1 min
Fulham thumped promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion 3-0 courtesy of a Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick in a fiery Craven Cottage encounter.
Mitrovic opened the scoring in the 20th minute from the penalty spot after Kyle Bartley was adjudged to have fouled the forward in the box.
And it was 2-0 five minutes before half-time as Mitrovic pounced on a horrendous back pass by West Brom’s Robert Snodgrass to coolly slotted home.
The Baggies tried to rally after the break with Conor Townsend producing a tantalising cross which none of his team-mates could connect with inside the six yard box.
However, West Brom continued to make mistakes at the back as Matthew Clarke’s short back pass gave Neeskens Kebano an opportunity he couldn’t take advantage of.
And things went from bad to worse for them when Darnell Furlong saw red in the 70th minute for hacking down Harry Wilson.
Mitrovic then scored his and Fulham’s third eight minutes from time before Tosin Adarabioyo was sent-off late on for a high challenge.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
Fulham’s second goal just before half-time was gifted to them by West Brom and the Cottagers were rarely threatened from that point onwards.
Moan of the Match
Any bit of attacking threat from West Brom was matched by disastrous defending and Fulham will have been disappointed to have not scored more.
Talking Point
Aleksandar Mitrovic has now scored eight goals in four games for Fulham. Could he break the Championship goal scoring record this season?
Man of the Match
Aleksandar Mitrovic – the Serbian will never score an easier hat-trick as he continues to fire Fulham to victory.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Michael Salisbury (Lancashire) – struggled to deal with the encounter and arguably Fulham’s penalty was a soft decision to make which even Mitrovic looked surprised at.
Atmosphere
You could hear the groans all the way from the Midlands when West Brom’s Robert Snodgrass gifted Aleksandar Mitrovic his second goal.
Verdict
What was advertised as a clash between two potential Premier League sides ended up as a freebie for Fulham and a massive three points for the Cottagers.
