Aboubakar Kamara scored twice as Fulham beat West London rivals Queens Park Rangers to move up to fourth in the Championship table on Friday night.
The hosts had to come from behind after they were stunned by a Jordan Hugill goal inside the first three minutes.
Hugill, on loan from West Ham United for the season forced the ball over the line after Todd Kane’s cross was only parried by goalkeeper Fulham Marek Rodak.
French striker Kamara proved the hero on the night for the Cottagers, after only being named in the starting lineup due to top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic’s suspension.
Fulham were level on 27 minutes when the 24-year-old headed home his first goal of the season. Prior to that, QPR had nearly doubled their lead but for Tim Ream’s effort coming back off the post.
Rodak then denied Nahki Wells and later stopped teammate Alfie Mawson from scoring an own goal. In between these chances for the visitors, Ivan Cavaleiro had hit the frame of the goal for Fulham.
Aboubakar Kamara then sent Scott Parker’s side on course for three points by punishing QPR goalkeeper Joe Lumley for a poor clearance. The striker found the bottom corner shortly after the hour after making the most of the time and space gifted to him.
QPR failed to find an equaliser despite some late pressure. This 2-1 loss is their third defeat in five, leaving them 10th in the table ahead of the rest of the weekend’s action.
As for Aboubakar Kamara, this brace and man of the match performance could be the spark he needs to revive his career at Fuham. It was only his second league start since being arrested after a clash at Fulham’s training ground, then banned from the club and sent out on loan to Turkish side Malatyaspor earlier this year.
Victory has moved Fulham up to fourth after 17 games but would drop down to sixth should three results go against them on Saturday.
