Fulham 3 Preston 1
Neeskens Kebano netted his third goal in five games as Fulham strengthened their play-off challenge.
The Congolese forward set up Sone Aluko’s opener before Chris Martin made it 2-0 and, although Tom Barhuizen reduced the deficit, Kebano’s left-foot strike sealed Fulham’s win.
It was the Whites’ fifth success in their last seven Championship games and left them breathing down the necks of the top six ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with fellow challengers Leeds.
There were a couple of early scares for the home side, with Aiden McGeady unable to take advantage of a mistake by David Button, and Jordan Hugill heading over.
But Slavisa Jokanovic’s side went ahead midway through the first half after Kebano gave his marker the slip and cut the ball back for Aluko to slam first time into the bottom corner.
Fulham dominated from that point on, pressing the visitors inside their own half, and Ryan Sessegnon, Tomas Kalas and Kebano all forced saves from Chris Maxwell.
Full-back Ryan Fredericks created the Whites’ second goal on the hour mark with a bustling run across the field to release Martin, who slotted home from close range.
Preston appeared to be back in contention seven minutes later when McGeady’s pass split the Fulham defence and Barkhuizen ran through to beat Button.
But Kebano wrapped up the points 12 minutes from time, latching onto Aluko’s pass and firing across Maxwell to make it 3-1.
Fulham: Button; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon; McDonald, Johansen (Parker 80); Aluko (Odoi 88), Cairney, Kebano; Martin (Cyriac 84).
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Malone, Madl, Sigurdsson.
This post was last modified on 04/03/2017