Fulham 2 – 2 B’mouth
Fulham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 in a thriller against resurgent Bournemouth as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a penalty on his return from injury.
The visitors extended their unbeaten run under caretaker Gary O’Neil and led within 64 seconds when Dominic Solanke finished a brilliant move after linking up with Philip Billing.
Fulham roared back through Issa Diop’s header at a corner only for Bournemouth to go in front once more when Jefferson Lerma swept home at the end of another slick attack.
But, having been pulled down by Lerma in the box, Mitrovic coolly slotted home the penalty for his seventh goal of the season to put a stop to Fulham’s slide.
How Fulham fought back twice
The return of Mitrovic came as a much-needed boost to Fulham, but his thunder was stolen inside two minutes. Bournemouth worked the ball out from the back and down the hosts’ right as Billing and Solanke combined with the striker confidently side-footing home first time.
Fulham controlled possession throughout the contest, responding well to the early setback and deservedly levelled as Diop powered a header from Andreas Pereira’s in-swinging corner with Neto unable to keep it out.
Jefferson Lerma puts Bournemouth 2-1 up against Fulham at Craven Cottage
The equaliser sparked Bournemouth back into life and seven minutes later they were back in front. This time Solanke turned provider, laying the ball off for Lerma in the box, who had held his run to stay unmarked, and he converted.
The Cherries were denied a third in the first-half by a superb double save from Bernd Leno to first deny Lerma’s close-range header before Adam Smith followed in with another which he tipped over.
Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma celebrates scoring against Fulham
Marco Silva brought on Willian and Tom Cairney at half-time which gave Fulham more of a spark. They didn’t have to wait long for the equaliser as Lerma wrestled Mitrovic to the floor in the box – and the striker set Leno the wrong way from the spot.
Fulham dominated the final 15 minutes yet were unable to find a winner with Mitrovic firing wide in the final moment of injury time.
What’s next?
Fulham are back in action on Thursday when they host Aston Villa at Craven Cottage, with kick-off at 7.30pm.
Bournemouth are also at home in their next game, with Southampton visiting the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday – kick-off at 7.30pm.
