Bobb opens account to seal another win for Fulham
Oscar Bobb propelled Fulham to a 1-0 victory over Coventry City with his first Premier League goal for the club.
Chances were few and far between at CBS Arena, with Josh King striking the post in the first half before Bobb's decisive strike in the 80th minute.
Alvaro Arbeloa's side started on the front foot, with Bobb and Gonzalo Garcia combining neatly before the latter saw his shot blocked. Moments later, Carl Rushworth was called into action to deny Shay Charles' shot.
Fulham went even closer in the 18th minute when Bobb picked out King inside the box, who controlled nicely before drilling a powerful effort high against Rushworth's right-hand post, with Alex Iwobi unable to turn home the rebound.
Coventry struggled to create many chances of note, although Jay Dasilva's inswinging cross was nodded over the bar by Brandon Thomas-Asante.
Thomas-Asante then squandered a promising opening on the half-hour mark after pouncing on a misplaced pass from Antonee Robinson, but his effort was comfortably saved by Bernd Leno.
Coventry endured another nervous moment just before the break as Robinson sent a bouncing cross into the box for Garcia, with Milan van Ewijk sliding across to intercept, his attempted clearance sending the ball skidding past his own near post and into the side netting.
Charles could not believe he did not break the deadlock in the 69th minute, when Timothy Castagne's knock-on from Bobb's cross found him unmarked at the back post, although he failed to guide the ball home.
With the contest seemingly heading towards a stalemate, Bobb finally produced a moment of magic.
The Norwegian showcased some brilliant footwork to dance past Dasilva and Jack Rudoni before bending a sublime effort into the far corner, leaving Rushworth rooted to the spot and sealing Fulham's second win of the season.
The result marked Fulham's second victory of the season, after a 1-0 triumph over Hull City last time out.
"I'm so happy. Again, a very good game for us in a difficult stadium against a tough team," Arbeloa said after the game.
"This is what we want: run, press, play our football and win games.
"We need goals from Oscar Bobb, Josh King and Gonzalo [Garcia]. They are young players and, obviously, as a coach, it could be easier to sign players with experience.
"Last season, Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez were there – players with 300 or 500 games in their legs and in their heads. Everything is easier when you have that experience.
"But these players are young and have the talent. I trust them because I think they are the present and the future of Fulham. I'm so happy and pleased with this young talent.
"We are working so hard every day. We are a team that need to give our best every day.
"We started preparing for this game at the beginning of the week, and I'm so happy with everybody. This is the way we have to play."
Coventry boss Frank Lampard, meanwhile, saw his losing run extended, and he has now won just three of his past 25 Premier League matches as a coach, losing 18 of those.
"They are a good team and there was not much in it with limited chances," Lampard said.
"That is the story of this league. The gap is what it is. Games like this come along. We want to win but if you can't, don't lose them.
"We were off our usual selves. We have to try and turn that."
Oscar Bobb
Fulham FC
