Fulham 1-0 Middlesbrough: Cottagers end Boro six-game unbeaten streak

Middlesbrough played out a disappointing 1-0 defeat on Friday to Fulham.

Jonathan Woodgate's men looked out of sorts as the hosts ran them ragged for most periods of the game.

Woodgate made a change from the team that drew at home to Derby County with Rudy Gestede in for Ashley Fletcher.

This was a surprise given that Fletcher had scored in his last two away games.

Boro missed the work rate of Fletcher as Fulham showed their intent from the start of the game.

The Cottagers wasted no time in going ahead with Anthony Knockaert striking from close range after a low cross from Joe Bryan.

Boro failed to respond with Fulham continuing their domination by carving out opportunities. Only a mixture of good saves from Aynsley Pears, and poor finishing from the hosts kept the scoreline at 1-0 heading to the break.

The second half was more of the same with Boro struggling to get out of their own half.

Fulham thought they had gone 2-0 up after Odoi flicked a freekick from Ivan Cavaileiro, but it was ruled out for offside.

Woodgate made changes late in the game with a double switch involving Fletcher and Nmecha.

It took until the 85th minute for Boro to have their first shot on target with Marek Rodak tipping Paddy McNair's free-kick over the bar.

Boro pushed for a late equaliser, but Fulham hung on to secure the win.

The hosts move to third place, four points behind Leeds United while Middlesbrough remain 16th in the table.