Fulham had high hopes of leapfrogging Leeds to the automatic promotion spots on Wednesday when they visited local rivals Millwall.
Fulham had been in red-hot form as of late while Leeds have been struggling, losing three out of last four and suddenly level with Fulham. The game started with a bang-bang double, but that’s all folks. Early goals saw both teams pick one and that was the final result.
It was once again the sole striker Aleksandar Mitrovic who took the visitors ahead on the third minute. He finished off a superb cross by Joe Bryan from the deep and left Millwall keeper Bartosz Bialkowski with no chance. The Serbian has now scored in each of his three games back from the injury, each playing crucial part in securing Fulham points or at least a point. Mitrovic’s tally is now 21 and he is one goal ahead of Brentford’s Ollie Watkins in the Championship scoring race. The early goal did not rattle the hosts, who almost instantly pegged one back. After a commotion from a corner kick, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson found the net from a close range, which looked an awful lot like an offside. Fulham manager Scott Parker was understandably livid, but the decision stuck.
The hosts were inches away from scoring again on the 22nd minute, with Joe Bryan the culprit who took down Millwall player inside the box. The ensuing penalty was taken by Jed Wallace and blasted off the rim into the row Z. Millwall got energized from the close call and took initiative for a while, before Fulham were able to find their feet and start pushing for the win. Despite controlling the ball for 66% of the game, a hefty 79% in the second half, Fulham once again failed to convert the possession into scoring chances. They managed only two shots on goal all game and both came in the first half. In all due fairness, Millwall did earn their point and Fulham can count themselves lucky to get away with one.
The silver lining in the draw is that Leeds drew as well and the clubs remain at even 56 points, with Leeds on the promotion spot duet to better goal difference of three goals. Fulham has another chance at leapfrogging their rivals on the 15th of February as Barnsley visit Craven Cottage.
