Four goals in seven minutes after Town defender Jordan Spence had been red-carded saw Fulham come from behind to beat the Blues 4-1 at Craven Cottage. Joe Garner gave Town the lead a minute before the break but the match turned on Spence’s dismissal for an off-the-ball barge on Aboubakar Kamara in the 54th minute with Ryan Sessegnon equalising on 69, Kamara securing the lead on 72 and then the pair each scoring again on 74 and 76.

Cole Skuse and Tommy Smith returned to the Town line-up for Kevin Bru, who dropped to the bench, and Adam Webster, who was ruled out due to the achilles injury which forced him off at the weekend. Skuse, back after his ankle injury, took up his usual role in the Blues midfield.

Centre-half Smith was making his first Town appearance since the 3-1 defeat at Cardiff on October 31st having recovered from the calf injury he suffered while on international duty with New Zealand.

Luke Hyam was included on the bench for the first time this season following the knee operation he underwent in September. Hyam’s most recent appearance for Town was at Derby on the final day of the 2015/16 campaign. David McGoldrick was again among the subs.

Adam McDonnell, who has been on the bench in recent matches, missed out as he was unwell.

For Fulham, Ollie Norwood and Kamara started with Tomas Kalas and Kevin McDonald dropping to the bench.

In the opening minute Celina, who initially appeared to be in a central role behind strike pair Garner and Martyn Waghorn before moving to the left of a 4-4-2 system, sent in a Blues freekick from the left which the home defence headed clear.

In windy and rainy conditions, the Cottagers created their first opening a minute later, Ryan Fredericks cutting a low ball across the area from the right but just too far in front of Kamara, scorer of both the West Londoners’ goals in their 2-2 draw at Hull City on Saturday. On six, Stefan Johansen shot just over from 25 yards.

Jordan Spence diverted a dangerous Floyd Ayité cross from the right over in the eighth minute with the Whites started to dominate as they did in their 2-0 defeat of the Blues at Portman Road in August.

Bialkowski was forced into his first save of the game in the 12th minute, palming away a Kamara shot from the right of the area. A minute later the Frenchman hit an effort over.

Fulham continued to dominate, although Town pressure led to the home side surrendering possession on the right on 17 but Waghorn was crowded out as he cut into the box.

Three minutes later, Johansen shot wide from not too far outside the area but referee Keith Stroud awarded a corner.

The Fulham pressure continued with Sheyi Ojo hitting a low shot wide from the edge of the box, then Norwood hit a 25-yard freekick over.

With the rain continuing to fall heavily and the swirling wind making high balls and long passes difficult to deal with, Town pressured the Whites into a 28th minute mistake which might have yielded a goal.

Norwood was forced to make a risky pass across his area which Celina read ahead of Denis Odoi but the Kosovan international was unable to get the ball under control in the sodden conditions.

Having withstood the spell under the cosh the Blues started to see more of the ball and just after the half hour Waghorn struck a shot on the turn well over from distance.

Moments later, the former Rangers man was fed in on the left of the box but Tim Ream saw the ball through to his keeper. On 34 Ayité was replaced by Neeskens Kebano.

As the half moved into its final 10 minutes Fulham turned the screw once again and the Cottagers should have scored on 39 when sub Kebano cut the ball back from the left without the outside of his right boot but Kamara was unable to add the final touch at the far post.

A minute before the break the Blues were forced into a change when Ward, who had undergone treatment a couple of times during the half, was replaced by Freddie Sears as Town prepared to take a freekick.

And from the set piece, the Blues took the lead. Waghorn’s earlier freekicks had all been hampered by the wind, but on this occasion Town’s 10-goal top scorer whipped it in from the right and Garner headed his eighth goal of the season into the net.

Whites keeper Marcus Bettinelli had arrived late and collided with the Town scorer as he nodded home but after treatment was able to continue.

Fulham went looking for an injury time equaliser, Kebano hitting a low shot from outside the box to Bialkowski’s right but the Blues keeper saved confidently and they were unable to threaten again before the break and Town went in a goal in front.

Having repelled everything the dominant home side threw at them, occasionally riding their luck, the Blues once again profited from a brilliant Waghorn set piece and Garner header.

Town needed a repeat of that steadfast defensive performance in the second half if they were to open 2018 with a victory.

With the wind and rain having largely subsided, Ojo turned the first shot of the second period well over three minutes after the restart.

