Fulham continue epic run
AS MUCH as a team can stroll to a victory that is also hard earned, Fulham did that here.
An afternoon of frustration had beckoned for the London club as they failed to convert their dominance into another win.
But Fulham had enough poise and self-belief to ensure that an opportunity to close to within two points of second-placed Cardiff was not wasted in the end.
The 15th victory of a 19-match unbeaten run duly arrived from the most probable of sources — Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Their deadly alliance contrived to produce Mitrovic’s ninth goal in as many games 12 minutes from time — and there was no way back for a dogged Wednesday, whose keeper Joe Wildsmith prevented a heavier loss with some fantastic saves.
With Cardiff and Aston Villa having lost, manager Slavisa Jokanovic applied more pressure post-match.
Referring to Cardiff and the chase for automatic promotion, he said: ‘We cannot catch them — they can give us something.’
There is no margin for error for Neil Warnock’s Cardiff side despite their one-game advantage, particularly after their agonising loss to Wolves on Friday evening.
‘The win was very important and a crucial moment,’ said Jokanovic.
‘We have never been second and this is some kind of bonus for us.’
A third successive clean sheet was another ominous sign and Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay conceded: ‘Fulham were better. They could have scored three or four more.’
Wednesday did well to stay in the game for so long. Finally, they were unhinged by the brilliance of Sessegnon and a prolific marksman borrowed from the Premier League.
Mitrovic, on loan from Newcastle, surged forward to blast home right in front of the posts after a surging run and cross from Sessegnon.
He had earlier forced the best of Wild smith’ s saves with a point-blank header.
‘ Fulham showed why they are fighting for the top two,’ said Luhukay. ‘They are very good.’
With Fulham unbeaten since a shock reverse at Sunderland four months ago, it is hard to envisage another defeat this season.