Player Ratings – Cardiff City 4, Fulham 2

Neil Etheridge

http://gty.im/1052604748

Could do nothing about Schurrle’s early stunner which was right in the top corner. Brilliant work when he had to run out of his penalty area and, sliding on the ground, used his chest to stop the danger. Diving save from Mawson near the end 7

Bruno Manga

http://gty.im/1018725440

Personally, I’d rather see the centre-back play in his natural position rather that right-back. He is a defender with genuine Premier League quality. But he does a more than adequate job out wide and was a big part of this win 6

Joe Bennett

http://gty.im/1052608852

Linked well with Murphy and together they gave Fulham all sorts of problems going forward. Left-back Bennett is a real help to Murphy down that side and they are building a rapport 6

Sean Morrison (capt)

http://gty.im/1052601674

Captain fantastic. His defensive focus and well-to-win never miss a beat. There is a clear bond between Bluebirds players and Morrison is one of the main reasons for that 6

Harry Arter

http://gty.im/1052598230

Looked absolutely shattered when he went off, but surely loved playing alongside Gunnarsson, who kept watch when the Bournemouth loanee worked to get forward 6

Man of the Match – Josh Murphy

http://gty.im/1052593868

Fulham simply could not deal with the pacey, tricky wide man in the first half. Carried a potent threat whenever he had possession. Replaced by Kadeem Harris nine minutes from the end 8

Callum Paterson

http://gty.im/1052601692

The Scot gives everything he has. Playing in attack between Murphy and Reid, he wins aerial duels and generally makes a real nuisance of himself. Defensively solid, but the fact that he is leading the attack shows how much City need a centre-forward in January 7

Bobby Decordova-Reid

http://gty.im/1052601130

Great attacking instincts and was first to react when the ball ran loose on the edge of Fulham’s penalty area, running on to clip the ball home. I’d love to see him given a run in the starting line-up 7

Aron Gunnarsson

http://gty.im/1052612742

A first appearance of this season for City’s Icelandic Warrior. HIs presence gave Arter more freedom to go forward, knowing Gunnar was covering his back. That long throw of his returned as well. Worth his weight in gold in terms of experience and knowhow 7

Victor Camarasa

http://gty.im/1052613336

Adds a touch of real quality in midfield. Set up City’s fourth goal for Harris having won the ball when a Fulham player slipped. Camarasa is going to be a key player for the Bluebirds 7

Sol Bamba

http://gty.im/1052601662

I do worry about big Sol at times. You know he will give everything for the cause, but at Premier level I’m concerned he can be pulled out of position. To be fair, though, Bamba and Morrison were immense 6

Subs:

Alex Smithies (gk)

Not used

Jazz Richards

for Gunnarsson 77

Kenneth Zohore

Not used

Greg Cunningham

Not used

Loic Damour

for Arter 86

Kadeem Harris

for Murphy 82

Junior Hoilett

Not used

Fulham: Marcus Bettinelli, Ryan Sessegnon, Debis Odio, Calum Chambers (Alfie Mawson 46), Kevin McDonald, Stefan Johansen, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Tim Ream, Andre Scurrle, Maxime Le March, Jean Michael Seri (Floyd Ayite 58). Subs not used: Sergio Rico (gk), Luciano Vietto, Cyrus Christie, Andre-Frank Anguissa, Aboubakar Kamara.

Referee: Kevin Friend.

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