Joka: We can still still do this
FULHAM boss Slavisa Jokanovic believes his side can still secure automatic promotion despite conceding a late equaliser in the last seconds of the west London derby against Brentford.
Neal Maupay’s stoppage-time header cancelled out Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opener and leaves Fulham third in the table, one point below Cardiff City having played a game more.
The result also secured Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League, but Jokanovic insists his side will fight for the final automatic spot.
“We put everything on the pitch, we played better, we dominated the game, we must be disappointed after conceding a late goal,” he said. “We didn’t have time to react to their goal.
“We will be brave, be confident and push forward to the next step.
“Tomorrow we are going to be okay, we are going to rest and we are going to be ready for the next challenge.
“We are a different team to last season. We will learn something from the past, but I am thinking about the challenges in front of us. We will be ready for the next chance.”
Brentford boss Dean Smith felt his side could have taken all three points and ended Fulham’s unbeaten run, which now stretches to 21 games.
“It was a little bit dramatic, but it was the least we deserved,” he said. “Our firsthalf performance was outstanding.
“It was an even second half and we had to hold out a bit, but the lads don’t give up and we thoroughly deserved that goal.”
The Bees are 10th, and Smith feels the play-offs remain a possibility for his side. “We are still four points off and there are teams who have to play each other,” he added.
“We have another big derby against QPR so we will be going all out to win that game. If we do, let’s see where we are with two games to go. We’ve had to play catch-up since not winning our first eight games.”
Ollie Watkins went through on goal early on, but the assistant raised his flag as he rounded Marcus Bettinelli in the Fulham goal.
Florian Jozefzoon was then given plenty of space to cut in from the right and Bettinelli had to palm his fierce effort over the bar.
Intricate work from Mitrovic and Ryan Sessegnon opened up the Bees but the latter’s shot was diverted wide.
Brentford were next to go close, Bettinelli tipping Yoann Barbet’s goalbound header. The Frenchman connected with the resultant corner but sent his effort into the ground and over the bar.
Dennis Odoi conceded a freekick on the edge of the box and Barbet’s effort hit the wall.
Brentford piled on the pressure late in the first half, Andreas Bjelland firing a volley agonisingly over the bar.
With 20 minutes left, Fulham took the lead. From the left flank, Stefan Johansen fired the ball to Mitrovic on the edge of the box and the Serbian striker swept home first time.
Tom Cairney then came inches away from a stunning second from outside the box, before Barbet’s cross-shot forced Bettinelli to backtrack and beat the ball away.
Fulham couldn’t hold on and with virtually the last touch, substitute Neal Maupay nodded home Jozefzoon’s knock-down to break Fulham hearts.