Mitrovic continues to impress Fulham boss Jokanovic

Posted Monday, August 27, 2018 by PA

Slavisa Jokanovic is certain Aleksandar Mitrovic can fire the goals to keep Fulham in the Premier League.

Mitrovic scored twice and was inches away from a deserved hat-trick as the Cottagers beat Burnley 4-2 to secure their first points of the season.

The Serbian striker netted 12 goals while on loan at Fulham last term to help them to promotion, and having made the move from Newcastle permanent in the summer he set about the task of keeping them in the top flight in style.

Fulham boss Jokanovic said: “His attitude is fantastic, he is always available, we believe he is a quality player.

He demonstrated his ability in the Championship last season. Some people think he is only a Championship player but he showed he can be fighting at the highest level.”

Jeff Hendrick had cancelled out a stunning 25-yard drive from Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri when Mitrovic struck with two headers in two minutes.

James Tarkowski pulled one back for Burnley before half-time but Andre Schurrle’s late strike, after Mitrovic’s shot came back off a post, wrapped up the victory.

“I was getting worried we were waiting so long for the fourth goal but we got it and killed the game. I must be satisfied,” added Jokanovic.

It was Burnley’s eighth competitive fixture of the season and manager Sean Dyche admits their Europa League exertions – they lost 3-1 to Olympiakos in Greece on Thursday – are taking their toll.

However, Dyche insists he would not have it any other way.

“We need to see beyond the constant noise of the Europa League, and too many games and all that sort of stuff,” he said.

“The players get a barrage of different stories and mostly, I think it is fair to say, those have been negative about the Europa League and how many games we are playing.

“But it’s the reality, that’s the challenge – can we keep going in two competitions?

“We are stretched at the moment, as everyone knows. These are the complications of life at Burnley sometimes. We are skinny on numbers at the minute to take on the two competitions.

“But that’s the reality, no excuses. Those are just the facts.

“The best side won and the best player on the pitch was the centre-forward, Mitrovic. He did everything that a good centre-forward should do.”