Fulham continued their recent resurgence by seeing off Charlton Athletic 3-0 at Craven Cottage to climb out of the Championship relegation zone.
The Cottagers made a dream start to the contest, finding themselves two goals to the good within the opening 12 minutes through Scott Parker and Hugo Rodallega strikes.
Charlton came out for the second half much improved, but they could not find a way through as Fulham wrapped up the game late on courtesy off Rodallega's second of the night late on.
See how the game unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Championship meeting between Fulham and Charlton Athletic at Craven Cottage. These two sides have made contrasting starts to the season, looking for three points this evening for differing reasons.
The hosts are currently camped inside the bottom three of the division, while the Addicks will move within one point of the league leaders with a win here this evening. Kickoff is now less than 30 minutes away, so let's take a look at how these two sides line up.
TEAM NEWS!
FULHAM STARTING XI: Bettinelli, Hoogland, Bodurov, Burn, Stafylidis, Parker, Christensen, Kavanagh, Ruiz, Rodallega, McCormack
CHARLTON ATHLETIC STARTING XI: Henderson, Solly, Fox, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wilson, Jackson, Cousins, Bulot, Moussa, Tucudean
Charlton's six-goal top scorer Igor Vetokele has not recovered from injury in time for this evening's match, while Rhoys Wiggins also misses out for the visitors with a foot injury. Chris Solly, who was rested against Bolton Wanderers in the week, comes back into the fold, although Simon Church (shoulder) and Joe Gomez (ankle) remain out of action. Yoyi Buyens picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out, ensuring that he is suspended for this one.
In terms of the hosts; Bryan Ruiz, Hugo Rodellaga and Sean Kavanagh all return to the starting lineup, as does former Charlton midfielder Scott Parker. Record-signing Ross McCormack leads the line for Fulham, meanwhile, as they look to continue their recent resurgence.
BENCH WATCH!
FULHAM SUBSTITUTES: Kiraly, Hutchinson, Zverotic, Roberts, Williams, Woodrow, Smith
CHARLTON ATHLETIC SUBSTITUTES: Pope, Morrison, Gudmudsson, Harriott, Munns, Thomas, Ahearne-Grant
Johann Berg Gudmundsson missed the match against Bolton Wanderers in midweek with an ankle injury, but he is deemed fit enough for a place on the bench at Craven Cottage. Kit Symons has proved during his short tenure in caretaker charge of Fulham that he likes to rotate his side, meanwhile, so the likes of Cauley Woodrow and Patrick Roberts will no doubt be given the chance to impress this evening.
Well Fulham appear to have turned a corner under caretaker manager Kit Symons in recent weeks, having taken 10 points from their last 18. That is in stark contrast to the form shown under former manager Felix Magath, who collected just one point from his first seven games this season, before being shown the exit.
Symons has made no secret his desire to take on the job full time, and the battling spirit shown by his players last time out will do his future prospects no hard whatsoever. Three times Fulham trailed at the New York Stadium, and three times they hit back to salvage a draw. Since their terrible run over the first seven games of the season, the Cottagers have lost just one of their last five.
Despite the turnaround, Fulham are still inside the relegation zone - where they have been since August 20 - although they have the opportunity to climb out of the bottom three this evening. A point will be enough, although of course three points will be the target for Symons as he attempts to boost his chances of landing the managerial job.
The starts made between Fulham and tonight's opponents Charlton could not have been more different in the first couple of months of this campaign. One defeat in 13 has seen the Addicks close in on a playoff spot, and a win tonight will see them close right in on the league leaders. Many had written them off in pre-season, but Bob Peeters has done a fantastic job at The Valley to turn around the club's fortunes.
Some will say that Charlton have drawn too many games, but they key to achieving success in this division is to make yourself tough to beat - the Addicks have done just that. Charlton have shared the spoils seven times in all this season, yet three points is very much the target tonight.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: These teams have met back in 2006, playing out a 2-2 draw at The Valley. Earlier that season, Darren Bent's goal wasn't enough for Charlton as Fulham ran out 2-1 winners.
PREDICTION: I'm expecting a really tight, evenly-contested battle this evening between two sides with their eyes on three points. In the end I think home advantage will tell, however, with the Cottagers prevailing 2-1.
We're all set for kickoff at Craven Cottage...
KICKOFF! Referee Keith Stroud gets proceedings underway on the banks of the River Thames.
A good, positive start from Fulham almost leads to a decent opening. Ruiz very nearly latched onto a header into the back post area, but Stephen Henderson was quickly there to thwart the danger.
Up the other end Charlton win themselves a corner, which Andrey Bikey-Amougou latches onto at the near post. The midfielder makes a mess of diverting the ball goalwards, though, with the ball instead going straight out of play.
SHOT! Franck Moussa opts to have a shot from around 25 yards out, which was dragged well wide of goal. Even without the benefit of hindsight, that was always going to be the wrong choice.
