1 min
Fulham claimed West London bragging rights over neighbours QPR with a comfortable 4-1 victory at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers had the perfect start when Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring after ten minutes, expertly bringing the ball down with his chest before slotting home.
QPR keeper Seny Dieng then produced a superb save from point black range to deny the forward a second after a scramble in the six-yard box.
The Hoops regrouped and grew into the game though with Chris Willock seeing his curling effort hit the post in the 39th minute.
And an equaliser did eventually come 10 minutes after the interval as Lyndon Dykes perfectly timed a run onto a Willock through ball before taking the ball round Fulham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
However, QPR’s joy was short-lived as Mitrovic struck again in the 67th minute after heading a Neeskens Kebano cross in off the left post before Bobby Decordova-Reid doubled Fulham’s lead four minutes later.
It proved too much for the Hoops to salvage with Antonee Robinson’s deflected shot in stoppage time adding salt into QPR’s wounds.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
QPR keeper Seny Dieng defied physics in the 18th minute to deny a Aleksandar Mitrovic header – had that gone in it could have been even more comfortable for the hosts.
Moan of the Match
Considering his great run of form recently for club and country, it seemed strange Lyndon Dykes did not start for QPR – fatigue from his Scotland exploits perhaps.
Talking Point
An impressive Fulham win was tarnished by Ivan Cavaleiro limping off in the 32nd minute – just how big a blow could that turn out to be?
Man of the Match
Aleksandar Mitrovic – the Fulham striker was only denied a hat-trick by the superhuman goalkeeping exploits of Seny Dieng.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Oliver Langford (Oxfordshire) – the referee was booed by QPR fans after refusing to give a number of potential free-kicks at the end of the first-half.
Atmosphere
Despite the on-going building works on the Riverside Stand, both sets of fans ensured it was still a proper derby atmosphere.
Verdict
Two quick-fire second-half goals may have done for QPR but in truth Fulham made them look average throughout to get their promotion hopes back on track.
