Aleksandar Mitrovic made up for missing an 87th-minute penalty with the added time header that secured Fulham’s 1-0 win against Swansea at Craven Cottage.
Mitrovic connected with Aboubakar Kamara’s right-wing cross to deliver his side’s first win in four games and boost their hopes of breaking into the Sky Bet Championship top two.
But moments earlier it appeared as though the Serb would be the villain when he was denied by Swansea keeper Freddie Woodman after Neeskens Kebano had gone down under a challenge from Swansea’s Connor Roberts.
Fulham manager Scott Parker had made no attempt to disguise the importance of this game and Saturday’s visit of Preston.
The home side’s early momentum disappeared, though, and they were fortunate to escape when Andre Ayew out-muscled a defender inside the Fulham penalty area in the 20th minute.
While Parker’s side dominated possession they were unable to create enough good openings and were largely restricted to efforts from outside the Swansea area.
The visitors were entitled to feel satisfied with their defensive efforts – particularly in the way they handled Championship leading scorer Mitrovic – but were forced to spend long periods in their own half.
A rare attack five minutes into the second half brought an unsuccessful appeal for a penalty after Jay Fulton’s cross appeared to strike Joe Bryan’s arm.
Fulham’s late chance to seal the game came when Kebano went down as he attempted to reach Odoi’s cross but Woodman stood firm to deny Mitrovic.
