The game was frsutrating due to the tactics employed by Fulham which resulted in 12 additional minutes over both halves. It is sad to see how low Fulham have fallen to employ such antiquated and outdated tactics.
It may just be a London thing but Fulham actually outdid QPR who came to Deepdale last month with gamesmanship and time wasting. Not only were players going down injured off the ball for no reason but the keeper decided to switch to rugby union tactics of finding touch deep in the Preston half on numerous occasions.
Having said the above, Preston were the authors of their own misfortune and thanks to inept defending against a quality strike force, which is about the only good quality Fulham have, the home side were behind.
Mccormack and Dembele have scored more goals than most in this division. Preston should have been aware but on 5 minutes the usually reliable Clarke and Wright conspired to allow Mccormack a free run at goal as he rounded the keeper to score after 5 minutes.
The vistors had no intention of playing football which was udnerstandable given their situation. Clarke went off with a head injury and Woods soon followed in the first half.
Preston had much of the ball and the visitors were vulnerable with the keeper opting to punch. Set pieces always troubled the visitors but Preston were not accurate enough with their finishing.
The home side did manage to equalise through substitute Vermiji. He made a dashing run down the right throwing in a couple of step overs. He drove into the box beating his man and shooting towards goal beating the keeper who probably should have done better.
It seemed like Preston would then try to capitalise given the possession they had but on the break the home side conceded a free kick. It was slightly furtehr out than the one Mccormack scored at Craven Cottage earlier in the season but Preston knew what was coming.
Mccormack lined up to shoot and atthe last minute Bailey Wright back tracked to stand on the post. He didn't quite make it and Lindegaard rushed across goal pushing the ball onto the post and out.
Unfortunately, as Wright was backtracking he played Dembele onside from the free kick so the striker had a simple tap in. The time wasting had already begun but it intensified after Fulham had re-taken the lead. Seven minutes were added on at the end of the game but Preston were unable to score.