Fulham crushed Preston to seal their Premier League return as Aleksandar Mitrovic’s double took his season’s tally to 40 goals.
The Serbian striker netted twice in the first half, sandwiching an eye-catching strike by teenager Fabio Carvalho.
Mitrovic was denied a hat-trick by Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen – but it made no difference to the outcome as victory confirmed promotion for Marco Silva’s side.
Fulham could effectively secure the title as early as Saturday if they win at second-placed Bournemouth.
The Cottagers might have fallen behind early on, with Marek Rodak called into action to thwart Ched Evans and then tip Ben Whiteman’s long-range drive over the bar.
But any hint of nerves swiftly evaporated in the ninth minute as Joe Bryan won possession and burst down the left flank to set up Mitrovic, who slid the ball through Iversen’s legs.
Carvalho and Harrison Reed went close to extending the lead as the home side seized control, repeatedly slicing through Preston’s defense.
It was Carvalho who did eventually grab Fulham’s second in the 34th minute, rifling home on his left foot after Neeskens Kebano’s cross had deflected perfectly into his path.
Mitrovic made it 3-0 just before half-time, reaching the 40-goal mark after another incisive break along the left, with Harry Wilson providing the assist.
North End nearly reduced the deficit early in the second half as Rodak produced another fingertip save to foil Cameron Archer, palming his attempt on to the woodwork.
But there was to be no dramatic Preston comeback – nor a third goal for Mitrovic, who had two more attempts kept out by Iversen and was eventually substituted with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Although Neco Williams’ effort from a distance whistled just over, Fulham had to be content with the three goals – and the win that wrapped up their third promotion in five years.
Line-ups
Fulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- oneRodák
- twentyN Williams
- 16Cough
- 13Ream
- 23Bryan
- 10CairneyBooked at 20mins
- 6ReedSubstituted forseriesat 70′minutes
- 8Wilson
- 28CarvalhoSubstituted forDe Cordova-Reidat 75′minutes
- 7kabano
- 9MitrovićSubstituted forMuniz Carvalhoat 77′minutes
substitutes
- 3Hector
- 12Chalobah
- 14De Cordova-Reid
- 19Muniz Carvalho
- twenty-oneGazzaniga
- 24series
- 33Robinson
Preston
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 12Iversen
- twovan den Berg
- 6Lindsay
- 16Hughes
- 4WhitemanBooked at 45mins
- 44PottsSubstituted forSinclairat 69′minutes
- 13McCann
- elevenJohnson
- 32EarlSubstituted forDevilat Four. Five’minutes
- 9EvansSubstituted forMaguireat 25′minutes
- twenty-oneArchers
substitutes
- 3Cunningham
- fifteenRafferty
- 23Huntington
- 24Maguire
- 28Hudson
- 31Sinclair
- 41Devil
LiveText
-
Match ends, Fulham 3, Preston North End 0.
-
Second Half ends, Fulham 3, Preston North End 0.
-
Attempt missed. Harry Wilson (Fulham) left footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Tom Cairney.
-
Attempt blocked. Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham) right footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tom Cairney.
-
Foul by Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham).
-
Benjamin Whiteman (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul by Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham).
-
Bambo Diaby (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Jean Michael Seri (Fulham).
-
Bambo Diaby (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul by Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham).
-
Benjamin Whiteman (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Bambo Diaby (Preston North End).
-
Marek Rodák (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Liam Lindsay (Preston North End).
-
Corner, Preston North End. Granted by Rodrigo Muniz.
-
Attempt blocked. Sean Maguire (Preston North End) header from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Hughes with a cross.
-
Corner, Preston North End. Grant by Joe Bryan.
-
Foul by Joe Bryan (Fulham).
Reference-www.bbc.co.uk