IT’S THREE AND EASY
Aleksandar Mitrovic scores from the penalty spot (above), nets the second (right) and with the match ball (inset)
THERE is pretty much no stopping Aleksandar Mitrovic right now.
The big Serb’s hat-trick means he has now hit 18 goals in 15 games this season – and Championship defences are quaking whenever he hoves into sight.
Mind you, he had a bit of help here from hapless referee Michael Salisbury, who awarded Mitrovic a soft penalty that set him on his way at Craven Cottage with the first goal.
And Albion were left bamboozled by Salisbury – not just for the penalty, but the harsh late sending-off of Darnell Furlong.
The card-happy Salisbury then showed a red to Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo towards the end to leave both sides with 10 men in a game that was never dirty.
But none of that can take any of the glory away from Mitrovic.
His best tally in a season for Fulham was 26, when they went up in 2019-20, and he looks set to pass that with ease.
Cottagers manager Marco Silva said: “Mitro’s numbers speak for themselves.
“For him to score comes from fantastic work from the team.
“He is not just a player to score goals – he is important for us on the pitch.
“I am pleased to see the way he is scoring and working – and pleased to see him in a good mood.”
Fulham, watched by former boss and
Roy Hodgson, got the start they needed when Kyle Bartley was harshly judged to have brought down Mitrovic in the area – and the Fulham striker slammed home the penalty.
Albion had their chances, as Matt Clarke saw his effort saved, but on the stroke of half-time Robert Snodgrass was robbed by Jean Michael Seri and Mitrovic stabbed home.
Valerien Ismael’s side tried to hit back but Jake Livermore fired over from close range, and when Furlong was shown a straight red by Salisbury for his tackle on Fulham’s Harry Wilson, Albion’s day was done.
Ten minutes later Wilson dribbled to the byline and pulled the ball back – and Mitrovic was in yards of space to blast home.
That should have been it – but then Adarabioyo got his marching orders for a reckless lunge on Grady Diangana.
Ismael said: “I don’t want to talk about the penalty. I am more concerned with our mistakes.
“Individual errors cost us. The red card was the final shot – but Fulham deserved to win.”
FULHAM: Rodak 7; Odoi 7, Adarabioyo 7, Ream 7, Robinson 7; Reed 7 (Carvalho 80 6), Seri 7; Wilson 6, De Cordova-reid 7, Kebano 7 (Cairney 80 6); Mitrovic 8 (Muniz 80 6).
Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Tete, Hector, Onomah.
WEST BROM: Johnstone 6; Ajayi 6, Bartley 5, Clarke 5; Furlong 6, Livermore 5, Snodgrass 5, Townsend 6; Phillips 6 (Diangana 58 6), Hugill 5 (Robinson 58 6), Grant 6 (Molumby 73 6). Subs not used: Button, Reach, Kipre, Bryan.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
REFEREE: Michael Salisbury 5.