Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 20/04/22...

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Results

Tuesday
Fulham	3-0	Preston NE

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Fulham 3-0 Preston North End

Fulham are celebrating their third promotion to the Premier League in five years

Fulham crushed Preston to seal their Premier League return as Aleksandar Mitrovic's double took his season's tally to 40 goals.

The Serbian striker netted twice in the first half, sandwiching an eye-catching strike by teenager Fabio Carvalho.

Mitrovic was denied a hat-trick by Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen - but it made no difference to the outcome as victory confirmed promotion for Marco Silva's side.

Fulham could effectively secure the title as early as Saturday if they win at second-placed Bournemouth.

The Cottagers might have fallen behind early on, with Marek Rodak called into action to thwart Ched Evans and then tip Ben Whiteman's long-range drive over the bar.

But any hint of nerves swiftly evaporated in the ninth minute as Joe Bryan won possession and burst down the left flank to set up Mitrovic, who slid the ball through Iversen's legs.

Carvalho and Harrison Reed went close to extending the lead as the home side seized control, repeatedly slicing through Preston's defence.

It was Carvalho who did eventually grab Fulham's second in the 34th minute, rifling home on his left foot after Neeskens Kebano's cross had deflected perfectly into his path.

Mitrovic made it 3-0 just before half-time, reaching the 40-goal mark after another incisive break along the left, with Harry Wilson providing the assist.


Fulham celebrate Mitrovic's second goal, which put them 3-0 up

North End nearly reduced the deficit early in the second half as Rodak produced another fingertip save to foil Cameron Archer, palming his attempt on to the woodwork.

But there was to be no dramatic Preston comeback - nor a third goal for Mitrovic, who had two more attempts kept out by Iversen and was eventually substituted with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Although Neco Williams' effort from distance whistled just over, Fulham had to be content with the three goals - and the win that wrapped up their third promotion in five years.

Fulham seal swift Premier League return

The clinical Cottagers have shot through the Championship like a bolt of lightning and look set to smash a number of records as they win promotion back to the top tier with four games to spare.

Marco Silva's swashbuckling brand of fast transitions and quick passing has seen them score 98 goals so far.

They could still break Manchester City's Championship second-tier record, since the launch of the Premier League in 1992, of 108 goals.


Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring in the ninth minute

Silva's men also wrote themselves into the history books in January when they scored 19 goals in three games and were the first English side in 88 years to score six or more goals in three consecutive games.

Serbian striker Mitrovic's 40 goals - already another Championship record - have helped propel Fulham out of sight at the top of the table and all eyes will be on him at the start of next season to see if he can finally recreate his scintillating Championship form against the country's top defences in the Premier League.

The west London club have been something of a yo-yo club in the past few seasons, with consecutive promotions and relegations to and from the Premier League every season since their 2017-18 play-off final victory against Aston Villa.

Analysis
Emma Jones, BBC Radio London

When Marco Silva became the new Fulham manager, he knew he was taking on the job of leading the team straight back to the Premier League.

His first task was to rebuild a squad that had been heavily reliant on loans under Scott Parker in the top flight. But also to rebuild the confidence of players who will have felt they hadn't performed as they'd hoped, or hadn't been given the chance, during another relegation season.


Harrison Reed (right) gives Fabio Carvalho a hug after the teenager's goal doubled Fulham's lead against Preston

New signing Harry Wilson made an instant impact with a goal on the opening day. While a 5-1 win in Fulham's first away match at Huddersfield provided an early indication of just what the team might achieve. That big victory also included a first goal of many for Aleksandar Mitrovic and one from young star Fabio Carvalho, as he began to make headlines that are set to lead to a big move to Liverpool.

Wilson looks to have been the best of the new additions, with Silva ultimately relying on the old guard to get the results. And while there will be plenty of praise for Mitrovic, Fulham are far from a one-man team with 'Captain America' Tim Ream one of many players who has had an excellent season.

The questions though remain the same. What lessons have the club learnt from previous promotions to ensure they stay up this time?

Are the players who have got them up good enough to keep them up? And will any new additions be the right fit for the challenge ahead?

Fulham head coach Marco Silva:
"All season he (Mitrovic) has been exceptional. I have to manage his condition - you know how he can play with his energy when he is fresh.

"There was a lot of energy from the first minute. We had to get the job done tonight and we need to be proud of what we achieved.

"We delivered to the club and the fans who deserved this. I am proud of the players as this was the goal on the first day - automatic promotion.

"The season has been fantastic for the fans. Last season was really tough for all of them and we have done this for them."

Preston manager Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"Congratulations to Fulham. I thought we could have scored in the first five minutes and then maybe the game changes a little bit.

"But you can't give a team like Fulham the opportunities to score that we did - they'll punish you and we found ourselves 3-0 down.

"You only have to look at the star man who scores the goals and that is the difference - they've got that quality.

"I thought we were a lot better second half, but ultimately we were outclassed in the first half."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61075987

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Breaking: Fulham secure return to Premier League after big win

Fulham secured promotion to the Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Preston at Craven Cottage this evening.

Marco Silva's men have been outstanding this campaign, and it was two of their star men that made the difference against a North End outfit that struggled for large parts.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice, to take his goal tally to an incredible 40 in the league this season, with Fabio Carvalho getting one in between the two efforts from the Serbian.

That result took the Cottagers to 86 points, which is a figure that only Bournemouth could possibly match, although Silva will surely expect his side to wrap up the title in the coming weeks to cap off what has been a fine season.

The challenge for the Portuguese coach will be to ensure he can keep the Londoners in the top-flight, something that they have struggled to do in the past, but for now he will be enjoying the moment after his first full year at the club has gone so well.

Fulham actually take on Bournemouth this weekend, where they could effectively clinch top spot with a win.

The verdict

This is thoroughly deserved for Fulham because they have been exceptional this season, which is evident by their points total and the number of goals they've scored.

