Thursday Fulham Stuff - 07/04/22...

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Results

Wednesday
M'borough	0-1	Fulham
Forest	2-0	Coventry
West Brom	2-0	Bournemouth

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Middlesborough 0-1 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 11th header of the season

Fulham inched ever closer to Premier League promotion with a hard-fought win over Middlesbrough in atrocious conditions at the Riverside Stadium.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 38th Championship goal of the campaign was enough to end Boro's eight-match winning streak at home and put Fulham on the cusp of a return to the top flight.

Mitrovic headed in Harry Wilson's pinpoint free-kick in the second half to give Fulham their 25th victory of the season.

Matt Crooks' half-volley deflected over for Boro before Josh Coburn headed agonisingly off target and Duncan Watmore blazed over in the final seconds as the hosts failed to find a deserved equaliser.

Fulham will be promoted if Nottingham Forest lose to Birmingham on Saturday and they then beat Coventry at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Chances in the first half were few and far between, with Mitrovic uncharacteristically wasting a gift of an opportunity when put through by some sloppy Boro defending as the Serb dragged his shot well wide.

Watmore and captain Jonny Howson had long-range efforts easily saved by Marek Rodak in the Fulham goal before the chance of the half fell to Crooks.

Marcus Tavernier's whipped cross found the midfielder in the box but his effort was diverted over by defender Tim Ream.

Bobby Decordova-Reid then wasted a glorious chance for Fulham to take the lead early in the second half, somehow turning wide at the back post from Kenny Tete's cross.

Fulham's winner was straight off the training ground, with Wilson's superb set-piece met by an unmarked Mitrovic in the box after he had sprinted in from well outside the area.

The hosts pushed for the equaliser as the rain intensified on Teesside and Coburn missed a golden opportunity to level things when his header drifted wide of the far post.

The ball fell kindly for Watmore deep into stoppage time but the 28-year-old fired over from close range as Fulham held on.

The league leaders now need just two wins from their remaining seven matches to seal an instant return to the top flight, while Boro drop out of the play-off spots to seventh.

Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Tees:

"I think we had enough chances to win a couple of times.

"We got beat and I don't like that. I don't want to say we played well and we've done this and that, I want to win the game.

"Mitrovic does what Mitrovic does, he's done it to everybody and he's done it to us, even though I think it's a really poor goal [to concede], possibly the poorest goal of the season for me so far.

"They were resolute, they dug in. But I'm not sure how much it was them defending well or us missing big chances - I'd like to think it was us missing big chances so no excuses from our point of view."

Fulham head coach Marco Silva told BBC Radio London:

"It was a tough game. Probably if you ask me if it was one point for either team [a fair result] probably yes.

"We were much more dominant in ourselves [in the] first half then fantastic reaction from them in the second half as well.

"They are a strong side, they have great quality and they can play with a lot of intensity as well.

On Mitrovic: "Amazing goal. He deserves everything that he's achieving so far this season.

"His reaction to the last season has been fantastic, the goals he scores speak for themselves and he deserves everything.

"He keeps working really hard for his team-mates and this club and that's what I want to see from him."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60923065

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Boro 0-1 Fulham

Fulham overcame their Middlesbrough challenge when they defeated the Play-Off hopefuls 1-0 in Teeside on Wednesday evening.

It was a scrappy and gritty game right from the off but Aleksandar Mitrović scored just his 38th goal of the season to ensure we took home all three points back to West London.

Marco made two changes from the side that faced QPR in the West London Derby last Saturday, with Kenny Tete and Nathaniel Chalobah named in the starting eleven in place of Neco Williams, who missed out due to personal reasons and our captain, Tom Cairney, who picked up a small injury in training this week. Josh Onomah and Antonee Robinson also returned to the bench.

Fulham had the first chance of the game, through a pass slotted in between the lines by Harry Wilson to Harrison Reed, who flashed the ball across the face of the goal but nobody was there to stick it home.

A defensive mix-up at the back from Boro saw the ball fall to Aleksandar Mitrović in the 12th minute, who was through on goal, but he dragged his shot well wide of the post and despite pleas for a corner kick, Referee James Linington pointed for a goal kick.

Just a short while later, there was a rare sight of some root one football from Marco's men, when the ball was launched towards Mitro, who headed it across to Bobby De Cordova-Reid, before flicking it onto Fabio Carvalho. He appeared to be clean through on goal, but the Anfernee Dijksteel did enough to get Fab off the ball.

Reed went down in the 23rd minute following a clash with Matt Crooks, with Boro opting to play on. Harrison eventually leapt to his feet in time to tackle his fellow midfield counterpart to help form an attack of our own through Mitro, whose headed effort forced 'keeper Joe Lumley into making a strong save.

From there, the half turned very stop and start, with physical challenges plaguing the natural flow of the game and asking different questions of us than we might be used to.

