Jokanovic hails front pair as Fulham hammer Burton

Posted Sunday, January 21, 2018 by PA

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic hailed his strike pairing of Rui Fonte and Lucas Piazon as they sent a warning to the rest of the Sky Bet Championship with a 6-0 demolition of Burton.

Fonte, who had scored just one goal since arriving from Portuguese club Braga last summer, tripled his tally at Craven Cottage with two first-half efforts.

Meanwhile, Piazon, who scored one and set up another for Fonte on his 24th birthday, enjoyed his best game since returning from a horrific broken leg suffered at Leeds in August.

Jokanovic said: “Lucas played very well today. It’s great for his confidence after a long injury. He has been part of our improvement in the last few games.

“He scored a goal, he feels happy in himself and from finding some end product from his work. And he will get better in the future.

“It’s great news for Rui to score two goals today. We expect some games where we won’t find as much space behind the defensive line and Rui can help us with his movement. It’s great for his confidence. He is working well daily and trying to prove himself.

“It’s good to extend our good run. My team were focused and concentrated and played good football.

“It’s a great win, but we must keep going and be ready for the next game.”

Fonte opened the scoring after 18 minutes, side-footing home after Piazon unselfishly squared the ball. Two Ryan Fredericks crosses then allowed Piazon and Fonte to make it 3-0.

Ryan Sessegnon twice took advantage after Stefan Johansen shots had been blocked into his path and substitute Aboubakar Kamara completed the scoring two minutes from time.

The defeat sent Burton to the foot of the Championship, with manager Nigel Clough admitting his side must defend better if they are to maintain their status come May.

Clough said: “When you go 1-0 down early, the priority is not to get an equaliser, it’s not to concede again. We had 75 minutes to get a goal, so don’t concede the second goal and don’t concede the third.

“We were working our way into the game and the only difference between today and previous away games is that we didn’t make mistakes in those like we did today.

“Fulham are on a good run anyway and they picked us off after that. Three of the goals today came from blocks and deflections that fell to Fulham. If the ball had fallen to a yellow shirt, not a white one, we’d have only lost 3-0.

“It’s demoralising for the players, but the good thing is the game’s over and all that matters is the next 18 games, not this one.”

Clough sounded less than hopeful of bringing in new faces before the transfer window closes to replicate last season’s miraculous escape from relegation.

He added: “We’re trying to bring one or two players in, but we’ve been trying to do that for the last 20 days. With our resources it’s difficult to get players in.”