Fulham v Aston Villa: play-off final player ratings
Fulham are back in the Premier League. Tom Cairney’s goal at Wembley gave them victory in the play-off final, taking them into the top flight after a four-year absence. Here’s how we rated each Whites player in the win against Aston Villa.
Marcus Bettinelli: 6
Produced a fine save to deny Jack Grealish at 1-0 up in the second half.
Ryan Fredericks: 7
Attacking threat often forced Grealish to defend and abandon his attacking instincts.
Tim Ream: 6
A calm presence in a defence that was under consistent pressure throughout the second half.
Denis Odoi: 5
Produced a potentially-crucial block from Lewis Grabban’s close-range shot but was sent off following a second yellow, which invited pressure.
Matt Targett: 6
Unusually offered little going forward, largely because of Villa’s second-half response.
Kevin McDonald: 7
Midfielder provided the discipline his team required as they sought to stretch Villa.
Stefan Johansen: 6
Wasted a fine chance to put Fulham 2-0 up, settle their nerves and arrest Villa’s momentum. But overall he did well in midfield.
Tom Cairney: 8
His composed finish gave his team the lead they deserved and provided the platform for victory.
Aboubakar Kamara: 8
Came close to scoring, at 0-0, with a promising chance he created for himself, and was unfortunate not to be rewarded with a goal.
Ryan Sessegnon: 8
Again demonstrated his potential and vision with the superb through-ball that created Cairney’s goal.
Aleksandar Mitrovic: 7
Did well to hold the ball up against an experienced defence, and drew the challenge from which James Chester was booked.
Oliver Norwood: 8
Brilliant, late challenge denied Conor Hourihane from a dangerous position. Tomas Kalas and Cyrus Christie also did well defensively when they later came on as as substitutes too.