GOAL! FULHAM 1-0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC (PARKER)
Wouldn't you just know it - Scott Parker finds the net early on against his former club to put Fulham ahead. The midfielder created the chance himself, winning the ball high up the field before sliding in Ross McCormack. The Scottish international looked to have made a mess of the opening at first, but he put the ball back across goal for Parker to fire home from close range via the crossbar.
"Kit Symons, we want you to stay" belts around Craven Cottage following that early goal. As it stands, Fulham are out of the bottom three. Long way to get yet, of course, but that is the perfect start for the home side.
Parker finds himself in a pocket of space just outside the box, but he goes for the unselfish option of threading it through. Unfortunately none of his teammates were on the same wavelength, with the ball rolling through to Henderson. Fulham playing some really nice football at the moment.
FULHAM 2-0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC (RODALLEGA)
What a brilliant start for Fulham, who have doubled their lead with just 12 minutes on the clock. A ball into the box from the left was not cut out properly by Ben Haim, with McCormack firing away a volley at goal. Henderson produced a solid save to keep out the effort, but Rodallega was standing by to tap the ball home to make it 2-0.
Well surely Fulham's owners should be running down to the touchline to offer Symons a long-term contract right now? The Cottagers are playing some fantastic football at the moment all over the field, and they have a heft lead to show for it. Charlton have just not been able to get into the game at all.
The hosts looking very comfortable as things stand, although Charlton have finally started to string together some passes. The movement of their forward players is not on the same level as their opponents yet, however.
Much better from Charlton, as Morgan Fox swings in a near-perfect cross into the opposition box, but Dan Burn is on hand to clear it away. A sliced clearance from Tim Hoogland put Marcus Bettinelli under a little pressure, yet the danger was averted when he pushed the ball over the bar.
Johnnie Jackson is just receiving some treatment off the field at the moment after he was caught. It led to a little break in play which has allowed the two managers to have a little chat with their players.
Jackson is now back out on the field, as Fulham continue to knock the ball around. There's been just two chances in the game up until this point; both fell to the hosts, which has led to the current 2-0 scoreline.
SHOT! George Tucadean is picked out right on the edge of the box, but much like Moussa earlier in the game he opts to shoot instead of continuing to move the ball, which proves to be the wrong option. That perfectly highlights the difference between the two sides so far, with Fulham making the most of the possession they enjoy in the final third.
CHANCE! Parker is proving a real handful at the moment, winning his side a free kick in a good crossing position out wide. The ball was floated in by McCormack, and despite getting to the ball first, Hoogland directs his header a few yards wide of the target. Really should have done better from there.
Fulham still looking very comfortable, although that can all change in just a second. We've seen it so many times in the past with a side taking control at 2-0 up, only for a lapse of concentration to let the opposition back into the game. No signs of that happening yet, however, as the Whites continue to push.
Incidentally, should Fulham see this game out it will make it 13 points from a possible 21 for Symons in caretaker charge. That is an incredible turnaround considering last season's relegated Premier League outfit registered just one point from their first seven games. It's no surprise that the supporters want him to stay.
Half a chance for Charlton, which is pretty much as good as it gets for them right now. A ball into the box is not dealt with as Bettinelli comes and fails to collect, but an off-balance Jackson can't quite prod it goalwards.
Some signs of encouragement for Charlton at least, although it has been slim pickings for the visiting side all evening. Fulham not really having to break into much of a sweat due to the Addicks' rather predictable nature. Expect that to change in the second 45.
SHOT! Not for the first time this evening, Charlton fail to make the most of the ball in the final third, with Bikey-Amougou blasting well over from the edge of the box.
Not a great deal of action over the past few minutes, with Rodallega's attempt failing to test Henderson. Fulham just happy to see the half out right now.
HALF TIME: FULHAM 2-0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Keith Stroud brings the half to an end, with Fulham still boasting that 2-0 advantage from early on. They came out of the blocks fired up, taking the lead through former Charlton midfielder Parker, before Rodallega doubled the scoreline shortly after.
Bob Peeters now has 15 minutes to sort his side out, because there is no denying they were not at the races in the first half. The sides shared the shot count six apiece, but there was a stark contrast between the use of possession in the final third.
Charlton have seen a few efforts sail well wide of target when better options were available, while Fulham tucked away the game's best two chances. A goal for the visitors will change the whole completion of the game, of course, so Peeters may turn to his bench at the interval.
Bob Peeters facing his second league defeat in the space of a week which has been a rare occurrence during his tenure in charge. He has opted not to make any changes at the break, but surely his side will be fare more fired up in this second half? Let's find out...
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Charlton get this London derby back underway.
Charlton look to hit Fulham on the break but the hosts got plenty of men back, instantly forming a solid shape. They are not pushing forward fast enough, meaning that it is all rather pedestrian in an attacking sense.
