Crossbar puts block on Fulham’s last hope

FULHAM’S hopes of sneaking an automatic promotion spot crashed off the crossbar at The Hawthorns.

With a play-off place already guaranteed, Scott Parker’s men went into this game with a free hit at one last bid for the top two.

But it wasn’t to be and Parker said it might be beyond them.

A draw was a fair result, but how different it could have been had Anthony Knockaert’s 73rdminute effort not bounced out off the woodwork.

It was a stunning effort, Knockaert getting Aleksandar Mitrovic’s flick-on under control before taking it on the volley and rifling it goalwards from outside the box.

Baggies keeper Sam Johnstone flew backwards through the air but it beat him, only to crash against the goal frame.

That was a heart-stopping moment for the home side for who a point was not a bad result.

Parker said: “It’ll be difficult. We came to win the game and keep the pressure on.

“The longer the game goes on it becomes a little bit more end to end. We tried to change things around a little bit but it didn’t happen. The end goal that has been drummed into these players from day one fortunate enough to play-offs.”

Clear-cut chances were at a premium though Semi Ajayi should have done better when he headed over from eight yards and Grady Diangana curled a great opportunity wide.

That apart there wasn’t too much to worry the keepers though Harrison Reed made a superb last-ditch tackle to prevent Hal Robson-kanu from firing in a shot late on.

The opening 45 minutes offered very little but Ahmed Hegazi had to hoof an Ivan Cavaleiro header off the line.

Baggies boss Slaven Bilic said: “Everything is in our hands. We have two very difficult games.

“The only thing I’m not happy about is we play on Friday and that’s five games in 13 days, which I would like you to check I don’t think it ever happened.

“That’s too much but so be it. I told the guys we are going to be more ready on Friday than we would have been if the game was on Saturday.” is you’re have the