As the half drew to a close, Matt Crooks had what would be the best chance of the first half, when he excellently angled in a whipped cross from Marcus Tavernier towards goal but a deflection off the foot of tonight's captain, Tim Ream, saw his effort whistle over the crossbar at pace.

Into the second half and there was some beautiful build-up play between several of the lads on the counter-attack, finished off by Kenny Tete placing a dangerous ball across the face of goal, which was just out of reach of Bobby De Cordova-Reid who wasn't able to put the ball into the empty net, much to his dismay.

In the 62nd minute of action, Andraz Sporar rifled a shot at goal that called upon the quick reflexes of Marek Rodák to tip it around the post.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 73rd minute through none other than our goalscoring sensation, Mitro, who excellently headed the ball past Lumley from a delicious free-kick, courtesy of Wilson. The home crowd looked hopefully over at the linesman for the offside flag but it rightfully never came.

The Boro dangerman for the evening, Sporar, nearly found an equaliser just moments later when his headed effort at pace went just wide of the post.

As the game drew to a close, we looked to professionally see out the game, despite the home side's best efforts to level the score, most notably from the Josh Coburn, who glanced a header wide of the post. 

Middlesbrough: Lumley, Dijksteel, Fry, McNair, Crooks (Coburn 77'), Taylor (Bola 56'), Tavernier, Howson, Peltier (McGree 60'), Watmore, Sporar

Subs: Connolly, Bola, Coburn, Daniels, Balogun, Bamba, McGree

Fulham FC: Rodák, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Bryan (Antonee Robinson 82'), Chalobah (Onomah 64'), Reed, Wilson, Carvalho, De Cordova-Reid (Kebano 64'), Reed, Mitrovic

Subs: Gazzaniga, Hector, Antonee, Onomah, Seri, Kebano, Muniz,



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/april/06/Boro-0-1-Fulham/

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Marco's Post-Boro press conference

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Marco Silva was delighted to see his side claim a gritty win over Middlesborough and take a step closer to securing promotion at the Riverside Stadium.

"Tough match, really tough match for us, as we expected. In my opinion, from what I have analysed of Boro, the quality they have, it will be the toughest match for the rest of the season.  They are strong at home, always a fantastic atmosphere behind them to push and support them."

"The first half, we started really well," Silva continued. "In the first fifteen minutes, we are Fulham Football Club on the pitch. We are dominant, we started on the front foot. We expected a higher pressure from them in the beginning of the match, against all the teams here, they wait a bit more, and against us they respected us.

"But we are dominant, in the first ten or fifteen minutes with a different decision in attack, we could create more chances to score.

"In the second half, they were more dominant, they created more problems for us. But we are clinical, we had a fantastic goal from Mitro from a set-piece. After, we had a very good chance probably to kill the game from Bobby Reid. After that, they had two or three chances to equalise. We are clinical in the second half, my players deserve it."

The boss was effusive in praising the character of his squad in helping secure the victory in rainy conditions on Teeside.

"In terms of our togetherness, our team spirit, when I saw Mitrović running back and helping the team, Kebano, Harry, Bobby, Fabio as well, showed the togetherness in our team.

"Sometimes we have to win games playing so well, like we have so far, in other moments we have to play the ugly part of the game. They did it, it is fantastic for us."

After navigating a long run of games away from home, Marco was keen to give further credit to his team, who now look forward to returning to Craven Cottage against Coventry on Sunday.

"It is the fifth game in a row away from home. The last time we played at home was one month ago. It's been tough for us; the players have been brilliant.

"Again, tonight they did it. Now is a moment to rest and finally, we play at home on Sunday."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/april/06/Marcos-Post-Boro-press conference/

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Mitrovic's winner at Middlesbrough moves Fulham closer to promotion

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 38th Championship goal of the season took Fulham a step closer to sealing promotion back to the top flight.

Mitrovic missed an early chance when he dragged an effort wide after an error by Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry.

But the Serbian striker broke the deadlock in emphatic fashion with 16 minutes remaining.

Harry Wilson swung in a brilliantly-delivered free-kick and Mitrovic headed beyond former QPR keeper Joe Lumley and into the far corner of the net.

It means Mitrovic needs just five more to break Guy Whittinhgham's 29-year record for goals scored in a second-tier season.

Josh Coburn missed a great chance for Boro when he headed wide of the target late on, and Duncan Watmore also squandered an opportunity to equalise when he fired over in stoppage time.

The win leaves Fulham 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Fulham: Rodak, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Bryan (Robinson 82), Reed, Chalobah (Onomah 64), Wilson, Carvalho, De Cordova-Reid (Kebano 64), Mitrovic.
Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Hector, Seri, Muniz.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-middlesbrough-fc-fulham-report-542022

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Middlesbrough 0-1 Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic goal extends Fulham lead at the top to leave them requiring only two more wins to return to the Premier League

    Fulham require only two more wins to be assured of top flight promotion
    Aleksandar Mitrovic scores his 38th goal of the season to win the game
    Middlesbrough drop out of the play-offs after Nottingham Forest win at home

Fulham continued their Championship farewell tour with a 1-0 win away at play-off chasing Middlesbrough to send them 11 points clear at the top of the league.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 38th goal of the season proved the difference as the Whites further assured their record-chasing promotion ambitions while dealing a significant blow to the play-off hopes of their opponent's.