Connolly was shown the game’s first yellow card a minute later after a foul on home skipper Tom Cairney 25 yards out to the right. Johansen’s freekick was hit straight into the wall, then Norwood shot wide.

In the 54th minute the Blues were reduced to 10 men when Spence was shown Town’s first red card of the season.

Kamara had shoved Sears over as the pair had battled for a ball which the Whites striker then passed backwards. The Blues right-back then needlessly clattered into the Fulham man, who was sent flying, although appeared to make as much of the incident as he could.

Referee Stroud, who had failed to issue Sheffield Wednesday’s Glenn Loovens with a card of either colour for his horror challenge on David McGoldrick last month, took the advice of his linesman before dismissing Spence, who was clearly incensed by the Fulham player’s reaction and the decision as he left the field. There was, however, no need for his reaction.

Town quickly swapped Celina for Dominic Iorfa, who went to right-back with Waghorn moving into midfield.

Ream was booked for a foul on Garner, then Kebano was fortunate not to join him for a very late challenge on Connolly inside the Town area.

The Blues had managed to withstand an initial spell of pressure immediately after the sending off, but after a brief lull - in part due to several silly Fulham fouls - the home side began to threaten again.

Lucas Piazon replaced Ojo on 65 then was immediately booked for a dive inside the Town box.

But the home fans, who claimed they had been denied a penalty in that incident, didn’t have to wait too much longer for an equaliser.

In the 67th minute Kamara crossed from the left to Kebano, who miscued across goal and Sessegnon nodded home.

Three minutes later it was 2-1. Kebano cut across for Norwood, his shot was blocked but fell to Kamara, who turned in from close range.

And a further two minutes later it was 3-1 to the home side. Johansen worked his way to the byline with clever skills on the right of the area and cut across the six-yard box to Sessegnon, who tapped in his second of the evening at the far post.

And the Fulham goal deluge wasn’t over. On 76 Kamara hit a shot from the edge of the box and a deflection wrong-footed Bialkowski.

The Blues had held out for 15 minutes after the red card but then conceded four goals in seven minutes.

The by now buoyant home crowd were calling for a fifth and on 79 Cairney struck a low shot which Bialkowski saved down to his left.

Hyam made his return to action for Connolly, who had undergone treatment for the second time before making way, in the 82nd minute, 19 months after his last first-team appearance.

Knudsen shot wide right-footed when he should have crossed in the 85th minute, then Bialkowski was off his line sharply to block from Kamara after Johansen had played him in. On 88 Sessegnon was replaced by Rafa Soares to a standing ovation.

Late on, Garner was booked for a foul, then Kamara shot wide for the home side. Deep in injury time Waghorn and Kebano were both booked, the former for a foul and the latter for aiming a hand towards the Town striker’s neck in retaliation.

Just before the whistle, skipper Chambers frustratedly slammed the ball and was shown a yellow card, summing up the evening as a whole for Town.

Having got their lead the Blues needed to continue their solid defensive performance after the break.

That they had managed to do until Spence’s needless and uncharacteristic hot-headed reaction to Kamara’s challenge on Sears.

The Blues held out for a quarter of an hour but once the first goal had gone in the floodgates opened with Fulham carving Town apart all too regularly.

A defeat in 2018’s opening game sees the Blues drop to 12th, seven points off the play-offs with a break from Championship action for the FA Cup third round tie against Sheffield United at Portman Road on Saturday.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Sessegnon (Soares 88), Odoi, Johansen, Cairney (c), Ayité (Kebano 34), Ream, Norwood, Ojo (Piazon 65), Kamara. Unused: Button, McDonald, Fonte, Kalas.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), T Smith, Knudsen, Skuse, Connolly (Hyam 82), Celina (Iorfa 57), Waghorn, Ward (Sears 44), Garner. Unused: M Crowe, McGoldrick, Bru, Kenlock. Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

