Cairney has a cool point
FOOTBALL’S fist-bump era began with ice-cool captain Tom Cairney rescuing a point for Fulham that almost slipped through their sweaty palms.
Most players remembered the new pre and post-match ritual at the weekend’s opening game, but for Bristol City boss Lee Johnson the feverish climax had already brought a headache.
That was when Fulham playmaker Cairney picked a loose ball 25 yards out and reacted while others dithered to drill a superb 84th-minute equaliser.
Nahki Wells had given the Robins a precious lead with a 70th-minute header, but a point was the least Fulham deserved in their quest to chase down West Brom and Leeds.
Scott Parker’s side dominated and created more, but they would have gone home empty-handed if Cairney had not finally beaten in-form home keeper Niki Maenpaa.
Parker felt his side could have been awarded a penalty right at the death, when Maenpaa collided with Cairney, but that would have harsh – and unjust – on City.
“Cairney was simply outstanding today,” said Parker, whose side have only lost once in their last eight games. “He showed another side to him.
“Tom’s been good on the ball. He’s a top player and in a good place. If there’s one criticism I’ve had in the past, it’s that he doesn’t shoot and score more, so perhaps that’s changing.
“It looks like it was a penalty on Cairney at the end. He’s taken him out to then land on the ball. But there is no time to dwell. We must keep pushing.
“The real positives for me is that when we’ve gone a goal down, we’ve looked defeatist earlier in the season. But over the last 14-odd games, we’ve shown real character and belief.”
Bobby Reid’s return to Ashton Gate almost brought him a late winner against his former club, but his effort was blocked in the goalmouth as Johnson’s side clung to a point that keeps them one place behind the play-offs.
Wells scored his 17th of the season – and second since his January move from QPR – when he headed in from Pedro Pereira’s header after Fulham failed to clear.
Boss Johnson said: “We showed really good effort and application, given there were three really young players in our side.”