It’s getting harder to put into words the astonishing form of Aleksandar Mitrovic this season but the Fulham striker’s numbers tell you all you need to know.
The Championship leaders strengthened their grip at the top of the table thanks to two more goals for the Serbia international as they comfortably saw off Millwall at Craven Cottage. It’s now 30 goals in just 27 league appearances for the No 9.
While Marco Silva’s men have dazzled this season, gaining their most recent admirer in the form of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola after last weekend’s FA Cup clash, it is their forward’s insatiable appetite in front of goal that is propelling them back to the Premier League.
Fulham strengthened their lead at the top of the Championship table by beating Millwall
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored two goals before Bobby Reid added another to win 3-0 on Tuesday
With Guardiola’s words of praise still ringing in their ears Silva’s men went in search of a return to winning ways after a draw in their last Championship outing here with Blackpool.
That match had been stopped during the half after fan Paul Parish took ill in the Hammersmith End and sadly passed away in hospital later that evening.
Silva dedicated the beginning of his programme notes to the lifelong fan and his family, while all Fulham players wore black armbands.
All of them, manager and players, went across to see Paul’s daughter Clare and grand-daughter Felicity at full-time.
‘It is the minimum we can do for them,’ Silva said of the gesture after the game.
‘It was the most sad moment we’ve had this season so far. We knew this match, playing well or not, we had to win.’
The fans had delivered their own tribute by rising to their feet in the 11th minute to applaud one of their own.
By then Fulham were still trying to find their feet in this London derby, but Millwall had nothing to show their early promise.
And that there is the biggest issue for Fulham’s rivals in this division. Any spell of dominance against Silva’s men is only ever fleeting. Chances must be taken. If they’re not, Mitrovic’s will be.
In the 29th minute the Serbian fired home goal number 29 of the season. Home debutant Neco Williams got free down the right and when centre back Alex Pearce swung a boot and missed his low cutback, Mitrovic did not, firing home from six yards.
As a result, Marco Silva’s (above) side have gone six Championship games without a defeat
Mitrovic has now scored an impressive 30 goals in just 27 league appearances for Fulham
Neco Williams (left) also made his home debut since joining on loan from Liverpool
His second arrived after the break, as he reacted quickest after Bartosz Bialkowski had saved Fabio Carvalho’s effort.
‘He’s ruthless and he knows how to make those moments count,’ said Millwall boss Gary Rowett of the matchwinner.
No chance for his hat-trick, the third instead fell for Bobby De Cordova-Reid, the substitute tapping home Carvalho’s dragged effort across goal.