Cavaleiro’s stunning late curler puts Fulham joint top with 2-1 win as Hudderfield remain winless
IVAN CAVALEIRO scored an 80th-minute stunner to fire Fulham joint top of the Championship. And Huddersfield’s deserved defeat left underfire Town boss Jan Siewert with just one point from their first three games. The German has only managed one win in his 19 matches in charge and fans vented their anger. But the goal that […]
IVAN CAVALEIRO scored an 80th-minute stunner to fire Fulham joint top of the Championship.
And Huddersfield’s deserved defeat left underfire Town boss Jan Siewert with just one point from their first three games.
The German has only managed one win in his 19 matches in charge and fans vented their anger.
But the goal that proved to be their undoing on a horrible night in Yorkshire was right out of the top drawer.
As a Fulham moved looked to have broken down, league debutant Steven Sessegnon managed to keep the ball in on the right.
He lifted a deep cross to Aleksandar Mitrovic, who worked the ball to Cavaleiro.
And the Portuguese striker – on loan from Wolves – curled home a ripper past Huddersfield keeper Kamil Grabara.
The Terriers – who clearly have rock-bottom confidence – were not helped when Juninho Bacuna somehow miscued a clearance to cross instead for Mitrovic to head home a 51st-minute opener.
Karlan Grant nodded a temporary leveller six minutes later after goalline technology confirmed it had crossed by an INCH.
But Cavaleiro’s corker means Huddersfield – who really do look tactically clueless – are fifth bottom and also out of the Carabao Cup after a KO from League One club Lincoln.
EMPTY SEATS
And on this performance you have to fear for them.
There were a lot of empty seats as some disgruntled Terriers fans were already voting with their feet.
But Huddersfield almost moved in front early on when Florent Hadergjonaj’s cross found its way to Lewis O’Brien but his shot was blocked superbly by league debut-boy Sessegnon.
The Yorkshiremen started on the front foot and Alex Pritchard’s angled effort went into the side-netting.
However, Fulham went close themselves when Anthony Knockaert raced down the right and his low cross was parried by keeper Kamil Grabara.
It fell to Stefan Johansen, who teed up Ivan Cavaleiro – but the on-loan Wolves man curled his effort wide.
And the Portuguese striker had another great chance as he drove forward – but his effort lacked any venom to trouble Grabara.
Frustratingly, though, Knockaert was free to his right to finish.
Terrance Kongolo did well to stand up to Knockaert and block his shot.
Fulham almost moved in front at the start of the season half.
Mitrovic was played in by Cavelerio. Initially his shot was blocked by Christopher Schindler – but the ball fell back to him and he did not get a clean hit on his effort and it spooned over.
But the Serbian ace was not to be denied moments later.
An up and under into the box was not brought down well by Cavaleiro.
Yet incredibly Bucuna – trying to hock the ball clear – somehow crossed the ball perfectly for Mitrovic to head home at the far post.
However, there was drama down the other end as Huddersfield levelled with their first goal from open play this season – confirmed by goalline technology by the finest of margins
Hadergjonaj produced an excellent right-wing cross and Grant met it with a fine header towards goal.
It appeared that Marcus Bettinelli had managed to claw it to safety – but goalline technology showed it had crossed the line by an inch.
No-one in the stadium would have blinked had the goal not been given – which just shows why goalline technology is such an overwhelming success in judging fine margins.
However, Mitrovic raced clear down the other end and keeper Grabara did well to block his effort.
most read in football
Sessegnon – who linked up well with Knockaert down the right – almost stunned Huddersfield as he tried to squeeze home an effort but keeper Grabara made a fine save.
And Fulham restored their lead when Cavaleiro picked the ball up on the left edge of the box and curled home a beauty.
It was a fantastic strike and Fulham – pre-season favourite to bounce straight back to the Premier League – are looking good.