MATCH FACT Mitrovic machine
PARKER HAILS ‘LEADER’ AS ALEK ROCKS ROVERS
ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC provided just one moment of magic to settle this match with his 20th Championship strike of the season.
The Serbian hitman had hardly featured as Fulham came up against a resolute Rovers, whose keeper Christian Walton made five superb saves.
But 20 minutes into the second half, the Championship’s joint-leading striker grabbed his chance, set up in front of goal by a square pass to his feet by Joe Bryan.
With one double-quick move, the 25-year-old No.9 spun quickly past his marker Tosin Adarabioyo to then hit a rightfoot shot that gave keeper Walton no chance.
It did the trick for Fulham, who have now gone nine games with only one defeat, and that keeps their push for automatic promotion on track.
But though the Cottagers are battling West Brom and Leeds for the automatic places, Fulham boss Scott Parker insists on not thinking about other teams, and said: “If you take your eye off the ball, that’s the way you get a jab on the nose.”
But he heaped praise on Mitrovic, saying: “Twenty goals is a big return at this stage of the season – and for his goal out there, he rolled up his sleeves and got his reward.
“But what I’m most proud of is not only his performance on the pitch, but his leadership qualities in the dressing room, getting players up for it.”
Parker added: “These are the
BLACKBURN places you have to come and fight for a result in a game where there wasn’t much in it.
“We showed an ugly side, a committed side, a professional side and we showed our quality near the end and set our mark on it. We matched all the challenges against a good side that hadn’t lost at home since September.”
It was tough on resolute Rovers, who had worked their socks off to grip free-flowing Fulham in a valiant bid to extend their run of 10 league games at Ewood without defeat.
It was even tougher on Walton who had played a blinder, defying Fulham with a string of fine saves.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper denied Michael Hector, Bobby
FULHAM
■ Aleksandar Mitrovic and Brentford striker Ollie Watkins each netted their 20th league goals of the season yesterday to stay neck-and-neck in the Boot race
Decordova-reid, a bullet header back by team-mate Bradley Johnson and a attempt by former Rovers man Tom Cairney.
At the end he produced a goal-denying block from sub Stefan Johansen. Late on, it seemed Rovers had levelled when Darragh Lenihan’s fierce shot was ruled offside.
Rovers boss Tony Mowbray said: “Frustration is the name of the game.
“They have special individuals, and Mitrovic’s goal – well, that’s what quality strikers do.”