Fulham take automatic promotion fight to the wire after victory over Sunderland

Fulham are back in second place in the Championship after a 2-0 win over Sunderland, as the pressure switches to Cardiff City to match them.

A winning header from Aleksandar Mitrovic sealed the win for the home side in a game that should have been more comfortable than they made it as the Cottagers continued their impeccable run of form, making it 23 games unbeaten. The last side to beat them were Sunderland back in December.

Those picking the TV football schedule might have hoped this to be a decider in Sunderland’s woeful season, but their League One fate was already confirmed the weekend before. They were just playing for pride.

But for Fulham, who have been toying with automatic promotion for the last month, at least a point would put them in second place, taking things down to their final fixture next Sunday.

Visiting boss Chris Coleman was back on familiar turf, returning here for the first time since he managed the Cottagers in the Premier League 11 years ago. Coleman was doing his old side no favours to begin with though.

With the margins so tight at the top, Fulham players have spoken in the last few weeks about feeling the pressure, and a couple of stray passes were beginning to reflect it. In their previous two matches they've handed Millwall and Brentford a way into the game, and were letting Sunderland in once again.

Without anything to offer in response, it was the visitors who drew first blood. As Ashley Fletcher flicked the ball on to Joel Asoro, the midfielder hit a low, driving shot into the bottom corner that Marcus Bettinelli could only push into his own net. A birthday treat for 19-year-old Asoro that he wasn’t too quick to celebrate.

“We’re going to win the league” – sang some of the travelling Black Cats, embracing the humour. It takes commitment to come some 250 miles down from the North East when there’s nothing at stake.

Sunderland's fighting spirit came unexpectedly, tackles coming in across the pitch as their youngsters tried to impress. Whites left-back Matt Targett was brought to ground twice, the second of which forced Slaviša Jokanović to bring on Aboubakar Kamara, who would offer more than expected in replacing him.

As the home team began to wake up, things started to get heated towards the half-time whistle. Just as Sunderland began to get comfortable in their opposition’s half, Fulham hit on the counter. Kamara fed a ball to Ryan Fredericks on the right wing. His ball flashed across the box, falling to Lucas Piazon, who coolly tucked away the equaliser.

But the hosts were lucky, as there were claims of a penalty seconds before for Sunderland, as Ovie Ejaria was brought clattering down by Tim Ream. Replays showed the referee was wrong to ignore it.

As both sides returned for the second half, Fulham were the ones who harnessed a fighting attitude, making their way back into the game. As in their previous two fixtures, where they've been level at half-time, it was a question of scoring, and closing it out.

Kamara was heavily involved as he switched out to the right wing, Ryan Sessegnon dropping back to cover the defence on the left-hand side. They wouldn't need the Championship Player of the Season's goalscoring ability tonight.

The pressure was resting with both the home side and their audience, as calls of “shoot” came whenever a yard of space was found outside the box. Captain Tom Cairney did try two curling efforts, both going inches wide of the far post.

The Cottagers carried on, wearing down their visitors, who began to give away numerous fouls. With 13 minutes to go, it was one of those free-kicks that finally put the hosts in front. Stefan Johansen sent a looping ball over to the back post, and there to meet it was Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbian, who was in an offside position, headed home his 12^th goal since arriving at the end of January to the delight, and relief, of Craven Cottage. Shaking a clenched fist in celebration as he returned to the centre circle, Mitrovic's look of determination was matched by his teammates.

The PA system called on fans not to invade the pitch on the final whistle. They were smart enough to hold their horses. Things are far from over, but if luck goes their way this will be Fulham's final home game of the season, the next being in the Premier League. Over to Cardiff.