It's fitting that Carvalho and especially Mitrovic were the goalscorers this evening because even though it's a real team effort, they're the two standout individuals in the team.

So, they will enjoy tonight and then look to win the league to cap off what has been a season to remember for all connected to the club.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/breaking-fulham-secure-return-to-premier-league-after-big-win/

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Fulham 3-0 Preston: The Cottagers are BACK in the Premier League as Fabio Carvalho's strike and another Aleksandar Mitrovic brace hands them a dominant win over Ryan Lowe's men and seals promotion with four games to spare

    Fulham secured promotion back to the Premier League on Tuesday night
    Marco Silva's side cruised to a 3-0 victory over Preston at Craven Cottage
    Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a brace to hit the 40-goal mark in all competitions
    Fabio Carvalho also struck to ensure they sealed promotion with four games left
    The Cottagers are now out of reach while 16 points clear of Nottingham Forest

The familiar elation of Championship promotion for Fulham - only this time they took the easy route.

Their last two elevations to the Premier League have been accompanied by the nail-biting tension of the play-offs. This time they have dominated the division, galloping clear from mid-January.

Marco Silva's side got over the line with this rampant win over Preston. Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a double to move within two of equalling Guy Whittingham's post-1992 second-tier scoring record of 42 goals in a season.


Fulham have sealed promotion to the Premier League after cruising to a 3-0 win over Preston

Fabio Carvalho was also on target at a jubilant Craven Cottage, with the 'olés' that greeted every Fulham pass starting well before half-time.

After three promotions and two relegations in five seasons, the million dollar question now is whether Fulham can finally re-establish themselves in the big time.

A certain amount of squad strengthening will be required to shed their yo-yo reputation but it will be a shame to see them totally sacrifice the wonderfully fluent style Silva has encouraged this season.

They had already squandered one opportunity to seal promotion, losing having been a goal ahead at Derby on Friday night.


Aleksandar Mitrovic fired the Cottagers in front after nine minutes of Tuesday night's clash


Fabio Carvalho doubled their lead in the 34th minute with a superb finish over Daniel Iversen


The 19-year-old's goal left Fulham with promotion back to the top flight firmly in their sights


Mitrovic then got on the scoresheet again to all but confirm their Premier League return


The striker has now scored a staggering 40 goals in the Championship for Fulham this season

And there were some early jitters, with Marek Rodak clawing away an effort by Ched Evans that deflected awkwardly off Tosin Adarabioyo, before touching over Ben Whiteman's effort.

But any nerves around Craven Cottage were settled nine minutes in thanks, inevitably, to Mitrovic.

Joe Bryan wriggled away from two Preston players close to the touchline, drove infield and slipped a through ball into Mitrovic's path.

The angle was tight but with an assurance he has shown all season long, the Serbian tucked the ball through the legs of keeper Daniel Iversen to score.

Fulham sought to press home their early advantage. Carvalho shot wastefully wide after Mitrovic had backheeled a Neeskens Kebano pass into his path.

Harrison Reed then cleared the bar with a header from a training ground corner routine.

But two further goals before half-time cemented Fulham's absolute control of proceedings.

The first was a wonderful piece of improvisation by the Liverpool-bound playmaker Carvalho, who smartly lifted the ball over Iversen from close range after Kebano's low cross popped up off a defender.

Fulham's third was another unerring Mitrovic strike, his 40th of the campaign, after Harry Wilson had driven directly at the Preston defence to tee him up.

Iverson arguably should have done better as he was close to the ball but Mitrovic imparts such fierce power on his shots. 'The Whites are going up' echoed around the Cottage.


Marco Silva's side can wrap up the Championship title by winning at Bournemouth on Saturday


Silva has guided them back to the top tier of English football in comfortable fashion


Mitrovic has been instrumental in the Craven Cottage club storming to Championship glory


They have secured an immediate return to the big time after being relegated last season


Fulham now sit 16 points clear of Nottingham Forest, who were the only team outside the top two capable of catching them

Rodak still had to be alert early in the second-half, turning Cameron Archer's curling effort onto the crossbar.

Moments later, a slack pass by Bambo Diaby presented Mitrovic with the ideal chance to complete his hat-trick. But he had almost too much time to pick his spot and Iversen turned it onto the bar with his foot.

Iversen then denied Carvalho and Mitrovic in quick succession with Fulham hungry for more goals.

Promotion achieved, Fulham can effectively seal the title with a win at Bournemouth on Saturday. Then the hard work will really start.


Forest can no longer overtake them in the table with only five matches of their own to play


It means Silva and Co can rest assured that their target for the season is already achieved




https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10733035/Fulham-3-0-Preston-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-brace-Fabio-Carvalho-strike-seal-promotion-Cottagers.html

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Fulham seal Premier League return as Mitrovic starts party against Preston


Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after his 39th and 40th goals of the season secured promotion for Fulham. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters

Fulham are back where they belong, that netherworld between the Championship and Premier League where the club has spent the last five summers. Each one of those has seen them either promoted to or demoted from the top division.

With two goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic taking him to 40 for the season and another from Fabio Carvalho, two stars of the campaign made sure Fulham achieved their objective for the season. At full time, their fans rushed on to the field to lift their heroes high. A more orderly display followed later, once the pitch was cleared.

Marco Silva is set to manage his fourth Premier League club in just over five years and has almost as much to prove as Fulham. Having not dropped below a top-two position since the 13th match of the campaign and scored 98 goals, 33 more than anyone else, his team are more than worthy of their elevation. But as Norwich and Watford have shown this season, Championship domination represents zero guarantee of Premier League comfort.

"The gap is getting bigger, I know it," Silva admitted. "Every season you can see it. Now we have to celebrate and to prepare for next season. It's a nice word, a 'yo-yo' team, a good nickname. The challenge is huge, definitely. We have to be really positive, we have to have desire and ambition."

