Cottagers dreaming of VAR as Parker’s men pay penalty

SCOTT PARKER was left wishing for VAR in the second tier of English football as Fulham were denied a last-gasp leveller.

Home fans were outraged that referee Jeffrey Simpson waved away calls for a spot-kick when sub Neeskens Kebano went down under a challenge from Callum O’Dowda.

It would have been a tough call on Bristol City who were good value for a fifth straight win at Craven Cottage.

Four of those have come under boss Lee Johnson, whose family are all Fulham fans.

But he was made to sweat for it in the closing stages after goals in each half from Josh Brownhill and Famara Diedhiou put the visitors in command.

Fulham substitute Aboubakar Kamara pulled a goal back in the 86th minute and Parker believes they should have gained some reward for their grandstand finish.

He said: “I think the referee has obviously made a big mistake and that can happen.

“That is when you want VAR in the Championship.

“Standing there you want it to go to VAR and I think it would be an instant reverse of the decision.”

Johnson revealed O’Dowda told him it was not a foul but admitted if the roles were reversed he would have wanted a penalty.

He said: “I haven’t seen the penalty back but I don’t need to.

“Callum felt he pulled out of the tackle but obviously that is a players’ word for it and I am sure if the roles were reversed I would have a different opinion.”

City winger Niclas Eliasson recorded an eighth assist of the season when his pinpoint left-wing cross was headed in by Brownhill after 26 minutes.

Anthony Knockaert and Fulham top-scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic wasted good chances to level just after half-time.

They proved costly when Diedhiou tapped home in the 76th minute seconds after an outstanding City move which began with midfielder Han-Noah Massengo’s drag-back on the halfway line. The points looked in the bag until substitute Kamara pulled a goal back after Kebano’s

87thminute shot had been pushed out by Bentley.

Then all hell broke loose when Kebano cut across O’Dowda and went down.

Referee Simpson, who had frustrated home fans all afternoon, twisted the knife one more time when he turned away the penalty appeals. Then he rubbed it in by booking Tom Cairney for his protest.

There was still time for Kebano to head against the bar.

Johnson added:

“It was a heart in the mouth moment.

“First half we were absolutely outstanding. The second goal was as good as you will see at this level.”