Aleksandar Mitrovic was delighted to restart Fulham’s season in ‘the best possible way’ as he scored one and made two more in a dominant victory at Crystal Palace yesterday.
The Serbian striker, whose participation in this London derby at Selhurst Park was in serious doubt earlier this week owing to a persistent ankle problem, rounded off Fulham’s comfortable 3-0 win with his tenth goal of the campaign but he had already set the Whites well on the way to a precious three points by setting up Bobby Decordova-Reid and Tim Ream, who put Marco Silva’s men two goals to the good.
Mitrovic told Amazon Prime Video Sport after the final whistle:
“I think if we could choose the best possible way to start the season again, it was like today. We played against a good side, but I think we showed that we were a little bit better today. I know they had two red cards, but I think even before the first red card we dominated the game and we scored a goal. The red cards made it easy, but I think today we were really good – in defence and attack.
We knew they were going to try in the first twenty minutes to score a goal and come back. We had to manage their intensity to try and keep the ball in their half of the pitch and dominate the game. The second red card made it even more easy and I think we scored two goals to win the game.”
Fulham’s number nine was delighted to have such an impact straight after his World Cup exploits, even if he admitted to not being fully fit just yet.
“I was really pleased – I would have been more happy if I had scored two more goals, but I’ll take assists today. Joking aside, one goal and two assists I’ll take [it] all day [long]. The most important thing is that three big points for us, a clean sheet and we restarted the season in the best possible way. I really enjoyed it, even though I am still having trouble with my ankle. I’m not fully fit – if I can say, but I am getting there. I really enjoy playing in this team with these lads, with this manager. I want to enjoy every game, every training season and hopefully we will continue like this.”
He reserved high praise for Ream’s first Premier League goal – a stunning close-range half volley that was only his fourth in 272 games for Fulham.
“Amazing! I just told him that he started scoring goals for fun. I’m glad for him. He’s an amazing player, one of the most important players for us. He is comfortable on the ball, he’s a real leader and I’m really glad that he got on the scoresheet and hopefully he can score many more goals this season.”
