Baleba strikes but Albion beaten at Fulham

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Midfielder equalised with his third goal of the season but two late goals seal 3-1 victory for Fulham.

Bruce Talbot

2024-12-05T21:25+00:00

Carlos Baleba treats the Albion fans to a handstand after equalising at Craven Cottage. 📷 by James Boardman.

An unfortunate own goal by former Fulham player Matt O’Riley either side of two strikes by Alex Iwobi condemned Albion to more disappointment at Craven Cottage and a first Premier League defeat for over a month.

O’Riley deflected a corner into his own net in the 79th minute from Fulham’s first effort on goal in the second half.

Albion had gone behind after just four minutes when Iwobi punished poor defending. The response was impressive and the equaliser from Carlos Baleba on 54 minutes was thoroughly deserved, the midfielder drilling a left-foot shot from outside the box into the bottom corner for his third goal of the season.

Albion looked the likelier winners at that stage but after the own goal Iwobi made the points safe with his second. Albion are yet to win a Premier League game in SW6 - at least there is a quick opportunity to bounce back at Leicester City on Sunday.

Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley join the celebrations with goalscorer Carlos Baleba. 📷 by James Boardman.

Four changes saw skipper Lewis Dunk, Mats Wieffer, Baleba and Simon Adingra come into the side with Dunk starting for the first time since the 1-0 win at Newcastle on 19 October.

Albion started well before conceding a poor goal when Bart Verbruggen’s pass out, intended for Baleba, was intercepted by Iwobi who shifted the ball onto his left foot and guided it past Dunk’s desperate effort to clear off the line.

When the ball broke to him in Fulham’s next attack Iwobi surged towards goal and Igor did well to block his shot.

Eyes on the ball: Pervis Estupinan and Alex Iwobi. 📷 by James Boardman.

Suspended for this game, Fabian Hurzeler was seated high in the Riverside Stand and he would have been pleased with Albion’s response. Joao worked Bernd Leno with a powerful effort and went close again in the 14th minute after Kaoru Mitoma curled an inviting ball in from the left. Calvin Bassey blocked Pervis Estupinan’s shot and when it broke to Joao his effort cannoned off the Fulham defender.

Albion were on top but it wasn’t until the 33rd minute before they threatened again when Adingra should have scored. Mitoma burst down the left, O’Riley dummied his cut-back and Adingra’s connection was sweet but straight at Leno who blocked with his legs. When the corner broke to Estupinan his fizzing drive from outside the D flew narrowly wide.

Harry Wilson has been a thorn in Albion’s side in this fixture and after a quiet first half he nearly scored 30 seconds after the restart but sent a first-time volley wide of the right-hand post.

Joao Pedro is foiled by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno. 📷 by James Boardman.

Van Hecke had his head in his hands when he met O’Riley’s corner with a free header but it landed on top of Leno’s net. Two minutes later, though, the defender played his part in a fine equaliser. The Dutchman’s long pass was adroitly cushioned into Baleba’s path by Joao and the midfielder hit it low and hard first time with his left foot beyond Leno into the bottom corner. 3,000 Albion fans loved the goal and Baleba’s somersaulted celebration.

The visitors were in the ascendancy but 11 minutes from time they fell behind when Andreas Pereira’s inswinging corner from the left hit O’Riley on the back in a crowded six-yard box and flew past the helpless Verbruggen. Dunk’s protest that he had been pushed while trying to clear the ball were waved away by referee Peter Bankes.

Joao Pedro at full stretch in the SW6 rain. 📷 by James Boardman.

Fulham made the points safe with three minutes to go when Iwobi worked a yard of space just inside the box and fired across Verbruggen and into the far corner.

Albion: Verbruggen, van Hecke (sub: Lamptey 71), Dunk, Igor, Estupinan, Baleba, Wieffer, (Gruda 86), Adingra (Minteh 81), Mitoma, O’Riley (Rutter 81), Joao Pedro (Ferguson 81).