Key man: Fabio Carvalho is playing a key role for rampant Fulham amid interest from Liverpool
(Picture: Getty Images)Fulham manager Marco Silva has hailed Fabio Carvalho's commitment following his brace against Birmingham as the Championship leaders hit six once again.
Carvalho scored two fine goals, one in each half, to show why there is interest in his services from Premier League title challengers Liverpool this month.
The 19-year-old has become a key man for Silva this season after missing two months through injury and Covid earlier in the campaign. However, the attacking midfielder rejected the offer of a new deal last year and is out of contract in the summer with a number of top clubs tracking his progress.
In what has been a chaotic season for the youngster, Silva was full of praise following Carvalho's brace.
"Carvalho is a key player for us," said the Fulham boss. "He gave us very good things. It has been a season of ups and downs for him and rumours around him that didn't help, but always I see the same commitment.
"It was a very good result for us, a fantastic score again."
Fulham are now five points clear of Bournemouth at the top of the Championship table as they push for an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Cottagers became the first English side in 88 years to score six or more goals in three consecutive games as they took their tally to 19 from their last three outings, having scored 70 across all 26 Championship matches so far this season.
Despite their rampant form at the top of the table, with Birmingham manager Lee Bowyer describing Silva's side as a "different animal" to any other they have faced this season, the former Everton and Watford manager still wants to see more.
"It wasn't our best performance but we created chances and scored goals from some very good attacking moments," said Silva. "I expected us to control the ball better but we were the best team on the pitch and I have to congratulate my players again.
"Having four different scorers was pleasing. We have a fantastic goalscorer and it is a good sign that we are able to score six goals even if our top scorer doesn't score.
"[Aleksandar] Mitrovic didn't score but was always involved in everything. He did very well tonight. Even though he didn't score, I am very happy with him. He is really happy. Of course he wants to score but he knows the main thing is the football club."
