Mitrović strikes as Fulham fightback leaves Leeds in drop zone
After their 3-0 success in midweek over Aston Villa spelled the end of Steven Gerrard’s reign, Fulham were looking to push a second manager over the edge in the space of three days.
Leeds started postively, but were indebted to Marc Roca’s (25) heroic goalline clearance to keep scores level, as the Spaniard slid to block Harrison Reed’s (27) effort on the line.
Moments later, the hosts took advantage and moved into the lead through Rodrigo (31). The forward was first to react after Jack Harrison’s (25) shot was deflected and ballooned into the air at the far post, beating Tosin Adarabioyo (25) to the loose ball and heading home.
Leeds came into the contest with the joint-best defensive record on home soil in the PL this season, but their rearguard proved anything but airtight as the visitors muscled their way back into the contest.
Andreas Pereira’s (26) corner was headed home at the near post by the talismanic Aleksandar Mitrović (28) - directly contributing to his seventh goal in as many appearances against the Whites.
Marco Silva’s men now had the momentum and spurned a huge chance to take the lead when Pereira broke free and was one-on-one with Illan Meslier (22), but the Frenchman made a terrific save on his 100th appearance for the club.
Having survived late Fulham pressure in the first half, Leeds looked to restore their advantage after the interval and came close twice, with Brenden Aaronson (22) and Luke Ayling (31) both missing narrowly.
The American playmaker turned provider for substitute Patrick Bamford (29) moments later, but Bernd Leno (30) rushed out of his goal to smother the effort.
Once more, Leeds’ inability to defend a set-piece cost them as Fulham edged ahead. The hosts failed to adequately clear Pereira’s corner, with the ball eventually finding Bobby Decordova-Reid (29) who glanced a brilliant header beyond Meslier.
That goal proved the trigger for toxicity around the crowd, with the home support dismayed with their team’s miserable form so far this term.
Things only got worse when Willian (34) sealed the deal for the Cottagers, tapping in after Reed’s brilliant work to work space on the right gave him an open goal to aim at.
Crysencio Summerville’s (20) late consolation couldn’t prevent Leeds falling into the relegation zone after a sixth defeat in eight matches, currently enduring their worst start to a top-flight season since relegation in 2003/04.
