Craig Noone scored a stunning equaliser as Cardiff City hit back against Fulham to claim a point in their first match of the new Championship campaign.
The hosts dominated proceedings throughout but found themselves behind after Matt Smith nodded a loose ball into an open goal, but substitute Noone found the top corner from long range late on to ensure the two sides shared the spoils.
Cardiff start on top, Fulham hit back
Cardiff were the much better side throughout the first half, the best chance of the early stages coming when Kagisho Dikgacoi’s outstanding pass split the Fulham defence as he spotted Anthony Pilkington’s direct run into the box. He squared the ball to Joe Mason, who was lurking in the area, but the in-form forward couldn't direct the ball goalwards.
The visitors had their best chance with the interval approaching, though. Record signing Ross McCormack showed a turn of pace on the counter attack, taking Matthew Connolly on, before flashing an effort across goal. Cardiff went even closer when Pilkington turned inside the box but saw his powerful strike deflect against the crossbar and then cleared to safety by Dan Burn.
Just two minutes into the second half, it was Fulham who went ahead. After Simon Moore could only palm Ben Pringle’s over-hit cross against the bar, Smith was first to pounce on the loose ball inside the box and headed home from a mere one yard out. Against the run of play was an understatement, but the Cottagers had the lead
Goalmouth action
Cardiff's naivety at the back almost cost them as Connolly and Lee Peltier cleared shots off the line from Pringle and Tom Cairney respectively within the next 10 minutes. The hosts were outnumbered on quite a few occassions in the second half as Fulham pushed to extend their lead.
The Bluebirds had been desperately unlucky not to get on the scoresheet though, as they continued to carve out opportunities. Mason saw another rifled shot superbly palmed away by Andy Lonergan, before Scott Malone got in on the action as his piledriver went agonisingly over the bar.
However, just as the game looked to be slipping away from Cardiff, Noone conjured get out of jail free card. The substitute cut inside Pringle as he slipped over and curled a beautiful 25-yard shot into the top corner, sending the home fans into raptures.
Late drama nearly costs hosts
Cardiff's efforts almost counted for nothing when the linesman declined to flag Moussa Dembele offside and he raced clear towards goal, looking all set to score, but Connolly again stepped up to put the ball out of danger as he squared the ball for McCormack. On another day both sides could have scored another goal or two, but both managers were forced to settle for a point.