Fulham 4-3 Middlesbrough
Kit Symons was pleased to see Fulham do away with their scrappy nature as they beat Middlesbrough to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.
The Cottagers, who saw their Championship future secured in midweek, led 3-1 heading into the last 20 minutes before late goals from promotion-chasing ‘Boro brought them level.
But, with ‘Boro pushing for a winner in injury time and sending keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos up for a corner, Fulham countered and Ross McCormack rolled into an empty net to complete his hat-trick.
And boss Symons was delighted with the style of football played in their final home fixture of the season.
“Although that makes us five unbeaten, recent games especially here haven’t been particularly pretty,” he said.
“They’ve been scrappy and a bit ugly and we’ve had to play a different way and I’ve had to forgo some of my footballing principles to make sure we got the results we needed.
“The pressure was off us thoguh and as much as the spectre of relegation was no longer around, I wanted a really good performance from the players, as well as getting a result.
“Any time these players pull on a Fulham shirt I’m expecting 100 per cent, and that’s exactly what they’ll give.
“The Championship season deserves a real stand-up finish because it has been fantastic all the way through and I’m sure there’s going to be twists and turns next week as well.”
Michael Turner headed Fulham in-front after 45 minutes before McCormack converted from the spot after being brought down by Daniel Ayala.
Adam Reach pulled one back for the visitors but the hosts were soon 3-1 up when McCormack scored another penalty following George Friend’s red card.
Ayala made it 3-2 and Kike levelled things up with two minutes left of normal time to ensure a dramatic finish.
‘Boro keeper Konstantopoulos went up for a corner with his side in desperate need of a win but this was their downfall as he was caught out allowing McCormack to complete his hat-trick.
“Ross could have gone early with the shot, I’m sure that temptation was there and I’m sure he thought about it,” said Symons.
“But in the end he made the right decision and I was delighted to see that one roll over the line into the back of the net.
“That’s a pressure situation but that’s something that Ross thrives on. He loves those situations and he was probably the calmest man in the Cottage.”
Fulham end their season away at Norwich City on Saturday knowing a win could see them rise as high as 15th and a defeat see them drop to 19th.
Feature image courtesy of Fulham FC, via Youtube, with thanks
