The Tanner Report; Fulham 2 QPR 1
The prodigal son returns. Last season Abou Kamara disrupted a yoga class, held the ball for a penalty from the clutches of regular taker Alex Mitrovic and missed it and, after a bust up with staff at the training ground, he was arrested and shipped out on loan to a Turkish club.
Most of us thought that was the end of Kamara in a Fulham shirt.
But no, he returned this season. With top scorer Alex Mitrovic suspended Scott Parker drafted him for this derby. What a good decision this proved as Kamara scored twice with clinical finishing and was deservedly man of the match.
We feared the worst after three minutes with yet another defensive lapse when poor marking resulting in a low cross which keeper Marek Rodak parried into to the shins of Jordan Hugill to open the account of our West London neighbours.
Fulham were having a torrid time but gradually stabilised. Dennis Odoi is a versatile defender who can play anywhere across the back four but not renowned for his overlapping.
Yet he advanced up field, swivelled and delivered an accurate cross onto the head of Kamara who headed it it low into the net. In a pulsating game, Fulham started the second half with brio and it was inevitable we would take the lead.
After a muffed clearance by the QPR keeper Stefan Johansen found Kamara on his left. He drew the keeper Lumley , opened up his body and glided the ball past him into the net. Now Parker has a dilemma as Mitrovic can and no doubt will return against Swansea
Defending a lead is not our strong point but Tim Ream and Alfie Mawson defended resiliently and behind them Rodak’s handling was exemplary.
We closed the game out to win the West London bragging rights.
We are now fourth but before the end of the year we have testing games against Swansea next Friday, Bristol City, Brentford, Preston and Leeds – all of whom have promotion aspirations.
Home form may be affected by the final pulling down of the old Riverside stand detracting from atmosphere but the signs are positive