Having spent £100m on players for the doomed 2018-19 campaign and reported losses of £93m for a similarly fated 2020-21 season, the club's American billionaire owner Shad Khan will have to keep digging deep.

A similar set of players came down last season under Scott Parker, and Silva and Khan must augment them with greater quality, even after promotion was breezily achieved with flair and enterprising football. "They've been the best team in the division by far," said the Preston manager, Ryan Lowe.


Fulham fans on the pitch at Craven Cottage after full time. Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

After losing their last two matches to Coventry and Derby, merely edging over the line would have sufficed for Fulham but there was no such tension, even if Preston did begin with zest. It took a clawing save from Marek Rodak to deny Ched Evans after Cameron Archer and Daniel Johnson's interchange had left the Fulham goalkeeper exposed. Rodak was soon required to palm over Ben Whiteman's dig from distance.

Fulham began to make use of the space created by Preston's ambition. Mitrovic had scored against every team in the Championship this season other than Coventry and Preston. By the 10th minute, only Coventry remained. Joe Bryan surged in from the left, his angled pass finding the Serb in perfect position to stroke beyond Daniel Iversen.

Neat play between Mitrovic and the Liverpool-bound Carvalho might have resulted in a second in the 25th minute, only for the teenager to fire wide. Carvalho did not wait long, soon scoring with a flick after Neeskens Kebano's cross deflected into his path. And by the 42nd minute, the party could begin in earnest, Mitrovic firing under Iversen after Harry Wilson's pass.

Not that the party was too raucous, a third promotion in six seasons being a tad low on novelty. Admittedly, it was hard to raise the roof on an entirely empty Riverside Stand, the towering new structure being readied for next season, though the Hammersmith End sounded happy enough belting out its "stand up if you're Premier League" chants.

The second half began almost like the first, Rodak making a fine save from Archer before Mitrovic lost to Iversen in a one-on-one duel. Preston's Danish goalkeeper then made a fine double stop from Carvalho and Mitrovic. As Fulham dominated, their fans began to implore their promotion heroes to shoot from all angles and distances.

With 15 minutes left, Carvalho left the field to a standing ovation. Soon after, so did Mitrovic, no hat-trick but his tally of goals a brilliant achievement nonetheless. Emblematic of his club, Mitrovic is highly potent in the Championship and yet has usually disappointed in the higher echelon.

"Mitro has been exceptional, phenomenal," said Silva. "When Mitro can play with his energy and is fresh, he is a completely different player." The game having petered out, Fulham could then celebrate with the paying public. Now to try and last longer than a single season.

"I know what the club wanted from me," said Silva. "And it is just the beginning of a long journey I hope. We have to prepare for the big challenge ahead of us."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/apr/19/fulham-preston-championship-match-report

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Fulham 3-0 Preston: Cottagers promoted to Premier League as Aleksandar Mitrovic hits 40th Championship goal

Report and free match highlights as Fulham beat Preston 3-0 in the Sky Bet Championship clash at Craven Cottage to seal their promotion to the Premier League; Aleksandar Mitrovic's double either side of Fabio Carvalho's goal confirms promotion with four games to spare
By PA Media

Fulham secured promotion back to the Premier League in emphatic fashion as Aleksandar Mitrovic took his tally for the season to 40 with a brace in a comfortable 3-0 win over Preston.

The Cottagers could have secured their spot on Good Friday but a 2-1 defeat at Derby marked the first time they had suffered successive defeats this season.

However, they bounced back at Craven Cottage and took the lead with their first real chance of the game as Mitrovic slotted home.

Carvalho added Fulham's second and just before half-time Mitrovic made it 40 Sky Bet Championship goals when he took a touch and fired the ball past the Preston goalkeeper.

The Serbian forward had already cruised past Ivan Toney's Championship scoring record with 14 games remaining in the season and now sits just two behind Guy Whittingham's 42-goal haul for Portsmouth in 1992-93 - the most in any second-tier season during the Premier League era.

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗘! 🤍#FFC pic.twitter.com/rJ7hM6YrO8

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) April 19, 2022

The results secured promotion for Fulham with 26 wins, eight draws and just eight losses, having scored 98 goals.

Preston came close to taking the lead in the fifth minute when Cameron Archer ran down the left before playing in Ched Evans, whose shot rebounded off Tosin Adarabioyo. The home side were able to scramble the ball away.

Goalkeeper Marek Rodak had to be alert again two minutes later to tip Ben Whiteman's effort over the crossbar and keep the score level.

Fulham scored from their first real attack of the game, with Joe Bryan coming inside from the left and cleverly playing in Mitrovic behind the Preston backline for the Serbian to slot home through the legs of Daniel Iversen.

The Cottagers had a chance to add to their lead in the 24th minute when the ball came in from Neeskens Kebano to Mitrovic and he backheeled the ball to Carvalho, whose shot was wide of the target.

The home side doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark when Kebano's ball into the box took a fortunate deflection into the path of Carvalho and he fired a first-time shot into the back of the net.

Fulham added a third just before half-time, with Mitrovic scoring his 40th of the season in clinical fashion, taking a touch and firing home after being played in by Harry Wilson, who tops the Championship's assist charts.

Mitrovic came agonisingly close to his hat-trick less than five minutes into the second half when he pounced on a loose ball and ran through on goal, only for Iversen's outstretched leg to divert the ball onto the crossbar.

Iversen then denied the 27-year-old again in the 53rd minute as Fulham continued to press for a fourth goal, but they lacked the same intensity as the first half and the scoreline remained 3-0, with jubilant fans pouring onto the pitch at the final whistle with their Premier League place confirmed.

Fulham owner Tony Khan posted a message after promotion was confirmed, which read: "Thank you very much to all of you Fulham supporters!

"You all deserve this special night! Congratulations to you supporters, and congratulations and thank you to the Fulham squad and Marco Silva and the entire club staff!

"We're back in the Premier League! We're going up! Come on Fulham!

