Fulham’s club-record signing impresses in late win over Leeds — Independent 13/9/25
Fulham 1-0 Leeds: Kevin impressed on his cameo but Gabriel Gudmundsson’s 94th-minute own goal proved the difference as the hosts earned their first win of the season
George Sessions
A bright cameo by new signing Kevin inspired Fulham to a
first Premier League win of the season with Gabriel Gudmundsson’s 94th-minute
own goal enough to clinch a 1-0 victory over Leeds.
Fulham boss Marco Silva waited until the 76th minute to
introduce the club’s £34.6m deadline-day signing and Kevin immediately created
two chances, but newly-promoted Leeds looked set for a deserved share of the
spoils.
That was until Kevin’s late long-range effort was tipped
over by Karl Darlow and Gudmundsson headed into his own net from the resulting
corner by Sasa Lukic to consign the visitors to a harsh loss.
All eyes were on Harry Wilson at Craven Cottage after Leeds
failed to sign the Wales winger on deadline day and he surprisingly started for
Fulham.
Wilson, under the watchful eye of Wales boss Craig Bellamy,
lost possession twice early on before his dangerous cross caused a moment of
panic.
Fulham edged the opening exchanges but Leeds created the
first opportunity of note when Brenden Aaronson’s lifted cross found Dominic
Calvert-Lewin, but he headed straight at Bernd Leno from 10 yards in the 16th
minute.
This was Calvert-Lewin’s first start for Leeds as boss
Daniel Farke made five changes from the 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle before
the international break – one enforced with Darlow in for injured first-choice
goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Darlow almost inspired an opener for the visitors as his
long goal kick was headed down by Calvert-Lewin, but Sean Longstaff smashed
over from 18 yards two minutes before the break.
A smattering of boos from the Fulham faithful greeted the
half-time whistle and the glorious sunshine was swapped for torrential rain as
the second half got under way.
Farke’s team remained a threat with Aaronson’s flick saved
by Leno before Leeds attacker Noah Okafor skipped past Joachim Andersen, but
was thwarted by Kenny Tete’s crucial sliding tackle.
Fulham needed inspiration and Wilson nearly provided it with
a superb curled effort from a 58th-minute free-kick, but Wales team-mate Darlow
produced an equally excellent save.
Silva made a double change on the hour mark with Josh King
and Wilson withdrawn for Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore.
It lifted the subdued home crowd with a flurry of Fulham
chances suddenly created as Rodrigo Muniz headed straight at Darlow before
Smith Rowe hit the post only for referee Craig Pawson to bring play back for an
earlier foul.
Kevin was introduced to enormous applause with 16 minutes
left and his cross almost forced the opener, but Lukic fired wide on the turn
before Traore headed over a delivery by the Brazilian winger.
