Christie rocket ignites Parker’s promotion push

FOR all of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 23 league goals this season, will any prove as crucial as Cyrus Christie’s first? Here, with 15 minutes to play, Fulham’s stuttering promotion push chuntered towards more frustration. Without their suspended talisman, dreams of the Premier League drifted into the west London sky. A good time, then, for Christie (right) to pluck a first league goal for Fulham out of the top drawer. From 25 yards, the right back fired beyond Liam Kelly to secure a win which takes Fulham four points off the automatic promotion places. Boss Scott Parker said: ‘The result was the be all and end all. Cyrus deserves this moment.’ QPR manager Mark Warburton said: ‘We’ve given away three points from a very, very strong display.’ Roared on by speakers in the stands, QPR had led through Jordan Hugill’s first-minute goal before Harry Arter restored parity in the 21st minute and Christie completed the turnaround. It was a huge result for Parker, whose side had suffered two straight defeats. They made a disastrous start when Ryan Manning’s floated ball from the left was allowed to reach Hugill, whose header bounced beyond keeper Marek Rodak. Worse could have followed before the visitors eventually rallied. Shortly after Harrison Reed’s effort from the edge of the box hit one post, Arter’s shot from distance sneaked inside the other. Kelly should have done better in the QPR goal. The same could be said for QPR’s finishing as half-time approached. Bright Osayi-Samuel’s brilliant run ended with Luke Amos blazing over from 12 yards. Then Hugill and Manning combined once more. From another floated cross, the striker was allowed too much space to turn and curl an effort towards goal. This time though Rodak was alert. As both sides pushed for a winner, Todd Kane’s vital interception denied Ivan Cavaleiro. Then, with 15 minutes to play, it took a rocket from his opposite number to settle this match.