The win did not come easily to Fulham, who were made to work for it by Chris Wilder's impressive Middlesbrough side.


Aleksandar Mitrovic scored the winner that leaves Fulham only needing two more wins

Indeed, it could be said that the better of the chances throughout fell to the north Yorkshire outfit who were let down by a combination of snatched finishing and resolute last-ditch defending by Fulham.

The pattern for much of the game was set in the first half as Fulham enjoyed large periods with the ball – they had had 77 per cent of possession by the ten minute mark – with Middlesbrough happy to sit back and let them play.

Boro's policy of sitting back and hoping to nick one on the break was almost entirely undone within five minutes after Harrison Reed, who was energetic all night, found himself clear in the box wide right.


Harrison Reed and Aleksandar Mitrovic embrace after the game that saw Fulham extend lead

Tosin Adarabioyo had done well to find Reed, and were it not for the Englishman's rushed cross Mitrovic might have expected an early goal.

Fulham thereafter enjoyed the early stages, with Reed, Fabio Carvalho and the impressive Harry Wilson combining well and stretching Boro's midfield.

Matt Crooks, Jonny Howson and Marcus Tavernier found it a struggle early on to deal with so many Fulham moving parts, but Boro improved when they managed to get a foot on the ball.


Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dael Fry battle for the ball in the rain at the Riverside Stadium

Wing-backs Lee Peltier and Neil Taylor appeared the main outlets for Wilder's side, with attempted long balls up to the heads of Duncan Watmore and Andrav Sporar not sticking.

When Boro pressed Fulham opportunities did present themselves, including an opening early on after Sporar refused to allow Nathaniel Chalobah to shadow the ball out for goal kick.

First half opportunities were limited to counter attacking chances, with the resultant corner leading to Tavernier dangerously losing the ball on the edge of the Fulham box. Carvalho was unable to make the most of the Fulham break.

A snapshot from Watmore was Boro's first real attempt on goal and it came from 35-yards out, a moment that really told of the pressure that was being exerted by the Fulham press. 

So often this season Fulham have resembled the older brother who has been allowed to play with the other children at his significantly younger sibling's birthday party.

For much of the night it appeared no different here: they are simply faster, stronger and more technically adept than everyone else in the Championship this season.

The second half brought a more open affair, with both sides appearing to have come out with specific instructions from their managers to go for it a bit more.


Bobby de Cordova Reid missed Fulham's best chance of the night after Kenny Tete crossed

Mark Bola, who replaced Taylor at left-wing back for Boro 10 minutes into the half, drew the best save of the night out of Marek Rodak in the Fulham goal.

Rodak enjoyed an odd night, for much of it he was being screamed at by his teammate Mitrovic for not claiming the ball and often instead opting to punch. The rain made the lives of the two goalkeepers much more difficult in the second period. 

The best chance of the night later fell to Bobby de Cordova Reid, who amongst some bright Fulham attacking play, was quiet for much of the evening.

After some nice build up involving Cordova Reid, Kenny Tete found the ball on Boro's right.

Cordova Reid had made an impressive run but went with his right foot when his left would have been better following a sumptuous Tete ball across the six-yard box. 

For a short period Boro were able to camp in Fulham's final third, winning a succession of corners that livened up the Riverside.

Both the Boro players and their supporters had been oddly flat for much of the opening period, but both appeared to feed off each other for a short while in the second half.

Openings for Sporar and Crooks were missed with Boro failing to make their rare pressure pay.

Against this Fulham side, declared by Don Goodman on commentary as one of the greatest to ever grace the Championship, you usually go on to rue those missed opportunities.

Indeed, Fulham's star pair Mitrovic and Wilson made them pay.

On 73 minutes Crooks, who was lucky to still be on the pitch after a series of fouls, brought down Carvalho. Wilson delivered and Mitrovic gleefully met the ball with his head for his 38th goal of the season.

Boro missed chances afterwards, notably headers from Bola and Josh Coburn, who had been introduced in search of a goal. While Watmore missed a glorious chance with seconds left to equalise 

Wilder looked on, soaked by the sideways rain. He will be wondering if those chances will be rued come May. 



