Hull City 0-1 Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic's 31st Championship goal of the season gives leaders victory

Aleksandar MitrovicImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Aleksandar Mitrovic has equalled the record for most league goals scored in a Championship season since the league rebranded in 2004

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 31st league goal of the season as Championship leaders Fulham strengthened their grip on top spot with a narrow win at Hull City.

The away side had the better of the play in the first half but it was the hosts who should have taken the lead when Marcus Forss slotted the ball wide after getting in on goal following a mix-up in the Whites defence.

Mitrovic headed home a cross from Liverpool loanee Neco Williams to put Marco Silva's men in front.

Hull stayed in it but never really looked like getting an equaliser and they have now lost three in a row.

Fulham are 11 points clear of third-placed Blackburn, who travel to West Brom on Monday.

The division's leading goalscorers were not at their fluent best in poor weather but did enough to claim another three points, their sixth win in their past seven league games.

Shota Arveladze has lost three of his four games in charge of the Tigers since replacing Grant McCann but they are 12 points clear of relegation danger and seem unlikely to get dragged into a battle at the bottom given the dreadful form of the teams below them.

Fulham are back in action next Saturday with a home game against in-form Huddersfield, while the Tigers will look to get back on track at Sheffield United on Tuesday.

Hull boss Shota Arveladze:

"If we would have got a point I believe everyone in the ground would have said that we deserved it.

"They are the best team in the league. We tried to stop them and to defend as a team and attack as a team, which left me very happy.

"I'm proud of the boys and I have to give them a lot of credit. The fans have seen a good football game when both teams tried to play nice, attractive football.

"There's a lot to take from this performance."

Fulham boss Marco Silva:

"We started really well and we pushed them back straight away - which was really important.

"I think we controlled most of the situations in the game. But after the first 15 minutes, the game became much more balanced.

"We changed some details at half-time, and then in the second half we started well again.

"We kept good aggression and that was one of the big things to see. I am really happy for the team.

"I'm really pleased for the players and the fans. It was a big win."

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