Bloodied Mitrovic back with a bang

HE re-appeared with a gauze wedged into a nostril, blood wiped away and a new shirt that bore no name or number. Aleksandar Mitrovic had been cracked in the nose by Joachim Andersen’s arm after three minutes at Craven Cottage. Once back on the pitch, it was business as usual — a goal in both halves for the Serb on his first start in two months after an eight-game ban.

As Fulham’s top scorer with 15 goals, Mitrovic (right) had been truly missed. Team-mate Willian said: ‘He’s an important player. We always try to find him in any situation. When he doesn’t play, we miss some aspects.’

Despite feeling Mitrovic’s absence, Fulham found a way to adapt this year. There’s a real backbone to this side, which has ensured that they will finish the season in the top half. Such a prediction would have looked foolish back in August, with many marking Fulham as relegation candidates. Instead, they are breaking records — their 54 Premier League goals this campaign surpassing their previous best of 52. If they take the same fighting spirit into next season, with Mitrovic in tow, Marco Silva’s men will be a force to be reckoned with again. FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno 6; Tete 6, Adarabioyo 6, Diop 6, Robinson 6; Reed 6, Palhinha 6.5; Wilson 7 (Decordova-Reid 80), Cairney 6.5 (Solomon 80), Willian 7; MITROVIC 8. Scorer: Mitrovic 45+5, 61. Booked: Robinson, Palhinha, Adarabioyo. Manager: Marco Silva 6.

CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1): Johnstone 6; Ward 6, Andersen 6, Guehi 6, Mitchell 5; Doucoure 6, Hughes 6.5; Olise 7, Eze 7, Ayew 6.5; Edouard 7 (Mateta 80). Scorers: Edouard 34, Ward 83. Manager: Roy Hodgson 6. Referee: Josh Smith 6. Attendance: 24,356. FINAL GAME — Fulham: Man Utd (a), Crystal Palace: Nott’m Forest (h).