Fulham boss Marco Silva praised Aleksandar Mitrovic as “much more” than a goalscorer after the 27-year-old inspired the Cottagers to victory over Brighton.
Mitrovic pounced for his 100th goal for the club and fifth goal in five league games this season, arriving at the back post just after half-time to fire Neeskens Kebano’s low cross beyond Robert Sanchez.
“It’s important for him to feel confident and he needs that but he is much more than that,” Silva told BT Sport, calling Mitrovic “unbelievable”.
“We demand it from him but he did it really well.”
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk diverted Andreas Pereira’s cross past Sanchez as Fulham doubled their lead and made a drab first period seem a distant memory within 11 minutes of the second half starting.
Alexis Mac Allister converted a penalty in reply after Bobby Decordova-Reid brought down Pervis Estupinan, and Deniz Undav was denied his first goal for Brighton when his late strike came off a post.
Fourth-placed Brighton missed the chance to move top of the table before leaders Arsenal host Aston Villa on Wednesday, while victory lifted Fulham up to sixth and gave the Cottagers as many home wins as they managed in their 2020-21 Premier League relegation season.