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10693673/Middlesbrough-0-1-Fulham-Alexsandr-Mitrovic-goal-extends-Fulham-lead-league.html

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One sloppy moment and lack of finishing touch costly as battling Middlesbrough lose to Fulham

The game at a glance as Middlesbrough lost 1-0 to Fulham at the Riverside

Middlesbrough's winning run at the Riverside in the league came to an end as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 38th goal of the season to seal a 1-0 away win for Fulham. It was a night where a tactical surprise by Chris Wilder almost paid off, but they ultimately came up short despite a solid effort. Here is the game at a glance.

The goals
73 mins: Fulham 1-0, Mitrovic - Free-kick is swung in and Mitrovic ghosts in unmarked and heads well into the far corner. It's a free-header for the Serbian to score his 38th of the season.

The tactics
There were four Boro changes to the starting line-up from the weekend with the big talking point the absence of Isaiah Jones who missed out through illness. As well as Jones, Marc Bola, Folarin Balogun and Aaron Connolly dropped to the bench with Lee Peltier, Neil Taylor, Duncan Watmore and Andraz Sporar instead starting.

From very early on it was clear that there was a bit of a tactical surprise from Wilder as he set Boro out in a more of a contain and counter mentality. Resisting the urge to stick either Anfernee Dijksteel or Paddy McNair to right wing-back for a more attacking option, he put Peltier there, with he and Taylor tasked with keeping Fabio Carvalho and Harry Wilson quiet and cutting off the supply to 37-goal hitman Aleksandar Mitrovic.

It was different but understandable. Coming in Fulham had netted a remarkable 92 goals in 38 games. But it was by no means a backs to the wall tactic from Wilder. The wing-backs were notably deeper than we're used to seeing, but nevertheless, Boro still wanted to try and play and get forward, with Matt Crooks and Marcus Tavernier working incredibly hard to get box to box.

The game-changing moment
Wilder's gamelan was working a treat as far as keeping Fulham out was concerned. Throughout they were limited to very few sights at goal and half-chances at best. Wilder will have no doubt wanted a bit of better quality in possession to test Fulham's defence more, but he'd have no doubt been relatively satisfied with the game heading into the final 20 minutes. Then all that hard work was undone in a moment. There's a question mark over whether it should have been a free-kick at all. Crooks slid in and intercepted an in-field pass aimed at Fabio Carvalho. He took some of the Fulham player too, but only as Carvalho ran onto him. The referee gave the free-kick and booked the Boro man. The resulting free-kick will no doubt frustrate the Boro boss so much though. Of all the players he wouldn't want to see ghosting in to the penalty area unmarked it was Mitrovic. His free header was too good for Joe Lumley and within a moment all of Boro hard work was undone.

The key player
It was hard to judge exactly who should have been marking Mitrovic from the free-kick. The assumption would have been Dael Fry, but he didn't appear to be the man closest to the Serbian as it was swung in. That moment apart, Boro's defence as a unit had been superb throughout. To highlight one individual was tough. Anfernee Dijksteel was once again excellent throughout. But, coming off just before the goal, Lee Peltier deserves a special mention. The 35-year-old prover ever-reliable whenever picked. He doesn't carry the same attacking threat as Isaiah Jones at right wing-back, but he was never picked in the position in this one to do that. Instead he was tasked with keeping Fabio Carvalho quiet, with Wilder praising the Fulham man as the best young player in the Championship ahead of the game. Peltier didn't give him a sniff as he was withdrawn not long after Peltier.

The positive
The goal they did concede was so frustrating and ultimately undoes what would have been a really solid home point. This was different to what we're used to seeing under Wilder but was a solid and committed performance against a side that had netted 92 goals in 38 games before this one - 30 more than second-highest scorers Bournemouth. You really can't understate just how impressive that record is. The overall commitment to play the gameplan should go down as a positive, even if sadly it was undone by that one moment. Boro had their moments too against the runaway leaders and champions-elect. This was without doubt their toughest game and they were by no means disgraced.

The negative
While the manner of the goal which costs them the game is the obvious one, Wilder will perhaps be a little disappointed by his side's use of the ball. While this was a different setup with respect to Fulham's attacking might, it was by no means a sit back and defend for your lives performance. Boro still had ambition to attack and their inability to do enough with the ball, or take the chances they did have - and there were more than enough of them - was what was ultimately the most costly thing for Boro in this one.

The verdict
A defeat for Boro but a clear appreciation at full-time from home fans at the effort shown as the full-time whistle was met with applause rather than boos despite the defeat. The loss ended Boro's eight game winning run at the Riverside in the league but Wilder's side were by no means disgraced against the runaway best side in the division. The defeat is a blow but by no means the end of the world. Strugglers Hull City visit on Saturday and it's a quick chance to get back on the winning trail and render this one just a blip, and by no means one that most won't suffer or have suffered against Marco Silva's Premier League-bound Cottagers.



https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/one-sloppy-moment-lack-finishing-23617666

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West Brom deliver big blow to Bournemouth's title hopes after two quickfire first-half goals from Alex Mowatt and Andy Carroll leave Scott Parker's Cherries side 11 points adrift of league leaders Fulham

    West Brom deliver a blow to Bournemouth's title hopes with a 2-0 victory
    The Baggies stormed into a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes at The Hawthorns
    Mowatt broke the deadlock in the ninth before Carroll netted four minutes later
    The result leaves the Cherries 11 points adrift off league leaders Fulham

Bournemouth's charge to automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship suffered a jolt with a surprise 2-0 defeat at West Brom.

