Mighty Mitro just relentless
STRIKER’S BRACE BRINGS FULHAM TO BRINK OF PREM
ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC scored twice to move Fulham to within three wins of an instant return to the Premier League.
The Serb hitman now has abn incredible 37 goals in 36 league games. His latest double came courtesy of a sublime first-half opener as he provided the finishing touch to a move in the 14th minute which carved open QPR.
Mitrovic condemned the hosts to a fifth defeat in six games with a controversial 78th-minute penalty after Lee Wallace was harshly ruled to have handled.
Fulham boss Marco Silva said: “We deserved the points. We scored a fantastic first goal. The way we moved the ball and the way Mitro finished was fantastic for us and is something we work on.
“The second came a little later. I was told it was handball but I did not see it.”
Opposite number Mark Warburton
(right) had a clear view and what he saw left him livid.
The QPR boss fumed: “I was disappointed with the decision. The linesman has not given it. How is that given? I am more than frustrated. Lee’s arm never left his side. At 1-0 that sucks the life out of the game. That was game over. Game dead.”
The league leader’s crisp passing and movement created early chances for Mitrovic and Joe Bryan.
But it was the hosts who should have opened the scoring when Moses Odubayjo’s misplaced pass fell to George Thomas in the box but he fired into the side netting.
How that contrasted with the slick passing and movement of Fulham’s opener. Harry Wilson’s short pass inside to Tom Cairney, who split open the Rangers defence and found Fabio Carvalho who cut back the ball for Mitrovic to sweep home.
Carvalho then hit the post and keeper Keiren Westwood pulled off an outstanding save to deny Bobby Cordova-Reid as Fulham pushed for a second.
In response, Rangers scrapped their way to a couple of long-range efforts, before carving out a decent chance for Thomas, who volleyed straight at Rodak.
It was the last real chance Rangers would muster.
Mitrovic twice went close from corners before he added his second from the spot. Neco Williams’ cross hit the arm of Wallace, but it did not appear to be in an unnatural position as he chased back.
All that was left to do was for Mitrovic to slot home a simple finish and celebrate another fine day at the office with the 2,800 travelling fans.
QPR: Westwood 7; Sanderson 6, Dickie 7, Barbet 6; Odubajo 7, Johansen 6 (Chair 70), Field 7, Wallace 7; Amos 7 (Dozzell 79), Thomas 7 (Austin 73); Dykes 6.
Subs not used: Mahoney, McCallum, Dunne, Hendrick.
FULHAM: Rodak 6; Williams 7, Adarabioyo 7, REAM 8, Bryan 6; Reed 7 (Seri 87), Cairney 7 (Chalobah 76); Wilson 7, Decordova-Reid 6 (Kebano 79), Carvalho 8; Mitrovic 8.
Subs not used:: Gazzaniga, Tete, Hector, Muniz. MAN OF THE MATCH: Tim Ream did not put a foot wrong all afternoon
REFEREE: Gavin Ward 6.