolled around, that is. Maarten Stekelenburg, with so little to do for the first 45 minutes, had just saved a shot from Kenwyne Jones. Fulham were unable to clear their lines following a corner, and this time the goalkeeper wasn’t so lucky. Craig Noone put the ball back into the center, where it deflected off Sascha Riether, bouncing into the path of Steven Caulker. The Bluebirds captain needed just a touch to knock it into the back of the net.
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Fulham came out after halftime looking much livelier, and Lewis Holtby quickly produced a save from David Marshall. The Spurs loanee got on the end of a cushioned header from Cauley Woodrow, who was marking his first appearance in the Fulham kit, but Marshall did well to preserve Cardiff’s lead.
But the Bluebirds hadn’t kept a clean sheet in their last thirteen league matches. So, in a script almost so predictable it could write itself, Fulham managed to find an equalizer. Johnny Heitinga got on the end of a corner, flicking on for Holtby. The midfielder needed just a tap to score his first for the Cottagers.
It was just ten minutes before the hosts pulled ahead once more, the captain bagging a brace. After a series of corners, Caulker, unnoticed by the hapless Fulham defense, rose up to head in his second.
Fulham’s misery was compounded a few minutes later, when Riether, who’d inadvertently set Caulker up for the first goal, put the ball into the back of his own net. Stekelenburg did well to keep out a shot from Jordan Mutch, but the rebound hit the Fulham defender and bounced back into the net.
Felix Magath tried to stage a comeback by replacing the young Woodrow with veteran striker Darren Bent, but, despite fighting for their survival, the Cottagers could barely threaten. Kostas Mitroglou, unimpressive in his Premier League debut, put a tame shot at Marshall, followed moments later by an equally tame effort from Bent.
Cardiff City: Marshall; John, Caulker, Turner (Theophile-Catherine 90) John; Medel (Eikrem 81), Kim, Mutch; Noone, Jones, Campbell (Daehli 72)
Goals: Caulker 45', 67'; Riether o.g. 71'
Fulham: Stekelenburg; Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Riise (Kacaniklic 45); Dejagah (Karagounis 50), Sidwell, Holtby, Richardson; Mitroglou, Woodrow (Bent 76)
Goals: Holtby 59'