Check out the lady at 1.30 to see what sheer unbridled joy at Fulham’s promotion looks like

Fulham 3 : 0 Preston North End

They warned against a pitch invasion. It didn’t matter. When they won, the Fulham fans were on the pitch. And what a celebration of joy it was.

Young men, old men, a significant number of young women and their elders danced with abandon to show what this club means to them.

The toxic masculinity common at such events was notably absent. This was less triumphalism than relief. If only England were followed by these people, the world would be a better place.

Fulham put the match beyond doubt in the first half with three goals but not after the Lancastrians gave them an early scare. Marek Rodak made a crucial early save while grounded but soon the home side had settled nerves with an Aleksander Mitrovic opener.

By half time, it was over.

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“There was also much gratitude and love for manager Marco Silva who has made Fulham fun to watch again. The playing style is passing but not obsessively so as it was under Parker.”

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In between Mitrovic’s second goal, Fabio Carvalho prodded home an excellent through ball from Neeskens Kebano, bizarrely created by a deft angled Mitrovic header in an unusualt attacking midfielder role.

Fulham have been comfortably the best side in what may be one of thre worst second tiers in memory. There is a level of mediocrity below them which suggests even  Nowrwich can anticipate an early return to the Premier League 12 month from now. Norwich? Maybe even Watford.

Fulham fans are not by nature optimists and few believe that the XI heroes who put the icing on the promotion cake can survive in the choppier waters of the top tier. Many of those players had the opportunity two years ago and were found wanting.

However, there is some cause to believe that several of the current squad are better players under Marco Silva than they were under Scott Parker.

Exhibit A would be Neeskens Kebano, a talented left-winger, who Parker inexplicably played on the right on several occasions, where he was clearly less effective. Kebano may have to add new tricks to his ‘box of magic tricks, once increased tv coverage exposes his current range but he may have the ability and intelligence to keep improving and learning.

No one can argue with Aleksander Mitrovic’s numbers but there are still visible flaws in his game such as the persistent haranguing of officials. This is especially irritating because he continues to do so while the game is going on and his colleagues need his participation. His repeated claiming of unmerited penalties and free kicks irks referees and he will be shown yellow cards far sooner for this in the Premier League where he is a relative nobody playing for one of the less protected sides.

Fulham will need support for him too as there is currently no one to replace Mitrovic when he is injured and no one to even push him for his place. The going will be tougher for him next season and his current level of commitment will be insufficient against better quality opponents and with far fewer goal scoring opportunities.

More concerning is the recent development in the otherwise excellent Harry Wilson’s game.

Wilson has begun copying Mitrovic in being a habitual referee botherer and also losing his footing far too readily, often staying grounded as the game continues. He needs to eradicate it from his game and focus on his football. If he does, he could be a star in the Premier League and maybe even the World Cup should Wales qualify.

Who might Marco Silva target to fill his EPL squad?

The feverish debate however does surround Harrison Reed, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kenny Tete and Marek Rodak’s goalkeeping slot. Many fans do believe they can rise to the Premier League challenge, especially Reed who has had an outstanding season.

However none of those debates mattered as Fulham fans and players celebrated their third promotion in five years.

Tim Ream, Tom Cairney and Joe Bryan are all club legends with over 520 Fulham appearances between them. The reaction to them after full time was a microcosm of the gratitude and love Cottagers fans feel towards these players.

There was also much gratitude and love for manager Marco Silva who has made Fulham fun to watch again. The playing style is passing but not obsessively so as it was under Parker.

If the amount of champagne you are sploshed in is any indication, he is a very popular coach indeed!

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