Scott Parker's side never recovered from a case of the defensive jitters which gifted early goals for Alex Mowatt and Andy Carroll and ended the Cherries' five-match unbeaten run.

Despite boasting two-thirds of the possession count, Bournemouth's finishing was as woeful as their early defending and they failed to seriously trouble goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The visitors attacked first. Left-back Jordan Zemura cut inside and fired a rising drive well over the crossbar from 20 yards after exchanging passes with Jaidon Anthony down the left.

West Brom took the lead in the eighth minute - and doubled it shortly afterwards.

Mowatt sent a bobbling drive beyond goalkeeper Mark Travers from 20 yards after Bournemouth failed to deal with Darnell Furlong's deep cross.

The leaping Carroll missed the cross in the air, Conor Townsend hooked the ball across goal before Nat Phillips hacked it high into the air and the ball eventually reached Mowatt.

It was 2-0 five minutes later. A long kick from Johnstone was missed by Phillips and Carroll turned Adam Smith one way then the other before burying a low, angled shot past Travers.

Dominic Solanke missed a chance for Bournemouth when he slid the ball wide from Ryan Christie's cross.

But West Brom remained the more dangerous side and Mowatt drove wide from 25 yards before Semi Ajayi headed over from Mowatt's driven corner.

The Cherries were booed off at the break after struggling to make any kind of breakthrough.

Bournemouth head coach Parker made a switch at half-time by replacing Christie with Siriki Dembele.

But the pattern initially continued into the second half as Albion sought a third goal.

Grady Diangana slid Carroll through and the former Newcastle and Liverpool striker poked the ball wide.

Bournemouth missed two good chances in quick succession.

Smith fired wildly over the bar after Solanke's backheel gave him a good sight of goal, then Philip Billing lashed over from the edge of the box after Ajayi carelessly gave the ball to Dembele.

Bournemouth came into the game much more but their finishing continued to be poor.

Lloyd Kelly and Solanke drove hopelessly wide from distance while sandwiched in between, Zemura toe poked over the bar from point-blank range.

Albion had been forced to defend for long periods of the second half but captain Jake Livermore fired over from 20 yards, substitute Callum Robinson twice had shots saved and Townsend drove wide at the death.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10693297/West-Brom-dent-Bournemouths-title-hopes-impressive-win-Hawthorns.html

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Fulham on the precipice of Premier League promotion after Mitrovic's headed finish sinks Boro

Middlesbrough 0-1 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic's superb textbook header gifted Fulham all three points in a 1-0 win against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Fulham had their work cut out before scoring the crucial winner and simultaneously derail Boro's own promotion hopes.

And the Cottagers are on the precipice of a stunning third consecutive promotion to the Premier League in less than four years, under three different managers.

But should they expectedly get the job done it will be their first straight promotion since Jean Tigana led the West Londoners to the promised land as champions in 2000/2001.

Marco Silva's men need to rack up a few more points to mathematically secure a swift return to England's top-flight but tonight was as big a three points and victory as they come.

Not only did they extend their lead to second-placed Bournemouth to a staggering 11 points, but by denying Boro the three points, they also preserved their 17-point advantage over third place, which Chris Wilder's high-flying side could have moved up to had they won tonight and their next game in hand.

The fact that it was the Serbia international to break Boro's resistance was indicative of the 38-goal talisman's six-star campaign in the Championship.

When Fulham needed a moment of inspiration the ex-Newcastle striker delivered them just that in most games.

A bit of luck is needed too, with Middlesbrough squandering two gilt-edged chances to nick a point late on.

And it must be said that on the balance of play a draw would have been a fairer result.

Less than a minute into the game, Harrison Reed played a good ball across the face of goal but none of his teammates made the run with him.

Mitrovic then missed back-to-back chances to get Fulham off the mark.

He first fired his effort across the face from outside the box despite having time and space to advance before shooting or bringing someone else into play.

And minutes later the league's topscorer's header was effortlessly collected by ex-QPR goalkeeper Joe Lumley at the near post.

There was tension and apprehension in the air among the home supporters tonight at The Riverside as their team would have been fourth with a win and set a huge statement of intent in their play-off aspirations.

But Fulham are a different beast to Birmingham City and Peterborough, their latest victims in the league.

Fulham may not have created mayhem but were in the ascendant and asked most questions.

But despite that, the hosts came closest to taking the lead, had it not been for American skipper Tim Ream crucially blocking Matt Crooks' net-bound effort on 40 minutes.


