Fulham have survived a second-half fightback from Blackburn Rovers to secure a 2-1 win at Craven Cottage, giving the side back-to-back wins in the Championship.
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The home side were ahead less than five minutes after kickoff as Moussa Dembele powered forward before cutting the ball back into the path of Ross McCormack, leaving the striker with a simple tap in.
Fulham continued to create the majority of the chances in the opening spell, with McCormack having a further effort denied by Jason Steele, before Dembele blasted the ball over.
Blackburn had their first chance of the match just over 15 minutes in when Ben Marshall played the ball forward for Nathan Delfouneso, but Andy Lonergan did enough to keep the hosts ahead.
Fulham were able to double their lead on the half-hour mark after Ryan Tunnicliffe had an effort saved, leaving Dembele to pounce on the rebound, chipping it beyond Steele.
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Blackburn were on the attack early in the second half as they tried to get back into the match, but Jordan Rhodes had an effort cleared off the line, before Lonergan had to punch a Danny Guthrie effort away.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure as Bangaly-Fode Koita played the ball through the middle before attempting to volley in, before a header a couple of minutes later from the summer signing was also kept out by the Fulham keeper.
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Lonergan almost gifted Blackburn a goal when a poor kick from the Fulham keeper only went as far as Craig Conway, but the stopper made amends by tipping the midfielder's curling effort behind.
Blackburn's dominance paid off with just over 20 minutes remaining as Rhodes tangled with James Husband in the Fulham box, resulting in Gary Bowyer's side being awarded a penalty, which the Scottish international stepped up to convert himself, sending Lonergan the wrong way.
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The hosts had a chance to put the win beyond doubt five minutes later as Husband tried to make amends for giving away the spot kick, crossing the ball in for Tom Cairney but his shot was blocked.
Fulham continued to press as the match headed into the final 10 minutes, with McCormack attempting to curl the ball in from a free kick, but Steele was able to stop it sneaking into the top right corner.
Blackburn could have been level just two minutes later as the visitors pressed back down the other end, with Marshall forcing a corner with a long-range effort before Jamie O'Hara cleared the ball off the line following a scramble in the box.
The visitors came closer still as the match headed into stoppage as Koita thumped the ball towards goal after Tommy Spurr launched the ball deep from a throw-in, but the powerful shot struck the post, ensuring that Fulham held on to take all three points.
The result moves Fulham up to 11th in the Championship table, while Blackburn sit 22nd, having failed to secure a win in their first six outings.
Sian Cowper