SHOT! Much, much better from Charlton. Bulot controls a ball into the box well, and manages to get away a shot which is deflected behind. The resulting corner bobbled around in the box, and Bikey struck it goallwards with a strong shout for a penalty turned down. It looked to be the right choice from the referee, with the handball appeals falling on deaf ears.
SAVE! Tucudean got his head onto the next corner swung into the box, forcing Bettinelli into a sprawling save. This is the Charlton Athletic side that we have been more accustomed to seeing this season. They still have 40 minutes or so to get back into the contest.
Plenty more hunger and desire from Charlton, who continue to press forward putting Fulham under pressure. Stafylidis is forced to turn behind another corner which Burn subsequently powers away.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Fulham bundle the ball home through Hoogland following some chaos inside the box. The linesman's flag was already raised for offside to cut celebrations short, however, which is a real relief for Charlton who have been the much better side since the interval.
CHARLTON SUB: Gudmundsson has been introduced in place of Moussa as we approach the final 30 minutes. He certainly has the ability to make things happen, which is exactly what the Addicks need right now.
Bikey gets away another shot on goal which is deflected behind, but Charlton can't quite turn it home. Incredibly, that's their 11th corner of the night, but like all the previous attempts it comes to nothing.
CHANCE! Decent opportunity for Ruiz to put the game beyond a Charlton side who are increasingly growing into the game. The ball was played into the Costa Rica international inside the box, but he was leaning back which meant that his effort was always rising.
The Addicks enjoying a lot of the ball, yet they are lacking a cutting edge. They keep threatening to score, but without creating the chances Fulham will remain content.
McCormack does well down the right once more before picking out Rodallega in a central position, but his acrobatic effort ended over the bar.
CHARLTON SUB: Morgan Fox's evening is over, as Karlan Ahearne-Grant enters the fray. Can the local boy make a difference?
SHOT! He's only been on the field for a minute or so, but Ahearne-Grant is already involved right in the thick of the action. After some trickery he gets a show away at goal which looked to be heading towards the bottom corner, only to be deflected wide. Charlton upping the pressure now.
Ahearne-Grant again looking a threat, attempting to get in behind the Fulham backline but to no avail on this occasion. Jackson took on a shot-to-nothing shortly after which flew wide of goal.
SHOT! The minutes ticking away for Charlton. They look by far the better team, as they have done since the interval, but they need to get a goal soon. Jackson tries his luck once more, curling an effort wide of the goal.
FULHAM SUB: Cauley Woodrow has a chance to impress with 15 minutes remaining on the banks of the Thames, replacing the rather underwhelming Ruiz.
CHARLTON SUB: The visitors forced into a change of their own - their final one of the night - as Bulot hobbles off the field with Michael Morrison taking his place.
CLOSE! Christensen comes within a few inches of adding goal number three for Fulham, opening up his body to direct a cross towards goal, but he didn't quite have enough on it to find the target.
Bikey has been shoved up top for Charlton now; they have 10 minutes to find two goals. It is certainly doable, but they need to take it up another notch if they are to find one, never mind two. Fulham look promising on the break, meanwhile, particularly through the fresh legs introduced.
McCormack shoots from range... and very nearly finds the river Thames with his effort. Terrible attempt, but it shouldn't matter too much.
With six minutes to go, goals from Scott Parker and Hugo Rodallega early on separate the two sides.
Not a great deal of action to write home about over the last 10 minutes in truth, with the theme of the second half continuing: Charlton largely in command, but Fulham under no real pressure.
SAVE! Henderson rushes out of goal to deny Rodallega who was played through on goal at a tight angle. Good play from Fulham, but it wasn't to be.
FULHAM SUB: McCormack's evening is over, as Elsad Zverotic enters the field.
SAVE! Woodrow shows some great strength to burst into the box, and it took a touch from Henderson to push the striker's low shot away from goal.
GOAL! FULHAM 3-0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC (RODALLEGA)
Well if it wasn't already over, it certainly is now. Charlton have had plenty of the ball in this second half, but Fulham have been far more clinical. Christensen played Rodallega in on goal, with the Colombian bringing the ball back onto his left foot before curling it beyond Henderson.
FULHAM SUB! Well there is a little blemish on Fulham's night as Rodallega appears to have pulled his hamstring. He is forced to leave the field straight down the tunnel in place of Patrick Roberts.
OFF THE POST! Charlton come close to finding a consolation goal through Lawrie Wilson. His strike from the edge of the box took a deflection which saw the ball move away from Bettinelli, but the post came to Fulham's rescue.
FULL TIME: FULHAM 3-0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC
So there we have it, with the referee bringing the game to a close. Fulham's resurgence continues, as they rack up their fourth win in six games, climbing out of the relegation zone as a result.
Charlton sink to their second defeat of the season, meanwhile, and in truth they didn't really turn up this evening. The second-half performance was much improved, yet they could not find a way through with the Cottagers taking the derby-day bragging rights.
Well that's all from me this evening, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you a full match report and all the reaction from Craven Cottage.
