Fulham manager Marco Silva had called on his players to ease the burden on Aleksandar Mitrovic — and they duly responded, with an excellent victory over Aston Villa which ended up costing Steven Gerrard his job.
The Villa boss was sacked an hour after the final whistle at Craven Cottage, his side only one place above the drop zone by goal difference. Meanwhile, the Cottagers, once among the relegation favourites themselves, rose to ninth on the back of a real team display.
Silva’s side earned their first clean sheet in the League since August and, although Mitrovic was in the thick of it as ever, their threat came from multiple sources.
The Fulham boss was especially pleased with the contribution of Willian, who rolled back the years to show the form he produced at Chelsea rather than Arsenal, following a month-long trial after escaping a mixed spell back in Brazilian football.
The 34-year-old had three shots saved, with his other effort blocked after a five versus two counter-attack in the first half. “It was good to see him play at the level we know he can keep playing, because he has everything,” Silva said. “You need to keep him in the best condition you can, because he is a great addition to our squad.
“He stays in the condition to play at a high level. Tonight, he almost took every right decision in every moment he was involved. It is just the players at the top, top, top level that can do it.”
Midfielder Harrison Reed curled home only his second goal in 114 games for the club when a punch from Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez landed at his feet 10 minutes before half-time.
Villa played the last half-hour with 10 men, after Douglas Luiz was sent off for headbutting Mitrovic. Eight minutes later, the Fulham striker tucked home a penalty, awarded after his shot had struck Matty Cash on the arm. It was his eighth League goal of the season — only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have more.
Mitrovic was taken off immediately after Tyrone Mings turned Neeskens Kabano’s cross into his own goal with six minutes to go — protecting the Serb after his recovery from a recent foot injury.