Silva: We deserved promotion
"We deserved it. We have to be proud of what we have achieved for this football club, it was the reason we came, the reason they invited us to come and join this football club, and we did it. I am proud of the players, not just because we achieved our goal or aim from the first day. The way we did it, the way we played, the way we were really dominant for most of the season has been fantastic for us, a fantastic journey for us Now is the moment for them to celebrate.

"A nice word yo-yo team, a good nickname. The challenge is huge definitely. We have to be really positive, we have to have desire and ambition. Now we celebrate and get the job done in the next four games."



https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-preston-north-end/report/447848

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Yo-yo Fulham secure another promotion as more Mitrovic goals usher in elevation

Fulham (3) 3 Mitrovic 9, 42 Carvalho 34

Preston North End (0) 0

Well of course they are back up. It's an even year isn't it after all?

The Whites may have suffered an unexpected mishap at Derby at the start of Easter after the home loss to Coventry City, but they were hardly blown off course.

Here, in front of their own fans, they made it three promotions in five years – underscored once again by a couple of Aleksander Mitrovic goals. It's become quite the routine.

Unlike the previous two occasions, a nerve-jangling play-off final will not be required. Hopefully, neither will be the instant relegation which followed hot on the heels of those Wembley play-off wins.

Next year, they need to do a Brentford and not a Fulham.

This has been a really curious season by Fulham standards. There have been some setbacks. Some duff results. Form has looked a bit patchy of late. But it has never amounted to anything resembling a potential derailment. It has been as serene and jeopardy-free campaign as they could have wished for.

There was very little tension in the air too. It was another pleasant evening stroll down the Thames. The very best trouble-free experience parachute money can buy.

And already by half time, they could contemplate getting the party started. It was already 3-0 and as good as over.

The obligatory post-match pitch invasion – mostly from the Hammersmith End – felt almost mundane. It was expected of the fans, so they did it. But in all honesty, there was more gut-wrenching excitement and passion in a semi-final play-off win against Derby a few years ago than here. 

The promotion currency is still very much sought after, but has nevertheless been a little devalued because of its abundant supply.

North End were in it for a few minutes. Ched Evans almost slid in an early goal, but Tosin got back well to block. Marek Rodak had to stretch to tip over a deflected shot from Ben Whiteman.

It was soon all irrelevant, though. On nine minutes, Joe Bryan cut in from the left, slipped a ball behind Liam Linsday and there was Mitrovic – who else – to slip the ball through the legs of keeper Daniel Iversen.

Easy as pie. As it has been all season for the Serb, who has now amassed a ridiculous divisional record of 40 goals in 42 games.

We did not need to wait too long for more. Fabio Carvalho bent a shot wide from just outside the box after smart work from Neeskens Kebano and Mitrovic, Harrison Reed headed over from a rehearsed corner floated to the edge of the area.

Then on 34 minutes, Mitrovic played in Kebano with a flicked header and a deflected cross fell perfectly for Carvalho to clip home at the near post. Not long after, Harry Wilson ran at the heart of a retreating defence and slipped in Mitro again for a crisp low strike inside Iversen's left hand post.

It was the team's 98th goal of the season and they are only 10 behind Man City's record for the Championship with four still to play.

Preston tried to show a little defiance and Cameron Archer had a shot tipped onto the bar by Rodek, before Mitrovic burst through to strike the crossbar at the other end after a fine deflected block by Iversen.

The over-worked keeper then made an excellent double save to thwart Carvalho and Mitrovic as the floodgates threatened to open.

There was to be no hat-trick for the no9 this time and Marco Silva withdrew him 13 minutes from time. But by then, the job was more than done.

Whites: (4-2-3-1) Rodak – N Williams, Tosin, Ream, Bryan – Cairney, Reed (Seri 70) – Wilson, Carvalho (De Cordova-Reid 75), Kebano – Mitrovic (Muniz 77). Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Hector, Chalobah, Robinson

Lilywhites: (3-1-4-2) Iversen – van den Berg, Lindsay, Hughes – Whiteman – Potts (Sinclair 69), McCann, Johnson, Earl (Diaby h/t) – Evans (Maguire 25), Archer. Subs not used: Cunningham, Rafferty, Huntington, Hudson



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/yo-yo-fulham-secure-another-promotion-as-more-mitrovic-goals-usher-in-elevation

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Fulham seal immediate promotion back to the Premier League with Preston win

Fulham were relegated from the Premier League in 2021 under Scott Parker, but Marco Silva has led them right back to the top flight at the first time of asking

Fulham will be back in the Premier League next season, with Marco Silva's team confirming their promotion at the first time of asking.

The Cottagers missed a chance to mathematically make sure of things on Friday, throwing away a lead given to them by Liverpool-bound Fabio Carvalho and losing to Derby. But that loss only delayed the inevitable for a team who have been far and away the highest scorers in the second tier this season.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has already broken the individual Championship goalscoring record, passing the 31-goal high mark set by Brentford's Ivan Toney. And he was twice on target for the Whites on Tuesday as they ran out 3-0 winners over Preston.

Carvalho netted the other goal on the night at Craven Cottage.

Silva's side have twice hit six goals in league games this season, and also won 7-0 away to both Blackburn Rovers and Reading.

It has been a team full of attacking talent, with summer signing Harry Wilson also thriving and Carvalho enjoying a breakout season after making his debut last term. Wilson's Welsh international teammate Neco Williams has also impressed since arriving on loan from Liverpool in January and a number of members of last season's squad have stayed to help lead the team back up.

Promotion means Silva will manage a fourth different club in the Premier League. His first job in England saw him suffer relegation with Hull City in 2017, and he also had spells in charge of Watford and Everton before moving to west London.

Fulham's last Premier League campaign started slowly, with four straight defeats to open the season, and they never fully recovered. They never climbed above 17th in the table and were eventually relegated with just 28 points.

