Sky Bet Championship: Hugo Rodallega strike helps Fulham to 1-0 victory at Leeds

Hugo Rodallega's second-half strike earned Fulham a vital 1-0 victory over Leeds in their Championship clash at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

On a day which could have been all about Rodallega's strike partner, the Colombian made sure it was he who took the headlines as Fulham recovered from last week's 5-0 mauling against Watford.

Forward Ross McCormack was back at Elland Road for the first time since a bitter summer exit and an £11million transfer to the Cottagers, and when he was given the captain's armband it appeared set for him to shine.

But it was Rodellega who got the job done, scoring on the hour as Fulham's recent win one, lose one run stretched to five games.

Leeds offered little in response, their 2-0 victory over Derby a fortnight ago now a distant memory with last week's 4-1 loss to Ipswich and this defeat giving boss Neil Redfearn plenty to ponder.

The goal was a rare moment of class throughout a poor game - the first half in particular failing to get going.

The best chances of it fell to the home side, with Sam Byram involved in both.

FL72 Live

The full-back got into the box 13 minutes in after some neat interplay between Adryan and Alex Mowatt, but his shot from the right side flashed across and just wide.

Byram then swung in a cross which Mowatt leapt to meet only to see his header hit the bar and then thud into beaten keeper Gabor Kiraly on the way down before going out of play.

McCormack had Fulham's best opportunity but, after looking like he was in on goal when chasing up a long ball, he lost his footing and Liam Cooper cleared.

Fulham were better at the start of the second half and Jason Pearce did well to clear up after McCormack got into the box and cut back, and it was not unexpected to see them take the lead on the hour.

Lasse Vigen Christensen took the ball on the chest on the right of the area, slipped past Tommaso Bianchi and pulled back for Rodallega who did the rest from six yards.

Adryan should have got Leeds level but failed to properly connect with what was a four-yard free header from a Billy Sharp cross, while Rodallega should have put Leeds to bed after a counter-attack but hit wildly behind from close range.

He would not be made to pay, though, and Fulham saw it out with some ease, as Leeds also lost key defender Stephen Warnock to a hamstring injury.