Aleksandar Mitrovic's 33 goals is a new Championship record - and he still has 14 games to play
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice to set a new Championship goalscoring record as leaders Fulham beat struggling Peterborough to go nine points clear.
The Serbian striker's double took him to 33 goals this season, eclipsing Ivan Toney's 31 for Brentford last campaign.
Mitrovic's first came via the penalty spot as he picked himself up after being fouled to send Steven Benda the wrong way.
The second was a beautifully-controlled volley with the side of his foot after a pinpoint cross from Neeskens Kebano, before Jack Marriott scored an 89th-minute consolation for second-bottom Posh.
Marriott's late strike made the game look closer than it was in a dominant Fulham display that extends their lead at the top of the table and leaves Posh eight points from safety.
Mitrovic had already been involved in a couple of early chances before his goal, heading wide before knocking the ball down for the arriving Harrison Reed who should have done better.
He was gifted the opportunity to open the scoring after being felled in the box by a clumsy Harrison Burrows challenge, before picking himself up to hammer the penalty home to break the record.
Benda was kept occupied throughout and he denied Reed early in the second half before being beaten again by Mitrovic after 62 minutes.
It came from a lovely flowing move, which saw Kebano's cross find Mitrovic whose first-time effort had too much for the Peterborough stopper.
Substitute Ivan Cavaleiro went close to a third and Mitrovic almost claimed a hat-trick with six minutes remaining but this time Benda saved well.
As the game reached its closing stages, Posh broke forward at speed and Marriott finished off the counter-attack in their first game since the departure of manager Darren Ferguson.
Former Hull manager Grant McCann was watching in the stands and is believed to be close to being appointed as Ferguson's replacement in the coming days.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsFulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Rodák20N Williams16Tosin13Ream33Robinson6Reed24Seri14De Cordova-Reid28Carvalho7Kebano9Mitrovic
- 1Rodák20N Williams16Tosin13Ream33Robinson6ReedSubstituted forWilsonat 63'minutes24Seri14De Cordova-ReidSubstituted forOnomahat 83'minutes28Carvalho7KebanoSubstituted forCavaleiroat 63'minutes9Mitrovic
Substitutes
- 2Tete3Hector8Wilson12Chalobah17Cavaleiro21Gazzaniga25Onomah
Peterborough
Formation 4-1-4-1
25Benda12Knight2Edwards6Kent16Burrows10Brown23Ward11Grant18Norburn7Szmodics9Clarke-Harris
- 25Benda12KnightBooked at 85mins2Edwards6Kent16Burrows10BrownSubstituted forMortonat 72'minutes23Ward11Grant18Norburn7SzmodicsSubstituted forJonesat 77'minutes9Clarke-HarrisSubstituted forMarriottat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 13Cornell14Marriott15Poku17Jones20Morton24Mumba42Fuchs
Referee:Jarred GillettAttendance:17,387Match StatsHome TeamFulhamAway TeamPeterboroughPossessionHome67%Away33%ShotsHome25Away6Shots on TargetHome11Away2CornersHome10Away4FoulsHome5Away6Live TextPost update
Match ends, Fulham 2, Peterborough United 1.
90'+5'Full Time
Second Half ends, Fulham 2, Peterborough United 1.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Jean Michaël Seri (Fulham).
90'+3'Post update
Jorge Grant (Peterborough United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
89'goalGoal!
Goal! Fulham 2, Peterborough United 1. Jack Marriott (Peterborough United) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum Morton following a fast break.
88'Post update
Attempt saved. Harry Wilson (Fulham) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jean Michaël Seri with a through ball.
85'Booking
Josh Knight (Peterborough United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
85'Post update
Antonee Robinson (Fulham) wins a free kick on the left wing.
85'Post update
Foul by Josh Knight (Peterborough United).
84'Post update
Foul by Tim Ream (Fulham).
84'Post update
Callum Morton (Peterborough United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'Post update
Attempt saved. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jean Michaël Seri with a through ball.
83'Substitution
Substitution, Fulham. Josh Onomah replaces Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
82'Post update
Attempt missed. Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Fabio Carvalho.
82'Post update
Attempt missed. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) right footed shot from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Harry Wilson.
81'Post update
Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Josh Knight.
79'Post update
Attempt missed. Callum Morton (Peterborough United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jack Marriott.
78'Post update
Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Steven Benda.
78'Post update
Attempt saved. Fabio Carvalho (Fulham) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
77'Substitution
Substitution, Peterborough United. Ricky-Jade Jones replaces Sammie Szmodics.
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Source: bbc.com