Fulham fight back to earn draw against Bournemouth

Bournemouth frontman Dominic Solanke was looking for his 50th league goal in English football, and Fulham made him wait just 62 seconds to hit that landmark as the visitors raced into the lead.

Philip Billing combined with the Englishman, cutting his cross back to Solanke who volleyed past Bernd Leno at the near post, scoring for a third consecutive head-to-head meeting.

Marco Silva’s men responded by piling the pressure onto the visitors and were eventually rewarded with an equaliser. Issa Diop, surprisingly selected over Tosin Adarabioyo, got in front of his marker to head home from Andreas Pereira’s cross.

The Cottagers would be level for just seven minutes though, as Jefferson Lerma stroked home a beautiful side-footed effort from the edge of the area to restore the visitors’ lead.

Fulham had defensive issues throughout the half, and owed going in at the break just one goal behind to a fantastic Leno double-save to deny Lerma and Adam Smith from close range.

A double-switch from Silva at the break paid immediate dividends as the hosts were awarded a penalty. Lerma wrestled Aleksandar Mitrović to the ground inside the area, allowing the Serbian to smash home from 12 yards and level the contest.

The Cottagers’ makeshift defence continued to cause them problems as Bournemouth looked to take the lead for the third time. Leno denied a low drive from Solanke, before Lerma nearly atoned for conceding a penalty with a header that drifted just wide.

Ultimately, neither side could produce the necessary quality to earn the victory, extending Fulham’s miserable record in this fixture, winning just one of the last 11 league meetings with the Cherries.

Continuing a bright start to the season after promotion, both remained inside the top half of the table, although the Cottagers are now winless in three consecutive Premier League games.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)