Fulham back up to second after crushing Millwall
Millwall 0 Fulham 3
Fulham continued their promotion charge by winning a pulsating derby at The Den.
Ryan Sessegnon put them ahead in the first minute of the second half, Kevin McDonald doubled the lead with a terrific strike 10 minutes later, and Aleksandar Mitrović’s late goal sealed the victory.
It extended Fulham’s incredible unbeaten run to 22 matches and moved them back into second place above Cardiff City, who are at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Sessegnon pounced to score after keeper Jordan Archer had parried Mitrović’s shot – the teenager’s 15th goal of the season.
After collecting Matt Targett’s pass and holding off George Saville, McDonald smashed a shot beyond Archer from near the edge of the penalty area.
And in the final minute, the fit-again Tomas Kalas, on as a substitute, burst forward and squared the ball to Mitrović, who slotted home.
Fulham were under pressure for much of the first half.
Whites keeper Marcus Bettinelli tipped Jake Cooper’s early header onto the bar and Millwall had a goal disallowed after Jed Wallace fouled Targett while heading the ball down to Saville, who fired in off the underside of the bar.
As the Lions continued to press, Tim Ream produced an heroic goal-line clearance, sliding in to prevent Wallace’s effort crossing the line.
Having weathered the early storm, Fulham finished the half strongly and the woodwork was rattled again moments before the interval when Targett’s long-range strike hit the bar.
It was a sign of things to come as Millwall were outclassed in the second half and were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men shortly before Mitrović’s goal when a dire challenge by Tim Cahill on Ryan Fredericks went unpunished.
Mitrović’s goal was his 11th since the striker’s arrival on loan from Newcastle.
Subs not used: Button, Norwood, Kebano, Fonte, Kamara.
