Mitrovic ensures Fulham have fun at Burnley’s expense
Fulham are off and running, and, for Slavisa Jokanovic, the most satisfying part of this first win of the season will be that they did it their way. It was fast, it was flowing and, most of all, it was fun. It was frenetic at times, too, and they remain dangerously wobbly in defence, but not even the most miserly Fulham fan will be dwelling on the negatives here.
Four goals, including three in a thrilling first half, were the least Fulham deserved on the day they fully announced themselves to the Premier League. Two defeats in their opening two games had raised doubts over their extensive summer recruitment, when 12 players had been signed, but this was clear evidence that the new boys are beginning to settle.
There were first goals of the season for Andre Schurrle, excellent in attack, and for Jean Michael Seri, the most exciting of all those summer arrivals. Aleksandar Mitrovic struck twice, too, and Luciano Vietto was relentless up front.
In short, Fulham looked like a team, rather than a collection of individuals.
“We showed ambition to cause damage, we created many chances,” said Jokanovic, who reserved special praise for the brilliant Mitrovic. The Serbian impressed on loan here last season before moving permanently from Newcastle United in the summer. “His attitude is always fantastic, he is always available,” Jokanovic said.
“He demonstrated this in the Championship last season and some people are thinking he can only be a Championship player. No, he showed the quality for fighting in the highest level in England and in the world.”
For all Fulham’s joy, there will be just as much trepidation for Burnley, for whom the Europa League is proving unavoidably problematic. Defeat by Olympiakos in Greece on Thursday was by no means the ideal preparation for Sean Dyche’s side, who have conceded 10 goals in their past three games. The defensive solidity of last season has been eroded by the demands of European football.
“We need to see beyond the constant noise of the Europa League, and too many games and all that stuff,” Dyche said. “That does play its part in the players’ minds. The players get a barrage of different news stories and, mostly, I think it is fair to say, those have been negative about the Europa League and how many games we are playing. But it’s the reality. That is the challenge.”
Burnley’s struggles could be seen in the anguished face of Joe Hart, who struggled at times under the gaze of Gareth Southgate in the stands. The England manager had arrived here hoping to see Ryan Sessegnon, but the Fulham teenager had been dropped to the bench in favour of Vietto as Jokanovic looked to sharpen his attack.
Vietto’s impact was instant, as he set up the all-action Seri to score arguably the goal of the season so far. Receiving the ball 30 yards from goal, the £25 million midfielder dropped a shoulder to create space before sending an oldfashioned thunderbolt into the top corner.
Fulham deserved their lead, but their commitment to passing football leaves them vulnerable. Maxime Le Marchand surrendered possession on the halfway line, allowing Aaron Lennon to scamper clear and set up Jeff Hendrick, who finished with his second attempt. Undeterred by the error, Fulham continued to probe. From a corner, Tom Cairney whipped a cross into the six-yard box, where Mitrovic could hardly miss.
Hart barely had time to digest what had happened before he was beaten for the third time. Again it was Mitrovic, darting in, out and back in again before glancing Vietto’s cross into the net. “The best player on the pitch was Mitrovic,” Dyche said. “He did everything that a good centre forward should do.”
This was Fulham at their best, but they were again undone by defensive incapabilities when James Tarkowski bundled home a second goal for the visitors following a Burnley corner.
After the break, Schurrle struck the bar before Mitrovic went close with a sliding effort. A fourth came when Schurrle tucked the ball in after Mitrovic’s shot hit a post.