Fulham in charge of play-off semi after Onomah’s magic

LONDON: Fulham took control of their Championship play-off semi-final against Cardiff as Josh Onomah’s superb strike inspired a 2-0 win in the first leg on Monday. Onomah’s moment of magic early in the second half was followed by a fine free-kick from Neeskens Kebano as Scott Parker’s side dominated in south Wales. Fulham will be firm favourites to advance to the final at Wembley when Cardiff visit Craven Cottage in the second leg on Thursday. Fulham, who finished fourth after missing out on automatic promotion on the last day of the season, are now unbeaten in eight matches. “I’m pleased with the result. We need to stay level and there is still a lot of football to be played,” Parker said. “Overall we were outstanding. We had real control about us, caused them a lot of problems and Onomah’s skill has come through.” Relegated from the Premier League last season, Cardiff were 14th when Neil Harris replaced Neil Warnock as manager in November. They eventually finished fifth, but failed to recapture the form that carried them into the play-offs in a disjointed first-leg performance. “We have to defend better for the first goal. We didn’t lay a hand on him,” Harris said. “There was no consistency in refereeing decisions, but it is a great free-kick from Kebano. “I told the players I have been in play-off finals where I have been behind. The first goal at Craven Cottage will be key.” Swansea beat Brentford 1-0 in the other semi-final first leg, with the second leg at Griffin Park on Wednesday. Fulham were without the Championship’s top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, who Parker rested due to a “slight” injury problem. With Mitrovic sidelined, Fulham made a slow start as they chased promotion back to the Premier League after last year’s relegation. Cardiff went close to taking an early lead when Leandro Bacuna’s drive forced an awkward save from Marek Rodak, but Robert Glatzel was unable to turn in the rebound after a superb tackle by Michael Hector on the goalline.