Leeds’ breathless trip to Newcastle in their last league outing was one of the games of the season, but similar entertainment was in desperately short supply in an attritional first half at Elland Road.
The in-form visitors must’ve been particularly displeased with their performance, as they failed to trouble home goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who replaced Lucas Perri in the league for the first time since October.
Brenden Aaronson had the best chance before the break, but after being picked out by Jayden Bogle, the American blazed high and wide from a promising position.
Parity meant that Leeds kept up their record of not trailing at half-time at home in the league this season, yet far more was expected from both sides following the restart.
Quality remained at a premium in the second period, but Daniel Farke’s men continued to be the side on the front foot.
They went close to an opener twice either side of the hour mark, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin could only direct Aaronson’s cross wide of the near post before Gabriel Gudmundsson fired high and wide on the other side.
Emile Smith Rowe then threatened a deadlock breaker against the run of play for Fulham, but after pouncing on Darlow’s poor headed clearance, he failed to hit the target from distance.
Calvert-Lewin and Pascal Struijk failed with late chances for Leeds, but it was substitute Nmecha who struck the killer blow.
Ethan Ampadu’s teasing cross from the right was met on the stretch by Nmecha, who had seen his last three league goals come in losing causes, to turn home the decisive goal here.
Fulham’s unbeaten league run therefore ends at six matches and sees them drop to 10th, while Leeds have now opened up a 10-point gap to the drop zone and are unbeaten in five on their own turf.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United)
