BRILLIANT BAM IS LION IN WAIT
Bamford proves the difference on day after England snub
PATRICK BAMFORD reminded everyone why he should be in Gareth Southgate’s England plans, as he wrecked Fulham’s hopes of climbing out of the Premier League drop zone.
Not only did Bamford score his 14th goal of the season, a day after Southgate had left him out of this month’s World Cup qualifiers, but he also set up Raphinha for Leeds’ winner, after Joachim Andersen had equalised for Fulham.
Bamford was too clever, too cute for the Cottagers. Were you watching, Gareth?
Southgate opted for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, insisting it was a close call. That would not have been much consolation for 27-year-old Bamford. This performance would.
But both Brighton and Newcastle will have heaved a huge sigh of relief, even before kick-off at the Amex Stadium tonight, that Fulham had not hauled them back with a win.
Cottagers boss Scott Parker had said in the build up to this crucial clash for his team that the time was now, to start turning promising performances into wins.
There was no more room for descriptions of his team having ‘battled hard’ or being ‘gutsy’. There had been plenty of that.
What was needed was a win, pure and simple. It did not come.
Fulham had emerged with three points from a tough run up to this game, against Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City. That needed to be followed up last night.
Instead, this was a major setback for Parker (above). The warning signs were there early on, as Fulham had a massive escape when Luke Ayling headed home, but VAR ruled his effort out for offside against Tyler Roberts.
Craven Cottage would have heaved a sigh of relief, if anyone had been there. Leeds were lively and looking dangerous, stretching the west Londoners and closing down with ferocious energy.
Then Raphinha had the ball in the net, but the linesman’s flag again waved. Fulham had to get a foothold and almost did when Leeds failed to clear and Josh Maja shot on the turn. Illan Meslier half-stopped the ball, and Ayling had to clear off the line. But Leeds were not to be denied, Jack Harrison crossed low and Bamford got there before Tosin Adarabioyo to rifle home. The hosts could have crumbled, but Leeds are always vulnerable from a set-piece.
This time, Ademola Lookman swung in a corner and Andersen got there before everyone to slam his shot home.
Incredibly, it was the 15th goal Leeds have conceded from a corner – more than any other team in the Premier League.
It could have been worse. A minute later, Lookman found Andre-Frank Anguissa and Meslier brilliantly stopped his low shot.
But this game was so open, Harrison weaving into the Fulham area and seeing Alphonse Areola superbly beat away his shot.
However, there was one error too many from Parker’s team.
Mario Lamina carelessly lost the ball to Kalvin Phillips, who found Bamford, he evaded Andersen’s reckless challenge, and slid in Raphinha to finish coolly.
As Fulham pressed, Leeds had more chances, as Areola saved from Raphinha, who had raced through.
It had not been good enough for Fulham. Bamford made sure of that.