A month ago I described the ‘race’ for the title of Fulham’s most prolific scorer in one season. For 80 years Frank ‘Bonzo’ Newton’s record has been unchallenged. Now he has a real contender in Aleksandar Mitrovic.
By the end of February of their respective season both players had scored 34 League goals. Neither man was to have an easy March, partly because of fixture congestion.
Newton scored in the home draw with Swindon but at Norwich he was injured and stretchered off. After one game’s absence he returned for the traditional Easter programme of three matches in four days. He did not score until Easter Monday where he notched two goals against the floundering Thames FC, bringing his total to 37.
March 2022 prescribed four Fulham matches in eleven days. Mitro played in every single one but only scored against ten men Cardiff.
Neither the Serb’s slight loss of form nor Newton’s injury had much effect on the club’s progress. In 1932 and 2022 Fulham began April with a comfortable over all the other promotion seekers.
No thrill
Earlier this season I nursed the hope that Fulham and QPR would both earn Premier status and join Brentford in the autumn. The Bees are buzzing but Rangers seem set for disappointment.
Last Saturday afternoon’s derby at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium could have been a thriller but instead proved to be a routine away win for the Whites.
Rangers did make a promising start when Stefan Johansen and his colleagues set up a good chance for George Thomas but his shot went wide. After Joe Bryan had tested Keiren Westwood from long range, Tom Cairney and Fabio Carvalho combined to give Mitro the sort of opportunity that he loves.
Fulham’s lead almost doubled when Carvalho broke from mid-field and sent a teasing lob over the keeper. Yoann Barbet just managed to stop the ball crossing the line.
Despite Mitrovic’s renewed vigour the second half was uneventful until the 78th minute when Neco William’s centre struck Lee Wallace’s arm. The referee Gavin Ward saw it as a penalty, and the record-breaker duly doubled his tally.
Understandably Rangers felt aggrieved by the referee’s decision and by the Whites’ subsequent time-wasting, but Marek Rodak had enjoyed a peaceful afternoon. The result was fair.
No sympathy
Middlesbrough are in good form as Fulham discovered on Wednesday on their visit to the North East.
Though the Whites made the early running their hosts grew in confidence and much of the first half was fought in mid-field.
The referee James Linington tolerated some full-blooded tackles as was shown by an entertaining incident involving Harrison Reed, who wrested the ball off Duncan Watmore in a fierce challenge only to be cut down by Matt Crooks. Linington saw nothing amiss and allowed play to continue despite Reed’s apparent injury. The Middlesbrough players displayed no sympathy nor did their supporters especially when Harrison jumped up and joined in on a Fulham breakaway.
The first half ended goalless with Fulham defenders making vital interventions and the home forwards missing the opportunities that came their way.
Marco Silva’s team has generally played better after the interval but it was not until the 73rd minute that Mitro moved clear of the pack to head Harry Wilson’s superb free kick past keeper Joe Lumley. Middlesbrough gave a strong response, which disconcerted Marek Rodak, and Tim Ream used his body (and his face) to block an equaliser. Somehow Fulham emerged with three points.
It has been a month since the Whites’ last home appearance and the players will deserve every decibel of their reception next Sunday.
Editor’s note: Fulham could clinch promotion this weekend if Nottingham Forest lose against Birmingham City tomorrow (9 April) and the Cottagers beat Coventry City at home on Sunday afternoon (10 April).
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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