UK Edition
Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo stretchered off playing for Fulham as they beat QPR 2-1 in west London derby
Fulham climbed to within a point of the play-offs after a thrilling victory over west London rivals QPR to send their 2,987 travelling supporters home with the bragging rights.
The Cottagers took the lead when the luckless Jack Robinson deflected Ryan Fredericks’s shot past his goalkeeper Alex Smithies for an own goal.
Stefan Johansen scored the Fulham second on 85 minutes but Conor Washington's late strike ensured a nervy finale.
The first half surprisingly produced just the one goal. Overall, the victory should have been more comfortable for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side but, with Rui Fonte missing a penalty, Washington's lifeline for QPR and nine minutes of time added on, it was a nervy wait for the Serbian.
“I am always happy when we win some kind of game like the west London derby. I believe we deserve,” said Jokanovic. “We defended well and we won the game. We have to be brave in this kind of situation.”
Fredericks was outstanding, with Liverpool loan winger Sheyi Ojo also looking impressive before being carried off with a painful shoulder injury.
“We are not lucky – we have one more player in hospital tonight,” said Jokanovic before suggesting the injury is believed to be “a dislocated shoulder”.
“People talk about Ryan Sessegnon because he’s a talented player and only 17 but Fredericks is a very important player for our squad.”
Ian Holloway said in his programme notes that Rangers “don’t look anything like a team that’s going to give up or get crushed when a goal goes in”, and so it proved.
Their style was more direct and industrious but they posed plenty of threats. Idrissa Sylla and Luke Freeman both had great chances before Fulham took the lead.
“Sometimes in football you get what you deserve, other times you don’t get,” said Holloway. “If our fans want to have a go at me then I’m sorry, I can’t ask anymore of them than that. I’m proud of my team.”
Rangers weren’t cowed after the break, either, with Freeman a whisker away from equalising with a clever free-kick. But with Fredericks and Sessegnon electrifying down the flanks, Fulham always looked threatening on the break and, when Joel Lynch pulled down Neeskens Kebano, Fonte had the chance to seal victory.
He didn’t take it, firing over. However, he did set up a chance which Stefan Johansen clinically took a minute later. That was seemingly it but when the fourth official indicated nine minutes of injury time, largely due to Ojo’s injury, QPR were revived.
Washington scored via a deflection from close range to ensure a nervy finish during which Fulham somehow survived.
Team Details
QPR (3-4-1-2) Smithies; Baptiste, Robinson, Lynch; Wszolek (Smith 60), Luongo, Scowen, Bidwell; Freeman; Mackie (Washington 76), Sylla (Wheeler 84).
Subs: Lumley, Furlong, Manning, Osayi-Samuel.
Booked Luongo, Mackie, Lynch.
Fulham (4-2-3-1) Button; Fredericks, Ream, Kalas, Sessegnon; McDonald, Johansen; Ojo (Kebano 55), Norwood, Mollo (Odoi 62); Fonte (Cisse 90).
Subs: Bettinelli, Madl, Graham, Djalo.
Booked: Norwood, Fredericks, B