Not only have they already clinched promotion with time to spare, but they look set to go up as champions.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-fulham-promoted-premier-league-26724228

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Fulham promoted to Premier League after 3-0 victory over Preston

Fulham have been promoted to the Premier League after beating Preston 3-0 at a raucous Craven Cottage.

Needing a win to secure top flight football next season, Aleksandar Mitrovic scored two first-half goals either side of a strike from Liverpool-bound Fabio Carvalho.

Mitrovic has scored 40 goals in 39 games, a record tally in the Championship.

The result means that they are 16 points ahead of Nottingham Forest with five games to play. Only Bournemouth can finish above Fulham this season, confirming their automatic promotion.

Fulham return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, having been relegated to the Championship after finishing 18th in 2020-21. Marco Silva's side have been top of the league since January.

They could have secured promotion against now-relegated Derby County on Friday, and were leading through Fabio Carvalho at half-time. However, a second-half comeback from Derby meant that the west London side had to wait.

Similarly, Fulham would have gone up if Nottingham Forest lost to West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, but Steve Cooper's side won 3-0.

It will be Fulham's third spell in the Premier League in the last five seasons. They have been relegated immediately after both previous promotions.

The club previously spent over ten years in the Premier League between 2001 and 2014.



https://theathletic.com/news/fulham-promoted-to-premier-league-after-3-0-victory-over-preston/LgUz8X9563Xc/

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Fulham win to seal promotion back to Premier League

Fulham sealed promotion back to the Premier League with a resounding win at Craven Cottage.

Preston could not cope with Whites' star forward, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored his 39th and 40th Championship goals of the campaign either side of an effort by Fabio Carvalho in an emphatic first-half performance.

Marco Silva's side have earned their place in the top tier with two games to spare.

Fulham – approaching the game in nervous mood, having lost in their previous two outings – were threatened early on by the Lilywhites.

Home keeper Marek Rodak was forced to make instinctive saves from efforts by Ched Evans and Ben Whiteman within the opening ten minutes.

However, the danger served as a wake-up call for the hosts, who duly went in front in minute later. Joe Bryan dispossessed Brad Potts on the left-hand side before his neat through-pass found Mitrovic, who calmly slipped the ball under advancing Preston keeper Daniel Iversen.

With the Whites subsequently taking control, it was no surprise that they doubled their lead in the 33rd minute.

In a flowing move, once again on the left, Neeskens Kebano kept his cool before seeking out Carvalho with a precise assist – and the attacking midfielder nipped in to edge the ball past Iversen from close range.

And with five minutes to go before half-time, Fulham turned on the style with their third of the night, courtesy of Mitrovic.

Driving into the Preston half, Harry Wilson outpaced a couple of defenders before setting up the poised Serbian striker to casually fire home.

In a lively start to the second half, Rodak tipped a Cameron Archer shot against the woodwork in a rare Preston raid, before both Mitrovic and Carvalho were superbly denied by the busy Iversen.

Fulham: Rodak, Bryan, Ream, Adarabioyo, Williams, Reed (Seri 69), Cairney, Kebano, Carvalho (Decordova-Reid 75), Wilson, Mitrovic (Muniz 76)



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-win-to-seal-promotion-back-to-premier-league

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Fulham promoted back to Premier League at first time of asking from Championship

Fulham have sealed an immediate return to the Premier League after winning promotion with a dominant victory over Preston North End in the Championship on Tuesday night

Fulham have been promoted back to the Premier League after beating Preston North End on Tuesday night.

The 3-0 victory has sealed a promotion that has seemed likely for much of the season, with the Cottagers almost running away with the Championship title. Powered by the goals of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Marco Silva's side now require just a further seven points to win the title as Bournemouth remain the only side able to catch them this season.

Goals from Mitrovic (two) and Fabio Carvalho sealed the all important victory over visitors Preston at Craven Cottage to kick-off the promotion party in west London.

The win takes Fulham onto 86 points with four matches remaining of the season and means that they cannot be ousted from the top two.

Having been top of the table since January and with 26 wins from their 42 matches, Fulham have comfortably claimed their third promotion to the Premier League in the last five seasons.

They will hope to fair better on their return this time around, having been relegated at the first time of asking following their last two promotions, meaning they have tasted relegation in each of their last three seasons in the top flight.

Unlike the last two promotion campaigns, though, Fulham have not needed the play-offs to get out of the Championship this time, thanks largely to the goals of Mitrovic.

The Serbian striker's remarkable league tally, which has now reached 40 goals, is a new Championship record, with the 27-year-old having broken Ivan Toney's record of 31 all the way back in January.

All that remains for Mitrovic this season is to beat the all-time second tier record for goals in a season of 42, set by Guy Whittingham for Portsmouth back in the 1992/93 season.



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-fulham-promoted-premier-league-26723470

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Fulham promoted back to Premier League as Aleksandar Mitrovic reaches 40 for the season

Fulham are back in the Premier League, winning promotion at the first time of asking after a 3-0 win over Preston on Tuesday evening secured their return.

The Cottagers, promoted back in 2020 via the play-offs, were relegated just a year later after finishing 18th with 28 points. However, after Scott Parker departed and took charge at Bournemouth, the south-west London club brought in former Everton boss Marco Silva.

And the Portuguese coach has watched his side make light work of their time back in the second tier.

Indeed, they have had promotion in sight for a number of weeks. However, they were finally able to officially celebrate on Tuesday evening following a 3-0 win over Preston at Craven Cottage.

The victory came courtesy of talisman striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored twice to take his tally to an incredible 40 goals for the season.

He opened the scoring after just nine minutes, before adding a second on 41. The other Fulham goal came after 34 minutes through Fabio Carvalho, the youngster who appears likely to sign for Liverpool this summer.

Serbian striker Mitrovic is now just two goals shy of Guy Whittingham's all-time record tally of 42 goals in a single season in the second tier.

And he has four matches left to try and match, and possibly better, that tally.

