QPR 1 Fulham 2 – Christie piledriver earns Whites their first win since Championship restart

BY NICK KITUNO

Fulham boosted their hopes of securing automatic promotion from the Championship with a 2-1 victory over west London rivals Queens Park Rangers.

Despite falling behind to a Jordan Hugill opener, Harry Arter grabbed the equaliser before Cyrus Christie hit a stunning winner with 15 minutes to go.

The Whites’ first victory post lockdown keeps them in the hunt as they are now four points behind second-place West Bromwich Albion, while two points adrift of Brentford in fourth.

For the R’s, their derby day defeat is their third in a row since coming back and keeps them 14th and still eight points above the relegation zone.

QPR began brightly as Hugill headed home from Ryan Manning’s inviting cross, but the lead would not last long as Arter drilled his effort past Liam Kelly for the equaliser on 21 minutes.

The hosts also failed to capitalise on their advantage as Luke Amos blazed over a good chance before Hugill drew a fingertip save from Fulham’s Marek Rodak with a turn and shot.

The second half saw both teams fashion more chances, with Todd Kane and Anthony Knockaert going close, but it was Christie’s piledriver from outside the box which settled the tie on 75 minutes.

Rangers almost clawed back another, when Ryan Manning smashed the bar with a header, but could not find the net again.