Fulham 1-0 Norwich
Fulham caretaker manager Kit Symons praised his sides’ defensive solidity as they Norwich to continue their climb up the table.
Sean Kavanagh scored the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute after a swift counter attack.
Lewis Grabban then hit the crossbar for Norwich – who started the day top of the table but have surrendered that position to Watford – from the penalty spot early in the second half.
Despite Norwich enjoying the majority of possession, the Cottagers defence held out to claim their third win under Symons and leave him happy.
He said: “It was a display full of character and commitment, which I was delighted with.
“There was a lot of defending out there and an awful lot of tired players, but they’re very pleased.”
The result sees Fulham move to within a point of safety and continues their promising form.
Kavanagh’s goal was his first for Fulham. The full back found himself in space on the edge of the box after a counter attack and arrowed a low shot past John Ruddy.
Symons added: “Sean’s a player I know very well from the under-18s and under-21s and I have got to say I wouldn’t wish that ball to fall to anyone else’s left foot other than Sean.”
Norwich’s profligacy in front of goal coast them in a match they dominated.
A Dan Burn pull on Cameron Jerome gave the Canaries a penalty just 30 seconds into the second half, but Grabban’s powerful strike thundered against the bar.
The woodwork then denied Norwich’s Josh Murphy and Symons accepted the hosts were fortunate.
“At times we rode are luck and I am sure that Norwich would say that a draw would have been a fair result,” he said.
“But the least you’ve got to do is get what you deserve and if you can nick a little bit more than so be it.”
Fulham have taken nine points from four games under Symons and the committed performance will add more weight to the calls for him to be made manager on a permanent basis.
Feature image courtesy of Fulham FC, with thanks