Five minutes inside the second half, Bobby Decordova- Reid was unable to bundle home Kenny Tete's square pass in the crowded six-yard area.

Czech shot stopper marek Rodak then went down low to palm away Andraz Sporar's thunderous effort in the 62nd minute.   

Mitrovic then what he does best, hammering a header into roof of the net from Harry Wilson's free-kick as the Boro defence was caught napping.

Before failing to score a single goal despite a late flurry of chances.

Sporar headed wide Marc Bola's cross before Josh Coburn saw his glancing header flash just wide of the post on 87 minutes.

And Fulham rode their luck again when Duncan Watmore skied his effort in the fourth minute of added time.

Silva, his players and the supporters breathed a huge sigh of relief and should the Cottagers get the job done in the coming weeks they will look back at tonight's scrappy win as one of the season's defining moments.

Middlesbrough

1 Joe Lumley – Anfernee Dijksteel- 3 Neil Taylor- 6 Dael Fry- 7 Marcus Tavernier- 11 Andraz Sporar- 14 Lee Peltier- 16 Jonny Howson- 17 Paddy McNair- 18 Duncan Watmore- 25 Matt Crooks

Fulham FC

1 Marek Rodak- 2 Kenny Tete- 16 Tosin – 13 Tim Ream- 23 Joe Bryan- 6 Harrison Reed- 12 Nathaniel Chalobah- 8 Harry Wilson- 9 Fabio Carvalho- 4 Bobby De Cordova-Reid- 9 Aleksandar Mitrovic



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/fulham-on-the-precipice-of-premier-league-promotion-after-mitrovic-s-headed-finish-sinks-boro

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Mitrovic's remarkable season continues as Fulham close in on Premier League return
The Serbia international now has 38 goals for the season.

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC'S 38th goal of the season moved leaders Fulham 17 points clear of the Sky Bet Championship's play-off zone as they claimed a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough.

The Cottagers, on course for an immediate return to the Premier League, secured yet another victory, with Marco Silva's men now 11 points clear of second-placed Bournemouth.

The Serbian's header with 17 minutes remaining proved enough to knock Boro out of the top six.

Middlesbrough, who announced during the half-time break that the "people of Teesside" had donated £225,000 to help those in need in Ukraine courtesy of the club's share of the gate receipts for the recent FA Cup tie against Chelsea, sit two points shy of Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest above them.

With Boro looking for a Riverside record ninth straight home win to climb up to fifth, it was a blow that highly-rated winger Isaiah Jones was missing.

It was always going to be a tough challenge for the home side to achieve that target against a team charging towards the top flight, but that did not stop them from looking to create.

Even though Middlesbrough had plenty of the ball in the early exchanges, Fulham's quality in possession and ability to use the width of the pitch gave Chris Wilder's men plenty to think about from the off.

Had it not been for a tame finish from Mitrovic following a Jonny Howson error, or some fine defending by Anfernee Dijksteel to thwart Fabio Carvalho, the leaders might have been ahead.

And with 23 minutes on the clock Mitrovic had the first clear-cut chance after Fulham turned defence into attack, with a hint of controversy too.

When Matt Crooks dived in to Harrison Reed in the Fulham half, the latter rolled around in agony while visiting boss Silva questioned why there was no foul and Middlesbrough played on.

After the Boro attack broke down, Reed hopped to his feet and ended up crossing into the area for Mitrovic to head low and goalkeeper Joe Lumley gathered.

Middlesbrough responded and a quick counter-attack ended with Howson curling from distance into the arms of goalkeeper Marek Rodak.

Shortly afterwards, Crooks' first-time effort from Marcus Tavernier's cross looked like testing Rodak but Tim Ream's boot managed to direct the ball over the crossbar for a corner.

After the break, Fulham were quickest out of the blocks and Bobby Decordova-Reid came within inches of opening the scoring when his outstretched boot turned Kenny Tete's low delivery wide of the far post.

But as the rain poured down at the Riverside, the noise levels lifted when Andraz Sporar forced Rodak into a fine stop down to his right on the hour.

Then in the 73rd minute, the prolific Mitrovic headed Fulham in front with a fine glancing header from Harry Wilson's free-kick after Crooks had conceded a free-kick.

There was still time for substitute Josh Coburn to head inches wide from Marc Bola's cross and Duncan Watmore to fire over from close range for Middlesbrough during a frantic finale.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth's charge to automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship suffered a jolt with a surprise 2-0 defeat at West Brom.

Scott Parker's side never recovered from a case of the defensive jitters which gifted early goals for Alex Mowatt and Andy Carroll and ended the Cherries' five-match unbeaten run.

Finally, Nottingham Forest battled to a fourth consecutive Sky Bet Championship win and climbed into the play-off places with a 2-0 victory over Coventry at the City Ground.

