Monk pulls off rescue as Fulham fall short
The question now is how do Fulham react? In only three of the past 10 years have the team finishing third gone on to win the play-offs.
Mental bruising is the usual symptom of those who go so close to promotion and miss out. The fact victory would have sealed a place in the Premier League will only accentuate the psychological suffering.
Cardiff’s draw with Reading was unexpected and, in hindsight, gave Fulham a chance here. But Birmingham had an important task of their own and set about it with greater purpose than Slavisa Jokanovic’s side, whose 23-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt.
On a raucous afternoon at St Andrew’s, Garry Monk completed his survival mission impressively.
At serious risk of relegation since taking over in March, Monk has won five of 11 games and can now look ahead to building a side in his own image next season — though his plans ns could be affected with the club ub likely to fall foul of financial fair air play regulations.
Jokanovic’s focus is more re immediate. At the final whistle tle Fulham players sank to their eir knees as thousands of City fans ns ran on to the pitch. The Birmingham irnan fans sought to console those in white rather than goad and even applauded en masse the travelling supporters rs who sang about Wembley.
It will be a concern for or Jokanovic that on a day of great significance his team m failed to properly show up. The he sparkling style that lit up their ir unbeaten run was replaced by y a rather anaemic imitation.
The Serb must wonder how w his players will now perform in n the crunch of the play-offs — or before a Wembley crowd.
Maybe Fulham just ran out t of steam, having been relentless ess since December. Their rise from Championship obscurity to the edge of the Premier League was something to behold.
But there is not much time to recuperate with the first leg of their semi-final against a resurgent Derby County on Friday.
Derby boss Gary Rowett, a former Birmingham manager, would do well to study his old club for tips on how to beat Fulham. Monk started with two strikers and sent out his side to be aggressive in tackles and positive in possession.
Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ryan Sessegnon were kept very quiet.
having gone so close to the summit of promotion, Fulham could not take the final step. Instead they gave themselves another mountain to climb after the first half. Lucas Piazon missed an early chance and from then on it was Birmingham pushing back the visitors.
Fulham defender Ryan Fredericks had already made a crucial intervention to stop a goal from a right-wing cross when Wes harding advanced down that flank in the 15th minute. his centre was true and Lukas Jutkiewicz arrived to hammer a shot into the top corner.
The stadium buzzed in the sunshine with a carnival atmosphere as Birmingham continued to create chances. Jacques Maghoma set up Jutkiewicz after the half-hour from eight yards out the striker could not quite stretch far enough.
Fulham finally produced something of note after 36 minutes when Stefan Johansen twisted past Maxime Colin but his angled shot was well saved by Birmingham goalkeeper David Stockdale.
Soon after, Birmingham doubled their lead. Fulham did not clear a corner and Jota danced into the box before chipping the ball to the far post for harlee Dean to head down and in.
As Birmingham celebrated, Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald turned to his teammates, questioning, cajoling. It nearly worked when Fredericks ic found Tom Cairney in sp space, but Stockdale produced du a superb save.
Fulham F did threaten a late lat comeback when Cairney headed he a bouncing ball past Stockdale St in the 84th minute. Mitrovic Mi then drew a fine save from fro Stockdale with a header of his h own.
But B it was too little too late. Denis De Odoi allowed Che Adams to beat b him far too easily — like a ab bouncer waving a VIP past the velvet rope — and the Birmingham min striker applied the finish. fini It remains to be seen if Fulham can still join the Premier League elite.