Shane Long scored a late equaliser for Hull City as Fulham relinquished a two-goal advantage to be held to a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Fulham missed a good opportunity to break the deadlock in the early stages when Fernando Amorebieta's inch-perfect delivery was somehow missed by Hugo Rodallega, who had found space inside the box.
Hull were agonisingly close to making Rodallega pay for that mistake just moments later, but Nikica Jelavic could only find David Stockdale with a free header from a good position.
© Getty Images
Chances proved to be few and far between following a lively opening to the game, with Long's unsuccessful penalty appeal following a challenge from Amorebieta the only talking point in the closing stages of the first half.
Felix Magath was forced to be proactive at the break as he introduced Ashkan Dejagah and Kieran Richardson, before bringing on Darren Bent just seven minutes into the second half.
© Getty Images
The German's decision to change his side was soon vindicated as Dejagah made the breakthrough by ignoring his options to curl an unstoppable effort into the top corner in the 55th minute.
Fulham doubled their lead three minutes later when another substitute made an impact, with Amorebieta rising highest in the box to head home an inch-perfect cross from Richardson.
© Getty Images
Despite looking in control after taking a two-goal lead, Fulham were dealt a setback with just 15 minutes of normal time remaining when Jelavic headed home after Sascha Riether had miscued a clearance against his own crossbar.
Luck appeared to be on Fulham's side when they enjoyed a moment of good fortune as Sone Aluko watched a deflected effort strike the crossbar with Stockdale beaten.
Dejagah and Bent both spurned opportunities to extend their side's lead late on as Fulham were pushed back by a determined Hull side.
It looked as though the victory was secured when Stockdale tipped Ahmed Elmohamady's shot against the crossbar, but there proved to be one final twist on a dramatic afternoon.
Fulham failed to deal with a long ball into the box, and they paid the ultimate price as Long took advantage of the space gifted to him to head past Stockdale.
No Data Analysis info