Photo: Action Images

toxtethblue added 00:13 - Jan 3 16 years in the bloody championship!! 10 with him as owner. We've got 22 year old supporters who can't remember anything but the bloody championship!! This is mediocre ITFC history being created right here and now folks. Stagnation ad nauseum. Make the change happen. Rise like lions from slumber!!
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Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:01 - Jan 3 Realize there was a dismissal, but the team shouldn't have collapsed like a house of cards and provided the opposition such a comprehensive victory. Don't see the point in giving further opinion, no offense to fans involved, it's only all and any words appear futile and no actions will be forthcoming to remove necessary people from the club name. Seems sometimes Marcus Evans was handed some bizarre objective back in 2007 when taking "control" of the club, to render the team ineffective and constantly failing to meet expected criteria. You only need look at the list of managerial names to present day to add strength to it, not to mention the ten years involved we've made little to no impact. 40 years or not, have given up with any idea of cup progress next week. Lincoln City showed a year back that with enough belief and desire it can take you a long way and achievements of recognition are there to be had. Got to be envious, feel sorry in a sense for those not of an age to have seen the team in a proper FA Cup run, least of all actually to have won it outright. Sad times at the club, but in all truth, nothing new.

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KiwiBlue2 added 05:10 - Jan 3 Yes 20th anniversary of life in the Championship is closing in quickly. Cannot understand deliberate strategy of conceding possession. Having played rugby and rugby league I recall getting m tired much quicker from endless tackling and covering than when we had possession. Also of course we couldn't score points without the ball. How is football different? I think that when at full strength we have sufficient ability to compete with and beat many of our rivals. I now support getting in a manager who is more positively inclined to attack but suspect that ME will keep MM longer because of his skill in the financial area of the game. To get MM out will require either demonstrations at matches or attendances dropping substantially more meaning less revenue. Need to target ME''s pocket. Very sad situation for a club that once epitomized many of the best traditions of English football

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Swn98 added 07:18 - Jan 3 Ok Diss boy. The first half we battled well against a better team they didnt get one of their many chances passed us went a goal in front.The whole game was pivotal on the referee blatantly not blowing for a foul on sears. Spence then has his mad moment should know better and we were odds on to lose. Add the injury to Ward and it wasn't a good at the office. At least I was thereally Diss boy so I can say it aseems I saw it.

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GiveusaWave added 07:21 - Jan 3 It's not so much conceding possession KiwiBlue as the strategy to "contain". Very negative tactic and MM obviously hopes that at some point in the game we might convert the odd free kick or corner. Awful to watch, and can fully understand why many refuse to pay to watch it.
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dirtydingusmagee added 07:24 - Jan 3 remember we were ,up there and we had that game in hand, and us ''moaners'' should shut up or support another club ! HAPPY CLAPPERS , sticking it it in , Well well well that didn't last long , surprise surprise, .If things don't change the old game in hand chestnut will be doing the rounds again to save us from the drop.LETS HOPE WE HAVE ONE , bloody joke. Swn98, Gcon we wont progress while your bedside photo of our manager is McCarthy.

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blue75 added 07:43 - Jan 3 Swn98 have you watched Garner and Waghorn play the challenge on Sears was no different to what they do!! You can't cheer them for doing it then cry foul when someone out muscles our player!! Yes some refs would give the challenge as a foul but players should play to the whistle and not make stupid mistakes like Spence did.
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joolsg100 added 08:20 - Jan 3 well on a positive note.... nice to see Luke back... hope he can stay fit.... no doubt I will get criticised for a positive comment !!
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Swn98 added 08:22 - Jan 3 I think I clearly stated Spence should never of done what he did his decision was pivotal in whether we got anything from the game. Keep banging on dirty ĺ when mm is gone and his successor is not your messiah we have plenty of ammo to aim at you.
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Surco72 added 08:24 - Jan 3 Unfortunately this is now the world we live in - no responsibility its always someone elses fault . Totally outplayed for whole game snatched a goal with only effort on target and then blame referee for not being able to defend properly and getting stuffed . Does anyone seriously think if we had been one down and they had a player sent off we would have won 4-1 ? You cannot match other teams if you cannot keep the ball ,our style leads to injuries , frustration and another non season looms as MM sides are always worse after Christmas so enjoy everyone