Steve Cooper's side had to work hard for their win but Brennan Johnson's 15th goal of the season and a well-taken strike from James Garner, either side of half-time, put them on course for a precious three points.



https://www.the42.ie/mitrovics-remarkable-season-continues-as-fulham-close-in-on-premier-league-return-5732249-Apr2022/

[WhiteJC]

Mitrovic unlocks Middlesbrough's fortress

A powerful Aleskandar Mitrovic header from a wonderfully worked free-kick ensured Fulham inflicted Middlesbrough's first home league defeat since November 23rd and moved to within two wins of a return to the top flight. The Serbian striker's 38th goal of an incredible season settled a tight encounter on a miserable night at the Riverside Stadium, although Chris Wilder's side spurned several glorious chances to extend their unbeaten home run.

The decisive goal came seventeen minutes from time after Fabio Carvalho's promising run towards the penalty area was cynically halted by Riley McGree. Marco Silva and his coaching staff have deployed several successful set piece variations this term – and Fulham executed another Motspur Park move flawlessly on the big stage here. Harrison Reed's decoy run fooled the Boro rearguard and Harry Wilson's delicious delivery allowed Mitrovic to run through an avenue of red shirts to head clinically past Joe Lumley. He might not catch Middlesbrough legend George Camsell, but the Fulham number nine has Guy Whittingham's post-war second tier record of 42 goals firmly in his sights.

Given the drizzle and a swirling wind that whistled round the Riverside, this was a night for steel rather than style. The most miserly defence in the division stood firm, despite some shaky handling from Marek Rodak, even if they breathed a style of relief that Boro's forwards forgot their shooting boots. Andraz Sporar, earlier denied by a smart bit of keeping from Rodak, flashed a header wide of goal from close range before substitute Josh Coburn glanced Marc Bola's cross fractionally wide as well. Even deep into stoppage time, the opportunities still came for the home side with Duncan Watmore lashed over from close range after a cross had bounced back invitingly for him off Reed.

Fulham, who were without Neco Williams and Tom Cairney from the weekend win at Queens Park Rangers, began the sharper of the two sides. Reed rattled a dangerous cross right through the six yard box after being released along the right flank by Wilson before Mitrovic failed to capitalise on a dreadful defensive mistake from Dael Fry by dragging a shot desperately off target. Anferee Dijksteel then bailed out his defensive colleagues by hooking a clearance away from Carvalho just in the nick of time – before Reed took centre stage.

The special one-haired dynamo became the Riverside's pantomime villain after staying down having been caught late by a reckless challenge from Matt Crooks. Reed got to his feet when the visitors regained possession and run deep into home territory, supplying a deep cross for Mitrovic, whose header was field on his line by Lumley. Fulham had dominated the ball for much of the first half hour, but Wilder's men finished the half strongly.

Jonny Howson drove a shot straight into Rodak's gloves from range and Fulham's defence largely dealt with the home threat. Tosin Adarabioyo remained as composed in possession as ever with his stature perfect to nullify any more direct football whilst stand-in skipper Ream came up with a vital block to prevent Crooks equalising from close range after a delicious delivery from Marcus Tavernier.

Boro upped the ante after the interval, being far more assertive both in the ferocity of their press and when they had the ball. Mitrovic made a magnificent sliding block on the edge of his own area as the hosts threatened from a free kick, before Silva's side almost scored a sensational counter-attacking goal. They were some sublime touches from Chalobah, Mitrovic and Carvalho as the ball reached Kenny Tete in an advanced position on the right flank. Bobby Decordova-Reid slid in to connect with the Dutchman's low ball across, but in keeping with the Jamaican's luck in front of goal of late he failed to find the net.

Rodak then made a sharp save at his near post after Sporar's low shot from just outside the box had skidded off the sodden turf uncomfortably for the Slovenian goalkeeper. The importance of that stop was underlined when the Whites went in front with Wilson's fourteenth assist of the season as Mitrovic displayed the sort of finishing ability that sages such as Parker had doubted last year. Bournemouth's defeat at the Hawthorns opens up an eleven point gap at the top of the table, which leaves the door to English football's elite tantalising ajar.

MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2): Lumley; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Peltier (McGree 60), Taylor (Bola 56), Crooks (Coburn 77), Tavernier, Howson; Watmore, Sporar. Subs (not used): Daniels, Bamba, Balogun, Connolly.

BOOKED: Crooks, McGree, McNair.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete, Bryan (A. Robinson 82), Adarabioyo, Ream; Chalobah (Onomah 64), Reed; Wilson, Decordova-Reid (Kebano 64), Carvalho; Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Hector, Seri, Muniz.

BOOKED: Carvalho, Reed.

GOAL: Mitrovic (73).

REFEREE: James Linington (Newport).

ATTENDANCE: 21,995.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/04/mitrovic-unlocks-middlesbroughs-fortress/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham beat Boro, close in on EPL return

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 38th league goal of the season has clinched Fulham a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough and lifted them 11 points clear at the top of the Championship.

