Fulham boss optimistic on play-off chances

Slavisa Jokanovic believes Fulham are in with a shout of a Championship play-off place after winning five of their last seven games.

The Whites saw off fellow challengers Preston 3-1 at Craven Cottage to maintain their bid for a top-six finish.

Jokanovic’s side remain seventh in the Championship and five points off Sheffield Wednesday in sixth, albeit with a game in hand.

The Fulham boss said: “In the last five games, we won 13 points and my team definitely played with confidence. We can be relatively satisfied we are around the top six.

“A gap exists between us and the top six teams but this is our target – we are pushing for the end of the season. We are still in position for fighting to play after the first week in May.”

Fulham went ahead midway through the first half courtesy of Sone Aluko and top scorer Chris Martin made it 2-0 with a 60th-minute strike on his return to the side.

Although Preston’s Tom Barkhuizen halved the deficit, the in-form Neeskens Kebalo struck a third Fulham goal to confirm their victory 12 minutes from time.

Jokanovic added: “When Preston scored a goal, they began to play more aggressively and we were in trouble for a few minutes but we found a solution.

“We played with character. We scored three and I believe we can score more.”

Fulham face fourth-placed Leeds United next at Craven Cottage on Tuesday.