In total, the Cottagers have scored an astonishing 98 goals this season from their 42 games played. They also now have 86 points on the board – and could reach 98 if they are to win their final four matches.

Whittingham tribute to Mitrovic after Fulham promotion
Whittingham has saluted Mitrovic for ending his reign as the last man to score 40 goals in an English league season. However, the Portsmouth great believes the Fulham striker will be even happier with promotion.

Mitrovic scored twice against Preston to reach the magical landmark last achieved when Whittingham went on to notch 42 for Portsmouth in 1992-93. His efforts, in a sense, were for nothing with Pompey ultimately missing out on promotion.

Paying tribute to Mitrovic, Whittingham saluted the Serbian.

"Fond memories obviously, but the lasting memory was the disappointment of not winning promotion," Whittingham told the PA news agency.

"That was the closest I got to a promotion, they come around very rarely."

Mitrovic's goals have come in 38 appearances and Derek Dooley's post-war record in the second tier – 46 for Sheffield Wednesday in 1951-52 – could still be within range.

"I think there was one even longer ago got 56 or something," said Whittingham, referring to George Camsell's 59 for Middlesbrough in 1926-27. "That's just crazy.

"(Mitrovic) needs (three goals in four games) to beat mine so I can't see him not doing it."



https://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/cottagers-promoted-back-to-premier-league-aleksandar-mitrovic-reaches-40-goals

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Fulham secures immediate promotion back to Premier League

LONDON (AP) — Fulham secured an immediate return to the Premier League after a 3-0 win over Preston on Tuesday guaranteed a top-two finish in the League Championship.

The promotion has been powered by Aleksandar Mitrovic's 40 goals, including two against Preston, and there are still four games remaining.

Marco Silva's side looks set to go up as champion, with second-place Bournemouth nine points adrift.

Fulham has swung back and forth from the top two divisions every season since gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2018 after a four-year absence.

There will be a cluster of teams based in west London in next season's Premier League, with Chelsea and Brentford also based there.



https://apnews.com/article/business-sports-soccer-aleksandar-mitrovic-premier-league-783f0ec4ab9ca5a7ebc1c0719ba0abff

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Fulham seal Premier League promotion

Fulham have secured promotion back to the Premier League with a 3-0 home win over Preston North End, which guaranteed the London side a top-two finish in the second-tier Championship.

League leaders Fulham -- who were relegated from the top flight last year -- now have 86 points from 42 games.

Promotion is worth up to $240 million, according to last year's Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance.

The top two in the division are promoted to the Premier League while the teams that finish third to sixth go into the playoffs to fight for the final spot.

Cottagers manager Marco Silva hailed a "fantastic journey" in which his side have won 26 of 42 games in the league, having scored 98 goals while conceding only 37.

"We deserved it," Silva said.

"We have to be proud of what we have achieved for this football club, it was the reason we came, the reason they invited us to come and join this football club, and we did it."

Fulham took the lead through Aleksandar Mitrovic in the ninth minute before Fabio Carvalho grabbed another and Mitrovic completed a first-half rout by finishing off a slick team move in the 41st minute.

The free-scoring Serbian has been key to Fulham's fortunes, averaging a goal per game with 40 strikes this season.

Mitrovic now sits just two strikes behind Guy Whittingham's 42-goal haul from a 46-game second-tier season for Portsmouth in 1992-93.

Fulham's promotion had looked inevitable for some time, but their celebrations were put on hold last week when they lost at Derby County.

Their next challenge is to win the Championship title.

They are nine points clear of second-placed Bournemouth, who have 77 points and a game in hand on the leaders.

Huddersfield Town are in third place on 73 ahead of Luton Town with 71, Forest on 70 and Sheffield United who currently occupy the final play-off place with 66 points.

Fulham have been a yo-yo club in recent years, and Silva admitted the challenge of staying in the Premier League is difficult.

"A nice word yo-yo team, a good nickname," he said.

"The challenge is huge definitely.

"We have to be really positive, we have to have desire and ambition.

"Now we celebrate and get the job done in the next four games."



https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/fulham-promoted-back-into-premier-league-c-6504257

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40 goals in 40 games for Mitrovic as Fulham secure Premier League promotion
It is the fifth consecutive season the Cottagers have changed divisions.

FULHAM WERE promoted back to the Premier League on Tuesday with four games to spare as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice in a 3-0 win over Preston at Craven Cottage.

It is the fifth consecutive season the Cottagers have changed divisions as they were also promoted in 2018 and 2020 before being relegated in their first season back in the top flight.

However, in contrast to their need to go via the playoffs two years ago, Marco Silva's men have been the best side in the Championship by a distance this season.

Mitrovic has been the major reason why and the Serb took his tally to an incredible 40 goals in 40 league games this season with a first-half double.

Liverpool-bound Fabio Carvalho was also on target as Fulham also closed in on sealing the Championship title.

They lead Bournemouth by nine points with five games left for the Cherries to catch them.



https://www.the42.ie/40-goals-in-40-games-for-mitrovic-as-fulham-secure-premier-league-promotion-5742443-Apr2022/

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Can Marco Silva's Fulham buck recent trend and stay in the Premier League?

Marco Silva has guided Fulham back into the Premier League at the first time of asking with four matches to spare.

Tuesday night's 3-0 win over Preston, thanks to two goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic – who brought his tally for the season to 40 goals – and Fabio Carvalho sealed promotion with four games to spare.

It is the club's third promotion in five seasons, with both of their previous top-flight campaigns ending in relegation.

Here, we take a look at whether Fulham can survive in the Premier League next term.

Have they learned from last time?
Last time Fulham secured promotion they went into the top flight confident they had learnt from the disastrous 2018-19 season, when they spent over £100million on new players - many of whom did not seem to fit in - and had three different managers in charge. But despite a more settled campaign they struggled to score goals, netting just 27 times, and finished 11 points adrift of safety.

