Fulham 1-1 Leeds: Steve Evans' first match ends in draw

A penalty from Chris Wood earned Leeds a 1-1 draw at Fulham in Steve Evans' first game in charge.

Evans was this week appointed the club's sixth manager in 18 months under their controversial owner Massimo Cellino following Uwe Rosler's sacking - but just like those who came and went before him, the former Crawley and Rotherham manager could not begin his stint at Leeds with a win.

Wood's 64th-minute spot-kick did at least end a run of three straight defeats for the visitors after they fell behind to Moussa Dembele's first-half strike.

The average reign of a manager under the now-disqualified Cellino is just shy of three-and-a-half months, but Leeds' latest era started encouragingly enough, with the outspoken Evans certainly appearing to have his new players fired up.

Former Leeds striker Ross McCormack fired wide in the opening seconds, but after that Fulham barely got a kick for the next 20 minutes.

Stuart Dallas almost gave Evans the perfect start with a fierce snap-shot from the edge of the area but Joe Lewis made a fine save, and the Fulham keeper also kept out Wood's close-range effort.

But, against the run of play, Fulham took the lead in the 23rd minute, Dembele darting between Leeds defenders Liam Cooper and Sol Bamba before firing an angled shot inside Marco Silvestri's near post.

A cheeky chorus of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' was aimed at Evans from the home fans, but back came Leeds and Lewis Cook's low drive was kept out by Lewis before a penalty appeal for handball against Fulham defender Dan Burn was waved away.

If Evans was annoyed by that decision, he was apoplectic after half-time when Tom Adeyami tumbled over Lewis in the area and referee Keith Hill again shook his head.

Fulham pressed for a killer second and Lasse Vigen Christensen forced Silvestri into a decent save at his near post.

But moments later, at the other end, referee Hill spotted a handball against Ben Pringle and this time pointed to the spot, with Wood stepping up to tuck the penalty past Lewis.

Leeds sensed a rare win but Lewis got down well to deny Mirco Antenucci before making a fine diving save to keep out a Dallas curler.

Antenucci had the chance to get the new boss off to a flyer a minute from time as he aimed for the top corner but Lewis made another fingertip stop and Evans had to settle for a point.