This was Leeds United’s sixth game in London this season and they have yet to win one, and they haven’t won in London since 2017.
This game was 18th placed Fulham (playing in white ) v 12th Leeds United (playing in maroon).
How would this game go, would Fulham get out of the relegation one or would Leeds finally end their London hoodoo?
Keep reading to find out.
It was played at Craven Cottage
Ref for picture:Â https://www.facebook.com/LeedsUnited/photos
Inside the first minute, poor defending from Leeds allowed Lookman in but the ball was cleared for a corner, which came to nothing.
A couple of minutes later, Bamford was in behind the Fulham defence and tried to backheel to Roberts but ball got cleared.
Disallowed goal for Leeds
After 8 minutes, Leeds did good buildup play which ended with Roberts crossing to Ayling who looped his header into the net for his first premier League goal, but VAR disallowed it as Roberts was just offside.
After 19 minutes, Phillips lifted a freekick into the box and Lemina got it back to Areola. Then Dallas passed to Raphinha but Raphinha was miles offside when he put the ball into the net.
Seven minutes later there was pinball in the Leeds area in a passage of play which eventually led to Maja’s turn and shot being saved superbly by Meslier.
1st Leeds goal
Just before the half hour and Leeds went in front as Harrison’s cross was turned in by Bamford with a 1st time side-footed shot which went into the bottom corner.
Fulham equaliser
After 37 minutes Lookman’s corner was crossed in and Andersen got the better of Ayling and curled his foot around him and the ball went into the corner, it was a goal from nothing and a poor one for Leeds to concede.
Three minutes later, Andersen’s header caused a blunder by Struijk and Meslier raced off his line to make sure Cavaleiro didn’t get on the end of it. Fulham kept the ball alive as Anguissa collected Lookman’s pass, and turned and fired a shot low to Meslier’s right but he made a crucial save.
After 44 minutes, Leeds twice gifted the bsall back to Lookman before Reed set Cavaleiro up but Meslier saved.
The last first half action was in stoppage time as a brilliant ball was crossed in by Raphinha low and hard but Bamford and others went too early.
Halftime score:Â Fulham 1-1 Leeds United
So an interesting first half, Leeds on top and Fulham may have felt lucky to be 1-1 at halftime, what would the 2nd half bring?
After 49 minutes, a sliding challenge by Lemina set Fulham away on the counter. Robinson raced down the left wing but he just ran out of space.
Four minutes later, an attempted Raphinha cross blocked for a corner, Fulham couldn’t clear and Leeds had another corner which led to another one which Fulham headed away.
Harrison drove in from the right and forced good, low save from Areola.
After 57 minutes , Fulham managed to get upfield and Lemina beat his man to cut inside from the right, but he was unable to pick a team-mate out in box.
2nd Leeds goal
Just before the hour mark, Leeds went back in front as Phillips was onto Lemina quickly, which allowed Bamford to play Raphinha in for a cool finish into the bottom corner.
After 62 minutes, Fulham claimed handball and a penalty against Bamford as the ball bounced up on his arm, VAR had a look and no penalty.
Heading into the last quarter, Raphinha drove into Fulham pen where he beat his man, but was closed down before he could get a decent contact.
After 79 minutes, Ayling was forced to concede a corner, as Lookman threatened to get there, the corner was lifted towards Mitrovic but Struijk did enough to put him off.
A couple of minutes later, a corner came to nothing for Leeds, but they were soon charging forward again and Dallas dragged his shot narrowly wide.
With a couple of minutes left, Alioski powerfully volleyed at Areola, but he kept Fulham in it with a decent save.
The last action was in stoppage time as Anguissa met a corner at the near post and flicked it across goal, but none of his team-mates were gambling to meet it at the far post.
Fulltime score: Fulham 1-2 Leeds United
A good performance and a good win for Leeds and it means the London curse is over!!!!!!
It left Fulham in the bottom three , but for Leeds United they moved up one place to 11th on 39 points and they are probably safe for a 2nd season in the Premier League.
Highlights of this game at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztN6PfChdTE
It’s an international break now, which means Leeds’ next game will be a home game against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at Elland Road on Saturday 3rd April with a 3pm kickoff.
