Fulham needed to reassert themselves at Bristol City and Swansea City after two successive humbling home defeats.
Bristol City
Their opponents were also desperate for a victory and the cautious attitude of both teams produced a sterile first half. Chris Martin and Tomas Kalas, both previously with Fulham, contrived City's best chance while Harry Wilson and Josh Onomah combined to test goalkeeper Daniel Bentley just before the interval.
For the second period, coach Marco Silva judged correctly that Neeskens Kebano and Harrison Reed would enliven the attack. A Kebano pass was helped on by Bobby DeCordova to Aleksandar Mitrovic, who shot on the turn to hit the bar. Shortly afterwards Neeskens's centre, nodded on by Harry Wilson, allowed Mitro to score from close range. It was touching to see the players celebrating with young Rhys Porter, a victim of unpleasantries online.
One effect of the goal was to galvanise City. After Kalas had headed over, Paulo Gazzaniga found himself called into action. Having thwarted Nahki Wells he saved from Chris Martin only for Kasey Palmer to scoop the ball back into the net.
In the closing minutes Fulham nearly snatched victory when Jean-Michael Seri's long shot was deflected against the bar. This prompted a hectic finish with both teams going for goal. Mitrovic alone had three opportunities, the most difficult inspiring his best effort, an angled header that went just wide. Fulham supporters voted Mitro the Man of the Match but he let Bristol City escape with a point.
Swansea City
Swansea City, who visited the Cottage on Wednesday night, were less fortunate.
With insolent ease the Serb completed a first-half hat-trick - at the Putney End naturally. A powerful header from Tim Ream found Mitrovic inside the area (possibly offside) and he turned and hit the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. After some squandered chances Joe Bryan and Neeskens Kebano combined to allow the striker to flick the ball into the same spot with his left.
In the 38th minute, the visitors spoiled the party by catching Fulham's defence out of position. Jamie Paterson's solo effort, which was so skilful that we Hammersmith Enders felt impelled to applaud, brought Swansea back into the game but fortunately Denis Odoi on the right gave Mitro the chance that he needed to complete his trio before half-time.
This was not a one man show. Collectively and individually the players were outstanding in the first half ('top notch' as Tim Ream justifiably claimed).
Despite Swansea's lively response after the interval Marco Silva felt sufficiently relaxed to take Mitrovic and Walker off the pitch for the final quarter. This may have given the impression that the game was won, for the standard of play dropped almost instantly and a better team than Swansea would have exploited it. Flynn Downes missed a simple chance and Ethan Laird hit the bar. Nevertheless, the Whites had achieved an impressive and important victory.
Ground game
Like other supporters I have found the turnstiles slower this season and the queues for entry longer.
The system has changed slightly and may be experiencing teething problems.
As the new grandstand looks almost ready the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. Likewise, more time is needed to leave the ground after the final whistle and the opening of the new stand will affect this.
We shall see how the club adapts to the newly enlarged ground.
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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