Fulham climb out of drop zone after Oscar Bobb’s late show sinks Coventry

Oscar Bobb’s first Premier League goal for Fulham earned a win against Coventry that lifted Álvaro Arbeloa’s side clear of the relegation zone.

Bobb produced a fine bit of individual skill to score in the 80th minute, twisting his way into the area and bending a shot into the far corner. It was his second goal for the club since his £27m move from Manchester City in January.

That was enough to give Fulham their first away win in nine attempts, a run that dated back to February, a week after they ended their winless start to the league campaign by beating Hull 1-0.

Josh King had earlier hit the post for the visitors, who edged Coventry in just about every department to leave Frank Lampard’s team second-bottom of the table.

The hosts had only brief spells of sustained possession in Fulham’s half, but did little to trouble Bernd Leno on a frustrating afternoon that bought the Coventry fans back down to earth after their 4-1 win against Newcastle in their previous home match.

Quality was in short supply between two teams who started the day in the bottom three. King should have broken the deadlock in the 18th minute when afforded too much space in the box, but his powerful shot rebounded off the top of the upright before Alex Iwobi sent a wild follow-up effort high and wide.

At the other end, Bobby Thomas met Jack Rudoni’s free-kick but got his angles all wrong as he headed well wide, before Brandon Thomas-Asante missed from Jay Dasilva’s cross after a good run forward from Rudoni.

A mis-hit backpass from Antonee Robinson offered Thomas-Asante another chance but his shot lacked power as Leno easily gathered.

While Coventry were piling up half-chances Fulham were the ones bossing possession but, in keeping with their season so far, struggling to turn that dominance into goals. The Coventry defender Milan van Ewijk almost helped them out, deflecting Robinson’s low cross dangerously close to his own goal as it found the side-netting.

Just before the break Calvin Bassey went down in the box claiming a shirt-pull from Thomas-Asante, but the referee Adam Herczeg waved play on with replays suggesting they each had a hold of the other.

The video assistant referee had taken a look, and was involved again early in the second half when Rudoni’s free-kick from the right struck Iwobi on the arm before he cleared, but the Nigerian’s arms were by his side and play was waved on.

Coventry then suffered a major blow when the in-form Thomas, praised by Lampard in midweek, hobbled off just before the hour, replaced by the teenage Manchester City loanee Stephen Mfuni.

The hosts were starting to build some momentum after a series of substitutions but it swiftly ended as Bobb struck with 10 minutes to go.

Coventry tried to respond but a powerful strike from Matt Grimes was blocked and a late penalty appeal for handball against Shea Charles was waved away with the midfielder having had his arm tucked in.