Super subs sink QPR

EVENTUALLY, Fulham shook off t he rust after t wo weeks of Covid-enforced inactivity to claim the local bragging rights and a place in round four.

Substitutes Bobby DecordovaReid and Neeskens Kebano scored in extra time to settle a game that seemed destined for penalties as both sides spurned chances.

But Scott Parker’s changes made the difference against QPR, as Fulham returned to action after having t heir l ast t wo games postponed following a number of positive Covid tests.

Parker, whose side extended their unbeaten run to five games, keeping their third clean sheet in that sequence, said: ‘I’m pleased in the end that when we took it to extra time and after the couple of weeks, we were as strong as we were. Momentum sticks with us, it’s a win, unbeaten in five, a clean sheet as well and overall a lot of positives.’

In the stands, QPR had a reminder of the quality they had, in Eberechi Eze, back to watch his old team following his £20 million summer move to Crystal Palace and what they need, in Charlie Austin, on the verge of sealing a return on loan from West Brom.

They could have done with them on the pitch as QPR were punished for failing to convert chances.

Macauley Bonne was one of the guilty parties for QPR, as was Lyndon Dykes. Fulham had been just as wasteful in front of goal until then; Aleksandar Mitrovic more than once, Josh Onomah and Joe Bryan all missing chances.

QPR’s winless run now stretches t o 10 games and boss Mark Warburton said: ‘We went toe-totoe and looked a good team against a very good team but at the end of the day it’s all about the score.’