The Tanner Report: Fulham 2 Leeds 1

My first call of the day was from an excited John Pagiter. Pargie said Leeds were evens and he intended to back against them. I agreed.

Last week Leeds were 3 up against Cardiff who clawed it back to 3-3. Last season Leeds faltered in the second half of the season, over-training was attributed.

As for Fulham, we were poor last week against Brentford and suffered two defeats before that.

However, we have not lost that many at home (3). Harrison Reed was returning to protect the back four too.

There was measure of good fortune about Fulham’s first goal.

The penalty awarded against Bobby Decordova-Reid was soft and keeper Casilla  got a hand to Alex Mitrovic’s effort, which still found the  net.

Leeds dominated possession but the Fulham defence, well-marshalled by Alfie Mawson, held firm.

Leeds did equalise in the second half but Josh Onomah with a powerful volley restored the lead.  Many – including me – have been critical of Onomah but he gets better and better.  He is only a young kid finding his feet and first played behing Mitrovic to little effect, but his input is much better now.

So the sequence of 8 tough games, mostly against our peers and local rivals  has ended with 15 points out of 24.

Now we have an easier cycle of Luton away and then Stoke and Reading at the Cottage.

Harry Arter is close to fitness and in January we have loanee Michael Hector as more cover for the back four.

On the bench, Antony Knockaert, Abou Kamara and Neeskens Kebano can  make an impact. Dennis Odoi is close  to finishing his suspension.

So the signs are good.