Match Report: Fulham 1 - Ipswich Town 2

A heartbroken (See how good my Valentines Day puns are?) Fulham lost their third game in a row today after a second half goal from Ross McCormack didn't provide enough momentum for an equalizer against Ipswich Town.

The game kicked off quite badly, with Fulham giving away a chance to Ipswich forward Freddie Sears in the first minute of action, however it was luckily saved by Marcus Bettinelli. A corner in the 5th minute, taken by Jay Tabb, connected with striker Daryl Murphy, whose header sailed straight into the back of the net, giving the visitors the lead. Jazz Richards was almost given a chance in the 15th minute of the game due to some decent attacking, but unfortunately the right back missed his shot. Alexander Kačaniklić’s low shot around the near post forced Ipswich keeper Bartosz Bialkowski into action, however, the attempt was saved.

With Fulham at attacking pace, a second goal was almost given to Ipswich when Scott Parker’s clearance deflected off Konstantinos Stafylidis and sailed into the sight of Freddie Sears whose shot was luckily saved by Bettinelli, who was again forced into action minutes later after a cross from the left had found its way towards the Ipswich man.

Ipswich managed to make it 2-0 in the 44th minute, when a cross from the left found an unmarked Murphy, who took a touch of a ball and curled the ball through to net his 20th goal of the season, increasing the lead just before the halftime whistle.

The second half kicked off with the Cottagers on the attack, with Ryan Tunnicliffe and Hugo Rodallega missing their shots on goal, the former's attempt from the edge of the box going just wide, while the Colombian's diving header was just off target. Christophe Berra recieved the first booking of the game in the 59th minute for pulling Kačaniklić  back as he attacked toward goal. Ross McCormack took the resulting free kick, which ended up, well, in the Hammersmith End.

The Cottagers managed to get a goal back in the 74th minute, when Ipswich defender Tommy Smith screwed up his clearance, which McCormack slotted into the net with an easy finish to make the score 2-1. Kit Symons decided to use all three of his substituions in this half, bringing Cauley Woodrow on for Lasse Vigen Christensen, Bryan Ruiz for Hugo Rodallega, and Patrick Roberts for Alexander Kacaniklic.

With Fulham searching for an equalizer, a flurry of misses from both sides occured in the final 10 minutes of the game. Kačaniklić made it to the edge of the box, however his shot flew over the net. Ipswich centre back Tyrone Mings’ shot was cleared off the line by Stafylidis, while Bettinelli then saved yet another shot from Murphy, denying a hattrick. A collision between Hutchin and Ipswich sub Stephen Hunt mean that both teams had to play through injury time with 10 men, but a final burst of attacking momentum didn't lead to anything, and Fulham slipped down to 19th (uh oh) place.

Fulham face Millwall at The Den on the 21st of February. COYW!