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bobble added 08:32 - Jan 3 25pts off the top in early January...with 14 first team players available...
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blue75 added 08:41 - Jan 3 Swn98 a new manager will be given a chance its the Ipswich way McCarthy has been this negative for over 5 years it's only in the last 2-3 years that people have had enough. How long do you give a leopard to change his spots?
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blueherts added 08:42 - Jan 3 Until we sort out our defence we will NEVER progress . Midfield is a problem area - yes at the moment ,but honestly we are so poor at the back - and If Bart goes , Arrrrrghhhhh
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Northstandveteran added 09:07 - Jan 3 Well.....that was an inspirational Christmas, I'm absolutely buzzing and can't wait to get back to Portman road to waste sixty quid on freezing my b###rocks off and being bored sensless
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liam88 added 09:09 - Jan 3 Seems like every player lost their heads as the capitulation suggests.... Also I do not like the term by many as happy clappers. That's a form of bullying imo.
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Northstandveteran added 09:19 - Jan 3 Well said Liam. No excuse for any abuse. No matter how much the current regime has divided fans opinions
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liam88 added 09:20 - Jan 3 It is vanmunt picking on a minority...
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Swn98 added 09:26 - Jan 3 We shall see blue75 with anticipation.
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blueherts added 09:40 - Jan 3 Mick and Terry are now in their comfy slippers and pipe and in cruise mode . Like Life , the game has moved on and little old us have been stalling in the inside lane for the last 15 years whilst others have gone up , gone down and then gone up again . We have just plodded We have no direction off the pitch , no direction on the pitch and for me the only saviour will be our Academy , Klug ,Nash et al - They are set up the right way , and showing great promise Young forward thinking teams need new ideas and positive management . I think MM and TC are not the future direction .

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dirtydingusmagee added 10:09 - Jan 3 form table bottom three, and no game in hand .
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budgieplucker added 10:10 - Jan 3 It's difficult as a fan not to be passionate when making comments. Trying to stand back from the disappointment of last night, we all if honest know that at best we are a mid-table side. We have some great youngsters on the fringe. Outside of the first team the football is taught and played in the right way. Playing all youngsters will not win games in this very very tough league. The injury crises cannot all be down to bad luck, we have picked up decent players like Huws and Adeymi but closer inspection shows their robustness to avoid niggling injuries is questionable. In some respects this gives our own local talent a chance to fill-in. If Mick sacrificies the FA Cup again through delusions of chasing a top six finish then I will be enormously angry. Let's give the FA Cup a good bash with the best players we have available with prospect of getting through a round or two and a big home draw. We need some excitement and entertainment value, a run would do confidence a power of good and may just help a late challenge on the top six. Set out our stall for the rest of the season, a comfortable mid table finish without looking over our shoulders and an exciting cup run. Then over to ME in the summer to make the necessary management adjustments

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Spanishblueblood added 10:14 - Jan 3 Time for MM to go and take Chambers, Spence, Smith, Knudsen, Skuse, Ward, Sears and (contraversially) Didz with you! Bring in a younger, more forward thinking manager and build the team around Webster, Emanuel, Wolfy, Dozzel, Downes, Morris and Folami. Mick out, progress in!
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Northstandveteran added 10:21 - Jan 3 Mick saved us from certain relegation when he took over. No doubt about it. So can understand support for him from sections of the fan base. But surely the time has come to twist instead of stick? Awful, negative, boring football. Still trying to draw games with one of the poorest defences in the league. Attendances rock bottom and continuing to slide because of the dull uninspiring performances. Yes, a new manager might win one draw one lose one but the whole team needs serious reorganisation. Perhaps a new manager would be able to bring in new faces and blend it with some youngsters. Perhaps our academy players that have grown up together, fighting for each other, having pride in playing for their club might just go that extra mile. Get a new man in now and start planning for next season. Not anti or pro Mick but while this bile continues I and many others won't be attending. Not as a boycott but because there is nothing to make us want to go

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vanmunt added 10:26 - Jan 3 Picking on a minority, I spat my tea out. It is the ones happy with the status quo the 'be careful what you wish for' brigade that have a lot to answer for our club being in this dire position. I cannot think of another bunch of supporters who would put up with our managers attitude of 'I will go when I want'. The football is awful hoofball trash and we should have collectively banded together and got him out last year.

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Lightningboy added 10:29 - Jan 3 Ok that was poor last night and all the positivity (well some positivity) from the 1st half of the season (mainly down to our front 4) has now withered away rapidly. I will say in McCarthy's defence that when you have a squad decimated by injuries (is it 10 midfielders out now?) then you're on a hiding to nothing. Spence is lucky that we're down to the bare bones cos I don't think Mick would give him much gametime after the stupidity of that challenge last night. All we can hope for now is mid-table at best imho & just hope that our birdbrain owner doesn't offer MM a new deal in May,because he'd take it just to spite us all even further.

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