Will scoring goals be a problem this time?
Not if they transfer across their form from this season. They have so far scored 98 goals, 33 more than second-placed Bournemouth. Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has now netted a record-breaking 40 goals, while Harry Wilson hit double figures and on his previous season in the top flight netted seven times for Bournemouth.

But can they reproduce that in the Premier League?
That's the key question. Mitrovic managed just three in his last campaign in the Premier League and was often isolated, while only rock-bottom Sheffield United finished with fewer goals than Fulham's tally of 27. But the dynamic system Silva has produced should see Fulham offer more of a threat next year. And Silva has averaged 1.3 goals per game during his previous stints in the Premier League with Hull, Watford and Everton.

Can the defence cope?
They boast the second stingiest defence in the division, but will face much tougher opposition next term. Silva's teams have conceded 153 goals in 95 Premier League games with him in charge, and he will have to prove he can set up a side that can both pose a threat going forward and keep it tight at the back in the top tier of English football.

Is Silva the right man for a Premier League campaign?
Silva has undoubtedly won over Fulham fans with his entertaining football and the 44-year-old Portuguese will be looking forward to testing himself again in the Premier League, where he has enjoyed some impressive results with his former clubs. However, each of those stints were relatively short-lived, and he will be eager to prove he belongs in the top flight.

Will they need to add to their squad?
Promoted teams always need new signings, and Fulham may need to replace some key players, too. Fabio Carvalho looks set to move at the end of the season when his current contract expires and has been linked to Liverpool. Loanee Neco Williams will head back to Anfield while Neeskens Kebano, Tim Ream and Jean Michael Seri are out of contract.

So will they survive this time?
Fulham will need to be smart in the transfer market and hope Silva's style proves to be effective at a higher level. But they do appear, at this early stage, to be better prepared than on either of their last two visits to the top flight.



https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/can-marco-silvas-fulham-buck-recent-trend-and-stay-in-the-premier-league-41568115.html

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Fulham are promoted to the Premier League – but what could their squad look like next season?

Fulham have had some season – 98 goals (40 for Aleksander Mitrovic alone) 26 wins and some incredibly consistent and stunning performances throughout the campaign.

But as they celebrate an instant return to the top-flight, they are now faced with the question that has plagued them for the last five years – can they survive more than just one season in the Premier League?

The personnel of the squad this time out will make a huge difference and, despite his heroics this season, Mitrovic has faltered at the top level on the last two occasions.

During Fulham's most recent top-flight stint in 2020-21, it wasn't the Serbian who was the sides' top scorer but Bobby Decordova-Reid with just five goals.

Despite his recent history in the Premier League, Mitrovic has surely earned the right to feature heavily next season and head coach Marco Silva will need to continue to maximise his number nine's abilities.

However, with wonderkid Fabio Carvalho seemingly bound for Liverpool in a deal worth a reported £5m plus add ons, Silva will need to add Premier League quality to the squad.

Fulham have eight players out of contract at the end of this season with Silva likely to try and retain the services of Jean Michael Seri and Neeskens Kebano, who have both had stellar seasons for the Cottagers.

Defenders Tim Ream, Michael Hector and Alfie Mawson are also free agents in the summer with the ever-popular Ream the most likely to be kept around in the dressing room even if he only makes a handful of cameos next term.

Elsewhere, youngsters Steven Sessegnon and Tyrese Francois have both been starved of game time during most of their tenure at Craven Cottage and will likely be allowed to leave the club.

As for incoming personnel, Fulham have been linked with a £5.8m move for Internacional winger Caio Vidal with the 21-year-old also attracting attention from Fiorentina and Getafe.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Israeli international winger Manor Solomon is an all but done deal with the 22-year-old apparently looking to secure a move away from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.

Another rumoured link is Blackburn Rovers and England U20 midfielder Tyrhys Dolan, who has attracted interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and West Ham United.

Dolan has shown flashes of real quality for Blackburn this season and could be a dynamic young addition to any Premier League side should he find his current club unable to get there via the Play-Offs.

At the other end of the pitch, Fulham have once again been linked with current West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who is on loan from PSG after the Frenchman had a brilliant loan stint at Fulham during the 2020-21 campaign despite their resultant relegation.

Certainly having a reliable name between the sticks when you're battling for survival can be the difference between staying up and going down and Burnley's Nick Pope is another name that has been mentioned if the managerless Clarets go down – with the goalkeeper keen to remain at the highest level to be in contention for England's World Cup squad this winter.

FC Koln defender Timo Hubers, who has made 15 appearances for the Bundesliga side this season is also reportedly being looked at, as is Liverpool and England defender Joe Gomez.

At one point the 24-year-old was an almost guaranteed starter at Anfield but has dropped down the pecking order as that spot next to the omnipotent Virgil van Dijk has been held down by either Joel Matip or Ibrahim Konate.

Fulham will also be hoping to secure Liverpool team-mate Neco Williams on a permanent basis, who has impressed since his January loan move, but getting one of the two, let alone both would be an ambitious move.

Speaking of ambition, Fulham have reportedly joined the race to sign 27-year-old AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

Silva clearly has defensive solidity as one of his top priorities and if the rumours are to be believed, Fulham could be looking at a back four of Antonee Robinson/Ola Aina, Gomez, Tosin Adarabioyo and Williams/Kenny Tete with Nick Pope in goal.

In midfield the tenacious Harrison Reed will likely remain alongside Seri should Silva keep hold of him and either club captain Tom Cairney or Nathaniel Chalobah occupying a midfield three.

Up top, Mitrovic retains his number nine spot with Marco Solomon, Neeksens Kebano, Harry Wilson or Bobby De Cordova Reid interchangeable on the wings.

