Match Report
Fulham (1) 3-2 (2) Wigan Athletic
Championship Match Day 30 1617 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 11th February 2017 KO: 15:00
Referee:
David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
|
Fulham striker Neeskens Kebano grabbed a stoppage-time winner as Fulham hit back to stun struggling Wigan 3-2 in the Sky Bet Championship match at Craven Cottage.
Floyd Ayite put the hosts ahead on 25 minutes, only for a Scott Malone own goal and Michael Jacobs' strike on the stroke of half-time to turn the match on its head.
However, Denis Odoi equalised in the 71st minute and Kebano sealed a dramatic comeback with the 93rd-minute winner.
Fulham welcomed back Ayite, while Wigan called upon David Perkins to replace James Weir.
The home side started the stronger of the two teams, although both Stefan Johansen and visiting goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard needed lengthy treatment after clashing with each other.
Wigan were seemingly content to defend in the early stages, but mustered their first effort of the game on 22 minutes when, fresh from his two midweek goals against Norwich, Omar Bogle took a free-kick from outside the box which flew straight into the arms of Fulham goalkeeper David Button.
In a game that badly needed a goal, the Cottagers made the breakthrough on 25 minutes. Sone Aluko powered his way to the Wigan byline and produced a low cross for Ayite to sweep home his fifth goal of the season.
The visitors almost equalised immediately in strange circumstances as, with Button inexplicably out of his goalmouth, Bogle robbed defender Tim Ream in the box only to send his effort wide of the returning goalkeeper.
Wigan did pull level on 32 minutes, when a cross by Stephen Warnock was turned into his own net by Malone.
Johansen went close with three minutes of the half left when his run down the right and cross just failed to connect with a Fulham player.
| Match Stats |
Fulham
|
Wigan
|
| Goals |
(1) 3 |
2 (2) |
| |
| Scorers |
Ayité 25 |
Malone og 32 |
| |
Odoi 71 |
Jacobs 45+2 |
| |
Kebano 90+4 |
|
| |
| Goal attempts |
14 |
11 |
| On target |
6 |
4 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
43% |
36% |
| Possession |
73% |
27% |
| Passes |
770 |
283 |
| Pass Success |
87% |
67% |
| Crosses |
33 |
10 |
| Crosses Success |
15% |
10% |
| Corners |
7 |
2 |
| Tackles |
10 |
21 |
| Tackles Success |
80% |
67% |
| Saves |
3 |
3 |
| Fouls |
9 |
14 |
| Offsides |
0 |
2 |
| Yellows |
1 |
2 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
Jacobs was able to get on the end of a cross that gave Wigan the lead in first-half stoppage time, though, Max Power the provider from the left.
The visitors were forced to change their goalkeeper at half-time, with Matt Gilks replacing the injured Haugaard.
Bogle nearly added a third on 52 minutes when he turned and fired in the box, but Button was able to stick out a leg to block his effort.
Aluko went close on 59 minutes for Fulham when his shot from outside the box shaved the crossbar.
The home team were level 19 minutes from time, however, when Odoi struck an excellent 25-yard effort.
Button was forced down low to palm away a Jacobs shot two minutes later, before a run by Callum Connolly in stoppage time failed to yield any joy for Wigan.
And, back at the other end, the match was soon sealed in the hosts' favour when Kebano slotted home in third minute of added time to secure all three points.
Fulham:Button, Odoi, Madl, Ream, Malone, McDonald (Kebano 57), Johansen, Aluko (Parker 80), Cairney, Ayité, Martin (Cyriac 57)
Unused substitutes: Bettinelli, Sigurdsson, Ryan Sessegnon, Lucas Piazon
Goals:
Ayité 25 (right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sone Aluko.)
Odoi 71 (right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stefan Johansen following a set piece situation.)
Kebano 90+4 (right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tom Cairney.)
Booked: Aluko (21,f)
Wigan Athletic : Haugaard (Gilks 45), Connolly, Buxton, Burn, Warnock, MacDonald, Jacobs, Morsy, Power, Perkins (Hanson 65), Bogle (Grigg 90)
Unused substitutes: Kellett, Laurent, Browne, Weir
Goals:
Malone 32 (Own goal)
Jacobs 45+2 (right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Max Power.)
Booked: Dan Burn (61,f), Connolly (70,f)
Referee:: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Attendance: 15,552