Gray day in London? Just get the Mitro
ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC put a rare smile on the craggy face of Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic.
The Serbia striker swooped to salvage a precious point with a 78th-minute equaliser for his fifth Premier League goal of the season.
And that was sweet for compatriot Jokanovic – up against ex-club Watford for the first time since they bizarrely ditched him after promotion three years ago.
Fulham were lucky to be trailing by just Andre Gray’s second-minute strike (right) at half-time with Troy Deeney roughing up the Cottagers’ defence.
But cute changes from Jokanovic and the inspiration of Mitrovic – who could even have won it late on – ensured Fulham dragged something out of their 500th Premier League match.
However, they were lucky not to see a frustrated Timothy Fosu-mensah sent off in the first half for a wild tackle on Deeney.
Jokanovic said: “Aleksandar fought very well today, up against strong Watford centrebacks. We didn’t create so much for him today. But from two chances he scored one-and-a-half goals! It is good news for us, but the person he is, he will not be satisfied that we have not won the game – he is a winner.
“It’s OK to get something from my old club, but that was many years ago. I was grateful for that chance, but now I am fully focused on Fulham.
“I made two changes at halftime, if I could have made four I might have – so it wasn’t the individual players. We showed a different level after that. “We started very sloppily, let a goal in after only a minute-and-ahalf. They were faster and by half-time we were really confused. They could have scored more.
“But in the second half the team showed great attitude and character, got the equaliser and could even have got
the three points with a bit more luck.” The breakdown between Rafa Benitez and Mitrovic last year is looking worse for Newcastle and better for Fulham with every week.
The 24-year-old forward, who has scored 17 league goals since his debut on loan in February, said: “It was a tough match. In the first half, Watford were better.
“But in the second half we played a lot more and created chances – I thought the header right at the end was going in!”
Gracia, who picked the same line-up for a sixth consecutive Premier League match, said: “It is a pity. I am not disappointed with the performance, but we only got one point.
“Over the whole game, I thought we deserved a better result.”
Kevin Mcdonald and Ryan Sessegnon allowed Will Hughes to get the ball and he slipped it to Gray who finished from 12 yards after just 90 seconds.
But, on 78 minutes, Luciano Vietto’s left-wing cross was expertly flicked in by Mitrovic.
Mitrovic then almost brought the house down with a shot saved by Ben Foster and a header that hit the bar. ■ Watford became just the fifth team to start each of their first six games of a Premier League season with the same starting XI (also Leeds 92/93, Tottenham 94/95, Liverpool 96/97 and Aston Villa 08/09). ■ Fulham have lost just one of their last 19 home league games, including play-offs (W14 D4). ■ Watford are without a win on their last nine Premier League visits to London, with their draw against Fulham coming after eight consecutive defeats. ■ Watford striker Andre Gray has netted four goals in his last three league games against Fulham. ■ Since his Fulham debut in February this year, Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 17 goals in English league football, which is more than any other player.