Serbia striker Mitrovic headed home Harry Wilson's free kick to break the deadlock in the 74th minute at Riverside Stadium on Wednesday night as the Cottagers took advantage of their nearest automatic promotion rivals Bournemouth's defeat.

It was Fulham's 13th league win on the road this season in their fifth successive away game, while goal machine Mitrovic struck his 41st goal in 45 appearances in all competitions.

"I am pleased for Mitro, not just because he scored so many goals but the way he is working. I'm sure he will score more because we keep creating chances for him. He is playing well and we will score goals," Fulham manager Marco Silva said.

"The feeling, the environment inside the dressing room, is really good but we know we want to celebrate more in the weeks ahead. This is a massive step towards what we want."

Boro, chasing a third straight league win, saw their playoff hopes dealt a blow as they dropped out of the top six, two points behind Sheffield United albeit with a game in hand.

Second-placed Bournemouth slipped to their first defeat in six league games, losing 2-0 at West Bromwich Albion.

Early goals from Alex Mowatt and Andy Carroll in the space of four minutes put West Brom in control at the interval and although Bournemouth piled on the pressure in the second half, they created few clear-cut chances.

Nottingham Forest climbed back into the playoff places as they beat Coventry 2-0 at the City Ground.

Brennan Johnson's 14th league goal of the season gave Forest a halftime lead and James Garner added a second in the 61st minute.

"It was an important win, with some really good bits - and some things we need to address. A clean sheet, two goals ... there were loads of positives. But I am always going to want more," Forest manager Steve Cooper said.

Forest extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches and moved up to fifth, with two games in hand on the three other sides who occupy the playoff places.



https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/fulham-beat-boro-close-in-on-epl-return-c-6361709

[WhiteJC]

Silva salutes gritty away win

Marco Silva was delighted to come away from the Riverside Stadium with all three points tonight as Fulham ended Middlesbrough's four and a half month unbeaten run.

Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic headed in the decisive goal – his 38th of the season – but the league leaders had to weather a serious Middlesbrough onslaught in the final fifteen minutes to emerge victorious. The Fulham head coach told his post-match press conference:

"[It was a] tough match, really tough match for us, as we expected. In my opinion, from what I have analysed of Boro, the quality they have, it will be the toughest match for the rest of the season. They are strong at home, always a fantastic atmosphere behind them to push and support them.

The first half, we started really well. In the first fifteen minutes, we are Fulham Football Club on the pitch. We are dominant, we started on the front foot. We expected a higher pressure from them in the beginning of the match, against all the teams here, they wait a bit more, and against us they respected us. But we are dominant, in the first ten or fifteen minutes with a different decision in attack, we could create more chances to score.

In the second half, they were more dominant, they created more problems for us. But we are clinical, we had a fantastic goal from Mitro from a set-piece. After, we had a very good chance probably to kill the game from Bobby Reid. After that, they had two or three chances to equalise. We are clinical in the second half, my players deserve it."

Silva saluted Fulham's desire to secure a precious three points in the second half.

In terms of our togetherness, our team spirit, when I saw Mitrovic running back and helping the team, Kebano, Harry, Bobby, Fabio as well, showed the togetherness in our team. Sometimes we have to win games playing so well, like we have so far, in other moments we have to play the ugly part of the game. They did it, it is fantastic for us."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/04/silva-salutes-gritty-away-win/

[WhiteJC]

 

GOALLLL!

That's 38 goals for Aleksandar Mitrovic this season 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/BRVutLme31

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 6, 2022

[WhiteJC]

ANOTHER 3 POINTS! Now 5 hours home🖤🤍 #FFC pic.twitter.com/sfx7ltF2NX

— NatalieGeorgina♡ (@NatalieVampette) April 6, 2022

[ianthailand]

Does Chalobah whip the legs away from one of the Boro defenders?

[Jim©]

So often this season Fulham have resembled the older brother who has been allowed to play with the other children at his significantly younger sibling's birthday party.

For much of the night it appeared no different here: they are simply faster, stronger and more technically adept than everyone else in the Championship this season.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10693673/Middlesbrough-0-1-Fulham-Alexsandr-Mitrovic-goal-extends-Fulham-lead-league.html

What a brilliant quote that is, despite it being in the Daily Mail.

[Fulham1959]

Mitrovic unlocks Middlesbrough's fortress


The special one-haired dynamo became the Riverside's pantomime villain after staying down having been caught late by a reckless challenge from Matt Crooks. Reed got to his feet when the visitors regained possession and run deep into home territory, supplying a deep cross for Mitrovic, whose header was field on his line by Lumley. Fulham had dominated the ball for much of the first half hour, but Wilder's men finished the half strongly.

https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/04/mitrovic-unlocks-middlesbroughs-fortress/

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