Fulham 1 Leeds United 2 - Raphinha ends 'capital curse' as Whites topple Cottagers
Raphinha's second half strike was enough to earn Leeds United a battling 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.
The hosts quite literally fired the first warning shot 10 seconds into the game as a mix-up in the Leeds defence allowed Ivan Cavaleiro into the box.
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Hide AdLeeds, though, thought they had opened the scoring on 10 minutes through captain for the night Luke Ayling after a dominant period.
Tyler Roberts found space on the left and lifted a lovely ball to the back post for the full-back but his powerful header was cancelled out by yet another marginal VAR call.
United pushed on and did finally have the goal they deserved through Patrick Bamford with Fulham falling asleep at a throw-in.
Whites winger Jack Harrison delivered low and Bamford fired home at the first attempt with a low finish into the bottom corner.
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Hide AdAfter his involvement in the opposition box Ayling was then required to clear off the line following a one-handed stop from Illan Meslier.
Fulham - who had been second best for most of the first half - found a leveller seven minutes before the break.
Joachim Andersen broke free from Ayling at a corner to volley into the net leaving Meslier no chance.
Scott Parker's men picked up where they left off before the break but United this time held firm from a succession of corners.
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Hide AdAt the other end Jack Harrison tested Alphonse Areola which signalled a good spell for Leeds and they made the hosts pay.
Fulham were caught by Kalvin Phillips who stole the ball to find Bamford on the turnover.
United's number nine then slid in Raphinha who took one touch across and prodded the ball into the bottom corner to hand Leeds the advantage once more.
The Brazilian then when close again as did Stuart Dallas who dragged a shot narrowly wide of the post.
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Hide AdLeeds, though, didn't require a third as they secured a rare three points in the capital with the only down point coming through Bamford who limped off late on.
Fulham: Areola; A Robinson, Adarabioyo, Andersen, Aina (Tete 71); Anguissa, Lemina, Reed (Loftus-Cheek 58); Lookman, Maja (Mitrovic 45), Cavaleiro. Subs: Fabri, Hector, Ream, Odoi, Kongolo, Bryan.
Leeds United: Meslier, Alioski, Struijk, Llorente, Ayling, Phillips, Dallas, Roberts, Raphinha, Harrison, Bamford (Klich 77). Subs: Casilla, Koch, Berardi, Jenkins, Shackleton, Costa, Poveda, Gelhardt