Match ends, Fulham 1, Middlesbrough 1.
FulhamFulham1MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough1
Fulham were frustrated in Marco Silva's first game in charge as Marc Bola cancelled out Harry Wilson's debut goal to earn Middlesbrough a point.
Wilson, a ÂŁ12m signing from Liverpool, put the hosts ahead with a left-footed strike from just outside the box.
Fulham dominated possession but were guilty of missing several chances to double their lead in the second half.
They were made to pay when Bola fired home with 13 minutes remaining from Boro's only shot on target.
The result means none of the three teams relegated from the Premier League last season won their opening fixture back in the second tier after West Bromwich Albion's draw at Bournemouth on Friday and Sheffield United's defeat by Birmingham City on Saturday.
In a lively opening, Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic was booked inside the first 30 seconds for an aerial challenge on Boro captain Jonny Howson before debutant home goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga had to react quickly with his leg to prevent Antonee Robinson's wayward backpass gifting the visitors the lead.
The impressive Wilson was enjoying his debut and opened his Fulham account just before the half-hour mark, picking up a pass from Josh Onomah before shifting the ball on to his left foot and firing past Joe Lumley.
Fulham remained in control at the beginning of the second half with Fabio Carvalho to the fore and the teenager felt he should have had a penalty after a challenge from Sam Morsy before curling wide shortly after.
The hosts continued their dominance, with Neeskens Kebano seeing a header saved by Lumley, before Wilson and Mitrovic both went close to doubling the advantage, but they would be punished for their profligacy.
Substitutes Marcus Tavernier and Isaiah Jones combined neatly to find the unmarked Bola, who drilled a powerful effort across Gazzaniga to put Neil Warnock's Boro on level terms.
The goal galvanised the visitors and Tavernier missed a golden opportunity to seal an unlikely comeback win, blazing over the bar with three minutes to go.
Fulham manager Marco Silva:
"We have players out and in some weeks our team will be stronger and for sure we will be different.
"The physicality of the Championship? The games are always this way. But it is up to you decide what style you want to play and to answer what your opponents do, We have enough players who know what playing in the Championship means.
"Of course there was frustration that we didn't get the result that we wanted and that I believe we deserved.
"At this level when you have chances to be more clinical and kill the game you can be comfortable. We had chances and we were dominant. The goal was a good example. We should score the second goal - but that is football."
Boro boss Neil Warnock to BBC Tees:
"I can't praise the lads enough for some of the defending. I thought overall we did ever so well.
"It was a little bit disappointing at times in the first half but you've got to give Fulham credit - they have such a good squad and such a good team, I think they'll be one of the top teams in the Championship, if not the top team.
"We had to hang in there, which we did. I'm so proud of my lads. We can get better, yes, but to come here and get a good point on the first day, it's not bad.
"We couldn't risk starting Marcus [Tavernier] today - I'm amazed that he's fit. But he came on and he's so lively, he's such a good player and he's disappointed he didn't get a couple of goals."
Line-ups
Fulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21Gazzaniga
- 2Tete
- 16Tosin
- 13Ream
- 33Robinson
- 25Onomah
- 35FrancoisSubstituted forCavaleiroat 83'minutes
- 8WilsonBooked at 71mins
- 28CarvalhoSubstituted forKamaraat 89'minutes
- 7KebanoSubstituted forDe Cordova-Reidat 76'minutes
- 9MitrovicBooked at 1mins
Substitutes
- 1Rodák
- 14De Cordova-Reid
- 17Cavaleiro
- 23Bryan
- 24Seri
- 26Mawson
- 47Kamara
Middlesbrough
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Lumley
- 2Dijksteel
- 4Hall
- 6Fry
- 27BolaBooked at 52mins
- 16Howson
- 25Crooks
- 5MorsySubstituted forJonesat 71'minutes
- 17McNairBooked at 16mins
- 18WatmoreSubstituted forSpenceat 55'minutes
- 9IkpeazuBooked at 36minsSubstituted forTavernierat 55'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Tavernier
- 10Payero
- 14Peltier
- 29Spence
- 32Stojanovic
- 35Jones
- 37Coburn
- Referee:
- Keith Stroud
- Attendance:
- 16,058
Match Stats
Home TeamFulhamAway TeamMiddlesbrough
- Possession
- Home66%
- Away34%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away1
- Corners
- Home4
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Fulham 1, Middlesbrough 1.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Foul by Antonee Robinson (Fulham).
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Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. Patrick McNair (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
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Foul by Kenny Tete (Fulham).
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Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Josh Onomah (Fulham).
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Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Ivan Cavaleiro (Fulham).
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Anfernee Dijksteel (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Fulham. Aboubakar Kamara replaces Fabio Carvalho.
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Attempt missed. Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Jonny Howson.
Substitution
Substitution, Fulham. Ivan Cavaleiro replaces Tyrese Francois.
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Attempt missed. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
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Harry Wilson (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Patrick McNair (Middlesbrough).
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Attempt missed. Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Kenny Tete with a cross.
Goal!
Goal! Fulham 1, Middlesbrough 1. Marc Bola (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Isaiah Jones.
Comments
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When Boro introduced their subs, they should have won it.
However, Fulham have a point and Boro proved a point.
Wilson's a great signing for Fulham, not sure about Silva - he's been dining out on that Watford spell for some time now.
Let’s see how many PL managers are give by Xmas thanks to rainbow chasing owners.
Off the relegated teams i Hope Fulham go back up straight away Harry Wilson will be a fantastic player this season and I hope Fulham win the title.