Fulham vs Norwich City. Sky Bet Championship.
Craven CottageAttendance17,082.
Tuesday 18 October 2016 23:17, UK
Fulham recovered from the misfortune Scott Malone conceding two penalties to earn a deserved point in a 2-2 draw with Norwich.
Graham Dorrans twice took advantage of fouls in the box by Malone to put Norwich 2-0 up at half-time. But goals from Stefan Johansen and former Norwich striker Chris Martin made sure it ended all square.
Newcastle's 2-0 victory at Barnsley means Norwich, who have not won at Craven Cottage since 1986, relinquish top spot.
Tim Ream's lunge on Cameron Jerome on the right of the Fulham box put the home side under pressure early on and Wes Hoolahan's free-kick was deflected over.
Robbie Brady delivered the resulting corner which was met at the near post by Timm Klose, whose header flashed across goal and inches wide.
That was also the case at the other end shortly afterwards when Sone Aluko unleashed a drive that Canaries goalkeeper Michael McGovern did well to tip around his right-hand post.
Norwich went ahead in the 17th minute through Dorrans' penalty. Malone mistimed his tackle on Jacob Murphy and the Scot made no mistake from the spot.
Referee James Linington made a decision that was even more unpopular with the home fans when he awarded Norwich another penalty in the 40th minute.
Again it was Malone who was penalised with the left-back booked for barging Jerome to the floor. And once Fulham captain Scott Parker had been booked for complaining, Dorrans again found the net from 12 yards.
Stefan Johansen curled a free-kick just wide as Fulham began the second period strongly. The same player pulled a goal back in the 55th minute when Chris Martin's shot from the edge of the box hit a Norwich man and Johansen before creeping past McGovern.
Chris Martin then Fulham's equaliser in the 66th minute. Dorrans gave the ball away to Johansen, who set up the Scotland international to beat the exposed McGovern with a measured finish.
Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic:
"We made big mistakes but after we went 2-0 down it was a better performance. We were more solid and started to play good football. Today we conceded two penalties, against QPR we missed two penalties, in two other games we finished the game with 10 players - we make so many big mistakes.
"I am frustrated about many things but if the referee says it is a penalty, it is a penalty."
Norwich manager Alex Neil:
"We lost concentration for 15 minutes and didn't defend well enough to absorb the pressure we were under. It's really frustrating because Fulham's tactics didn't change - we knew what we were up against. But the players are angry with themselves because they know how much it means.
"It doesn't matter as long as you are in and about the top at Christmas. You don't want anybody getting away from you."
