Ojo strikes as Fulham down Birmingham 1-0 in the league at Craven Cottage
Action from Fulham v Birmingham. Photo: Yann Tear
Fulham bagged only their third home win of the season in the league, thanks to a 14th minute volley from their Liverpool loan signing Sheyi Ojo.
But an afternoon of dominance was almost undone 15 minutes from the end, when the Whites gifted a toothless Birmingham City a lifeline after Kevin McDonald brought down Emilio Nsue in the box.
Luckily for the home side, Jeremie Boga sent his spot-kick over the bar and into the section of away fans at the Putney End.
A goal then would have summed up a largely underwhelming season for Fulham so far, who seem to be willing the the arrival of the transfer window in order to shake things up.
They should have been out of sight by the time Birmingham won their penalty, but with no out-and-out striker in the starting XI, they did not make their superiority tell fully.
Ojo put the Whites in front with his third goal of the season – converting a cross from the left from Neeskens Kebano, after Tom Cairney’s pass had opened up space behind the City defence.
Ryan Sessegnon nearly doubled the lead when he latched onto a defence-splitting pass from McDonald, but skewed harmlessly wide from close range, and only a fine reflex save on the line from former Whites stopper David Stockdale denied Kebano just before the interval.
After the break, a good move down the right involving Cairney and Stefan Johansen opened up a decent chance for sub Aboubakar Kamara, who fired just wide and, moments later, Johansen forced Stockdale into a fine save.
Birmingham took an hour to cause Marcus Bettinelli any worries – and even then the Fulham keeper did not have to do anything, as a Boga free-kick curled wide.
It was the same with the penalty, which Boga obligingly fired over the bar.
The Whites always looked the more likely scorers, but they spurned chances to kill the contest – Ojo skying the best opening after good work by Sessegnon down the left flank.
Fulham: Bettinelli; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon; McDonald; Cairney, Norwood; Ojo (Djalo 90), Johansen (Fonte 79), Kebano {Kamara 45). Norwood. Subs not used: Button, Graham, Mollo, De La Torre.
