Fulham vs Cardiff: Ryan Babel wins it late to damage Welsh club's slimming survival hopes

A stunning first-time strike from the Dutchman could be fatal for Cardiff's hopes of remaining in the Premier League

It was a game billed as the beginning of Cardiff's great escape, but only served to confirm their steady abseil to relegation as Ryan Babel’s fizzing solo-effort produced the single and decisive flash of brilliance to seal an improbable third successive victory for Fulham.

Despite the contrasting implications of this match, with Cardiff so desperately requiring a win, it was Fulham who triumphed not only on skill, but desire, despite playing for little more than the promise of schadenfreude’s infliction.

And although perhaps cruel, the greatest evidence of a starkly average game was to remind why these two sides sit 18th and 19th in the Premier League. Aleksandar Mitrovic lacked the composure to capitalise on Babel and Tom Cairney’s attacking promise. Cardiff’s most likely attacks came through the wrought angst of Fulham’s own defending. In the end, a lone glimpse of elite skill was all it took to separate two sides destined for the second-tier.

It was supposed to be Cardiff’s rise to a grandstand finish, against a Fulham side playing for little more than pride, but began at half-speed and with a limp. A gusty afternoon at Craven Cottage had hindered the Welsh side’s initial long-ball approach and it was Fulham, buoyed by back-to-back victories, who took an almost reluctant upper-hand in an opening quarter more notable for its mistakes and missed opportunities.

Sean Morrison’s calls for a penalty were turned down after Mitrovic appeared to wrestle him by the collar, before Babel’s cute chop inside opened up the space for the Serbian striker’s first glimpse at goal at the other end, drilling a shot towards the bottom corner that forced Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge into action.

It was a scrappy affair at a windswept Craven Cottage (Getty)

But, eventually, Cardiff began to channel the spite that Neil Warnock was furiously parading up and down the touchline. Victor Camarasa provided the creative spark, drifting into the half-spaces left by the creaking duo of Tim Ream and Maxime Le Marchand, and looking to feed Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Junior Hoilett running beyond.

But just as the game threatened to come alive after 20 minutes, Le Marchand’s attempted clearance caught Denis Odoi square in the chest, with the right-back collapsing headfirst into the ground on the edge of the box, provoking immediate concern from both sides. The 30-year-old was unresponsive, aided by both sets of medical staff and received oxygen before eventually being stretchered off the field after almost ten minutes.

The lull though seemed to spark new will in both sides. A subdued and empty-spaced Craven Cottage finally enlivened for a frenetic 15 minutes that would force openings at both ends. Cardiff targeted substitute Cyrus Christie as both Mendez-Laing and Oumar Niasse basked in the empty space left by the replacement right-back.

Babel again jinked his way inside, red traffic-light dome first, to stop Cardiff’s defenders from closing him down and forcing Morrison into a diving block to divert his shot. Moments later, the Dutch winger finally broke free of the last defender, only to see his smart cutback miscued over the bar by Ryan Sessegnon.

They had at least opened up, finally raising the tempo in a half played out largely in staccato fare, but the streak of class to separate the two sides remained lost.

Fulham battled past Cardiff to sink the Welsh side (Getty)

Warnock attempted to rile the blood of his players at half-time, but instead it was Fulham who carried that same attacking vein into the second-half, stung and with a point to prove. If it weren’t for the sheer wastefulness of Mitrovic, who after some fine interplay between Babel and Cairney, was so alarmed at having clean sight of goal that he thrashed his shot well over the crossbar from 16 yards, they would have taken the lead after just minutes. Joe Bryan stuttered, then stumbled, when put clean through by Cairney’s brilliant chipped ball.

But, finally, Babel's curling shot from 25 yards found the smallest pocket of the top corner, vindicating Fulham's overwhelming spell of second-half dominance, and left a helpless Etheridge sprawled on the floor with Cardiff’s race all but run.

The reality checks were registered here long ago. But at least, even if hope seems to have long left the Cottage, Fulham are now showing flickers of promise under Scott Parker. They are on their way down, but the trajectory is up.

For Cardiff, only visits to Crystal Palace and Manchester United remain. Their relegation could be confirmed before today’s end and for all Warnock’s sheer resilience, the will of their 70-year-old manager was never quite enough to keep them afloat.