Fulham 1 Watford 1: Aleksandar Mitrovic rescues Premier League point

1/13
Jack Rosser @JackRosser_22 September 2018

The best and worst of Slavisa Kokanovic’s Fulham side were laid bare at Craven Cottage as Aleksandar Mitrovic’s fifth goal of the season earned a point against Watford.

Andre Gray had the high-flying Hornets ahead with the club’s second fastest goal in their Premier League history and they were seemingly cruising to a fifth win of the season until the Serbian struck late on.

Watford put five past Fulham the last time they were here, back in December 2014 as Slavisa Jokanovic was leading the Hertfordshire side back to the Premier League, and those in the home crowd at Craven Cottage would have feared something similar after just 90 seconds.

Now in the home dugout, Jokanovic is yet to name the same back four in consecutive games yet this season, and it shows.

Mitrovic again to Fulham's rescue.
AFP/Getty Images

The hosts were in a mess when first Jean-Michael Seri and then Alfie Mawson failed to deal with Jose Holebas’ long throw, before the ball was allowed to drop at the feet of Will Hughes. The Englishman continued his fine start to the season by rolling the ball left to Gray who, with ample space and time fired past Marcus Bettinelli.

The Fulham keeper was dismissed after just 18 minutes in that meeting four years ago, but proved crucial in keeping the visitors at bay just a minute earlier this time around as, in attempting to deal with a long ball, Mawson nodded nicely down to set Gray through one-on-one, only for the No.1 to force his effort wide.

There was no real reaction to the goal from the hosts. Jokanovic’s side looked neat going forward but far from it at the back as the visitors cut through midfield with alarming regularity and ease on the break, as Troy Deeney continued to bully Mawson and Calum Chambers.

Gray put the visitors ahead.
Getty Images

They had their spells, with Seri doing well to keep the ball moving in midfield, but things just weren’t moving fast enough to ruffle the Watford rearguard.

By half-time, Jokanovic had seen enough. Mawson and captain Kevin McDonald were both hooked with Denis Odoi and Floyd Ayite replacing them at the break, and the hosts were almost level minutes later.

Andriy Schurrle, the most threatening of any player in white all afternoon, drove down the right hand side and, having almost reached the byline, swung a pinpoint ball onto the head of Mitrovic, the only Fulham man in the Watford box, who could only guide it just over the bar.

It was the Serbian who continued to toil seemingly alone against the rigid Watford defence.

Fulham still with just one win this season.
Getty Images

His desire, though, was finally matched by Luciano Vietto with just over ten minutes to go as the forward, on loan from Atletico Madrid, got the better of Daryl Janmaat in the penalty area and drilled a cross to the edge of the six yard box where, eventually, Mitrovic got the best of Foster.

Having battled doggedly to get back level, another defensive mix-up almost cost the hosts as Chambers dawdled on the ball to let in Deeney, who scored a hat-trick the last time he was here, however the Watford captain could not find substitute Isaac Success as Odoi hooked the ball clear to collective relief.

The challenge could have proved even more valuable when, up the other end, having forced a corner from Foster with a well struck effort, Mitrovic clattered the bar with a header.

Fulham worked hard for a point which, in truth, flattered their disjointed performance. Gracia will be frustrated with his side’s inability to take advantage of such a strong start here on the banks of the Thames, but overall there should be little concern over their performance.

For Jokanovic there remains plenty to settle on. Having chopped and changed once more he must be no closer to knowing his best starting XI ahead of a run which, after a League Cup London derby against Millwall, brings Premier League clashes against Everton and Arsenal.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in