More links will inevitably unfold over the summer, but for now, Fulham and their current squad should revel in their achievements and enjoy the remaining four games of what has been a truly impressive season.



https://londonfootballscene.co.uk/2022/04/19/fulham-are-promoted-to-the-premier-league-but-what-could-their-squad-look-like-next-season/

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Mitrovic's brace sends Fulham up in style

After two dispiriting defeats, this was a fitting way for Fulham to seal an immediate return to the top flight. Aleksandar Mitrovic – the man whose goals have sparked their surge to the top of the Championship table – grabbed a glorious brace either side of an impudent finish from the fabulously talented Fabio Carvalho as Marco Silva's stylish side removed any doubt about their destination by putting three past poor Preston North End before half time. Craven Cottage has long been a throwback to English football's glorious past, but this Fulham side felt like a throwback to a previous era where the shackles were removed and adventure was encouraged.

Silva's overhaul of Scott Parker's suffocating football has been easy on the eye and remarkably effective. Fulham started the season as overwhelming favourites to bounce straight back from the crushing pain of relegation, but even the Portugese head coach has to have been pleasantly surprised at how serene his first nine months in the job have proven. Mitrovic, a man transformed from the one who missed the decisive penalty as Serbia failed to make the European Championships before being ludicrously left out of a team that couldn't finish their dinner, has bullied Championship defences into submission from the outset. It is preposterous that the Serbian man mountain has forty goals with five games to go – he made a mockery of concerns about his fitness following the defeat of Derby with a domineering display here.

There were certainly nerves at the start of the evening following a poor home display against Coventry and the meek capitulation at Pride Park on Friday night. North End looked in the mood to capitalise on any home jitters with Cameron Archer and Daniel Johnson combining to create an opening for Ched Evans, whose deflected shot was kept out by Marek Rodak. The Slovakian goalkeeper, perhaps playing for a place in the Premier League, displayed all of his agility to turn a long-range effort from Ben Whiteman that had looped off Tim Ream. Those early scares seemed to enliven the hosts, who took the lead in the tenth minute.

Joe Bryan shook off the disappointment of being run ragged in Derby on Good Friday by pinching possession off Brad Potts and bursting away from Ali McCann. He slipped a clever ball between the retreating Preston defenders and Mitrovic slotted a low finish past Daniel Iversen after leaving Liam Lindsay trailing in his wake. The visitors probably had a good idea it wasn't going to be their night when Evans limped off after 25 minutes, but they were struggling to make any serious impression by this point. Carvalho curled an effort wide from twenty yards after lovely one-touch football involving Neeskens Kebano and Mitrovic before Harrison Reed headed over at a corner.

The Whites doubled their lead eleven minutes before half time. A clipped ball was masterfully flicked into Kebano's path by Mitrovic and the Congolese winger bore infield with real intent. He got a bit of fortune when his square ball hit the heels of Lindsay and broke invitingly for Carvalho, with the teenager lifting a lovely finish over the helplessly isolated Iversen. You could feel the Cottage crowd relax with the construction of a commanding cushion, which was soon extended with a goal that encapsulated Fulham's flowing football.

White shirts poured forward as Mitrovic parted the Preston defence with a one-two at pace with Harry Wilson, firing clinically past Iversen after a deft piece of control. Ryan Lowe's side might easily have disintegrated after that but, to their immense credit, Preston came out with renewed rigour. Only a stupendous save from Rodak prevented Cameron Archer from reducing their arrears straight after the restart as he tipped the striker's measured strike onto the bar, but Fulham also hit the woodwork shortly afterwards with Iversen redeeming himself for an atrocious ball out from the back by preventing Mitrovic from completing another hat-trick.

The Preston goalkeeper then made excellent stops to deny Carvalho and Mitrovic in quick succession with Johnson firing wide from the edge of the box. For the first time, the contest took on the qualities of an exhibition as the home faithful acclaimed their heroes before Neco Williams lined up a drive from distance that only just cleared the crossbar. Ben Whiteman went close with a free-kick, but Fulham weren't unduly discomforted on their big night as Silva's side sealed their return to English football's elite in emphatic fashion.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Williams, Bryan, Adarabioyo, Ream; Reed (Seri 70), Cairney; Wilson, Kebano, Carvalho (Decordova-Reid 75); Mitrovic (Muniz 77). Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Hector, A. Robinson, Chalobah.

BOOKED: Cairney.

GOALS: Mitrovic (9, 41), Carvalho (34).

PRESTON NORTH END (3-1-4-2): Iversen; van den Berg, Lindsay, Hughes; Whiteman; Potts (Sinclair 69), Johnson, McCann, Earl (Diaby 45); Archer, Evans (Maguire 25). Subs (not used): Hudson, Cunningham, Huntingdon, Rafferty.

BOOKED: Whiteman.

REFEREE: Leigh Doughty (Lancashire).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/04/mitrovics-brace-sends-fulham-up-in-style/

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Fulham's promotion to the Premier League confirmed after win over Preston North End

Fulham have been promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking following their 3-0 win over Preston North End on Tuesday night.

First-half goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Fabio Carvalho secured the Cottagers return to the top-flight in front of a jubilant Craven Cottage crowd.

Fulham's promotion has been a long time coming, as Marco Silva's side have been top of the Championship table since November, with their campaign spearheaded by striker Mitrovic who has smashed the division's goal scoring record, with 40 goals in 40 games at the time of writing.

Fulham defender and vice-captain Tim Ream told BBC Radio 5 Live after the match: 'To do it at home in front of our fans, the way we did it storming that first half – there are not many better feelings.

'It's been a breath of fresh air to be honest when Marco Silva came in, absolutely incredible.

'He's come in and brought his own philosophy of attacking football and you look at the amount we score, he's just an all-around very good manager and someone we needed at the club at that time.'

The West Londoners will be hoping that their next stay in the Premier League will be longer than their last one in 2020/21, when they were relegated after a single season.

Fulham are likely to be joined by Bournemouth, who last played in the top-flight in 2020, while the third promotion spot is very much up for grabs with Huddersfield Town, Luton Town, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United currently occupying the play-off places.



https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/19/fulhams-promotion-to-the-premier-league-confirmed-16497263/?ito=newsnow-feed