Middlesbrough held league favourites Fulham to a 1-1 draw away at Craven Cottage in their Sky Bet Championship season opener.

Harry Wilson's first half goal was cancelled out by a late Marc Bola equaliser as the points were shared in the capital.

  • Story of the Match: 

It was a lively start to the fixture with both teams asking questions early on but there were no clear-cut chances in the first 15 minutes. Antonee Robinson however nearly caught out his own goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga five minutes in as his wayward pass back had to be touched wide by the debutant’s outstretched leg.

The Cottagers’ star-man Harry Wilson struck a fine left-footed volley from the edge of the area towards the far corner midway through the first period, but his powerful effort was palmed away neatly by Joe Lumley.

Wilson opened the scoring for The Whites 30 minutes in with a wonderful and just so typical solo goal. The Welshman picked up the ball on the right-hand side of the box and found a yard of space on the edge of the area, evaded his marker, and slotted away a powerful driven shot into the bottom corner.

Middlesbrough looked to get a foot into the game late in the first half with new boy Matt Crooks creating some decent chances, but nothing came about. Neil Warnock’s side went into the break with it all to do in the second half.

Early in the second half, Fabio Carvalho was brought down inside the box by Paddy McNair but shouts for a penalty from the home side were waved away by the referee. It opened up again for Carvalho minutes later as the ball dropped nicely but the 18-year-old blazed his half volley over the bar from a dangerous position.

Neeskens Kebano had a great chance 60 minutes in but his header from six yards out following a fantastic cross from Wilson was straight into the palms of Lumley.

The Whites continued their search for a second in the 70th minute as Kebano put in a dangerous cross towards Wilson but the ball just evaded the midfielder. Alexandar Mitrovic also headed a great chance wide from eight yards out as he got onto the end of another Wilson cross.

Out of absolutely nothing, Boro equalised through a fine finish from Marc Bola, his left footed strike from the left hand side of the box was The Reds’ first shot of the second half but it was enough to get them back into the fixture.

Wilson was sent through on goal five minutes later brilliantly  by Tyrese Francois but he couldn't tuck away the finish to give Fulham a deserved lead late on.

It was end to end football at the end of the fixture with both sides creating dangerous chances but Boro finished the stronger as their fans will head back happy with a point as both sides share the spoils. 

  • Teams: 

Fulham: Gazzaniga, Robinson, Ream, Adarabioyo, Tete, Francois (Cavaleiro 83'), Onomah, Wilson, Carvalho (Kamara 89'), Kebano (Reid 76'), Mitrovic.

Subs (not used): Rodak, Mawson, Seri, Bryan. 

Middlesbrough: Lumley, McNair, Fry, Hall, Bola, Morsy (Jones 71'), Howson, Dijksteel, Crooks, Ikpeazu (Tavernier 56'), Watmore (Spence 55').

Subs (not used): Peltier, Stojanovic, Coburn, Payero.