QPR will hope they didn’t use up all their luck in one go.
Somehow Fulham contrived to lose a game they could have won three times over after missing two penalties, striking the frame from a free-kick and missing two sitters.
The blame lies fair and square on the shoulders of Chris Martin and sub Neeskens Kebano for squandering gilt-edged chances – and Sone Aluko could have given the Whites a share of the points with the last kick of the game.
Instead, the Fulham midfielder hammered the base of the post, and it was all over.
Idrissa Sylla breathed a sigh of relief with a diving header to win it for Rs and then gave away the penalty Aluko wasted.
Conor Washington registered his first Championship goal for Rs; Tim Ream levelled straight after the break. Jozabed’s free-kick thumped the bar, and in between, Fulham chances went begging.
Rangers were left with their first three points at Craven Cottage since 1979, and a first Championship win in six attempts.
On such things do seasons turn – maybe for both sides.
Here’s all the action of the game.
Key Events
PENALTY MISSED - AND GAME OVER!
Sone Aluko hits the far post from his spot-kick after a foul by Idrissa Sylla (yellow card) on Jozabed, and seconds later the referee blows for full time.
What an amazing game!
Fulham hit the bar!
A terrific free-kick from Joazabed curls around the outside of the wall and bashes the frame and over. Smithies was beaten, but the woodwork saved him.
QPR should hold on, but...
...Alex Smithies has just tipped over.
How Fulham lost this one, we’ll never know - if indeed they do. We’re playing an additional five minutes at the end of the game.
GOAL! Fulham 1-2 QPR
Idrissa Sylla is allowed a free header at the back post - and this time he does convert
Remember those misses?
QPR get in on the act of near things.
Nedum Onuoha heads wide at the back post with the goal gaping.
SUB: QPR also make the final change
The less than match fit Lynch is allowed back to the bench. Niko Hamalainen on for his Championship debut.
SUB: third and final change for Fulham
Scott Parker, who has been terrific gets rousing applause. Jozabed on in his place.
The attendance is 19,609
Far from a full Cottage, and the biggest culprit is the neutral part of the Putney End, which is sparsely populated.
When it comes to misses...
This game has seen more squandered Fulham chances than the six before it.
Sub Kebano misses a diving header on an open goal from a Malone cross. Poor, poor miss.
Here's that battle we promised earlier
Honours even between the now subbed Cairney and makeshift left-back Lynch.
The latter has quietly gone about his work.
QPR goal - but whose?
The jury’s out on the Ranger who got the final touch. We’ll find out later.
Here’s the principle suspects.
SECOND SUB: QPR
Like for like on the Rangers left; the anonymous Wszolek makes way for Olamide Shodipo
QPR get an amazing let-off
Scott Parker shoots towards a near open goal and Steven Caulker facing the wrong way sees the ball ricochet wide off his heel. 1-1.
SUB: Fulham make the first change
The out-of-sorts Chris Martin is replaced by Matt Smith. It’s like for like.
Close!
Ryan Tunnicliffe takes aim from 20 yards and the ball only just flies wide of the QPR right-hand post. 1-1
Fulham equaliser
Smithies could only palm a deep cross from Scott Parker straight to Ream. The American’s first-team action has been thin this season.
It might pay to score against your derby rivals if you want a permanent slot.
Fulham 1-1 QPR
Tim Ream picks up the pieces of a cross and fires left-footed. It takes a deflection on the way in.
HALF TIME: Fulham 0-1 QPR
Rangers hold the advantage at the break - but fortune has smiled on them.
It rained, and then Fulham rained shots towards the Hoops goal.
Good defending, and a dreadful miss from Martin has brought an unexpected scoreline.
Stay here for what is likely to be a pulsating second period.
A penalty miss and a QPR goal - 30 minutes
It’s changed the face of the game. Rangers have grown in confidence - but Fulham are doing most of the pressing.
Chances galore for Fulham
The last five minutes have been all Fulham.
Rangers have defended stoutly, but it should be 1-1 with Aluko and Martin coming close.
Desperate defending
A slick passing movement and Aluko is denied at the last by an outstretched leg. This is cracking stuff!
What a miss!
Lucas Piazon clean through, dithers for a second before passing left and Chris Martin makes a complete hash of an open goal to sidefoot wide under pressure, it has to be added.
Fulham 0-1 QPR
Rangers score; a low centre and rolled towards the corner, and converted by Conor Washington. Game on!
Guess what! Le soleil brille as Jean Tigana would say
The rain has abated and it’s sunny here in SW6. Was that missed pen the turning point in Rs season?
Had they been a goal down heads would have dropped. As it is, the ball has mostly been in Fulham’s half for the last two minutes.
Rangers have regained control
A couple of decent attacks and a Chery shot straight at Button, coupled with a great bit of defending as Cairney tried to wriggle through has brought an even contest.