Has Fulham loanee Mitrovic had a dig at Newcastle manager Benitez?

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Aleksandar Mitrovic compares new team Fulham to what Newcastle were like under Rafa Benitez last season.

While several Championship matches were postponed at the weekend due to the weather, Fulham maintained their impressive form at Derby County.

First half goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ryan Sessegnon ensured the Cottagers left the iPro Stadium with all three points, despite Tom Huddlestone pulling one back after the break.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s men have now not lost in 13 matches in the second tier of English football, winning ten and drawing three to move up to fourth in the table.

Mitrovic has been a key part of that since joining on loan from Newcastle United on deadline day in the January transfer window, scoring three goals in six games to date.

The 23-year-old has now only played one match fewer for the West Londoners in a little over a month than he managed in the entire first half of the season for the Magpies.

And Mitrovic has seemed to aim a sly dig at his boss at St James’ Park, Rafa Benitez, when comparing the Spaniard and Newcastle to Jokanovic and his new adopted club.

“It’s a different style we play here,” the Serbia international was quoted by the Daily Mail.

“The players enjoy the football more than last season with Newcastle, where we knew how we wanted to play, we always played on the results – that’s it.

“This season, this team, we always try to score more goals than the opponent. Newcastle was more tactically [set up]. We didn’t play as much attacking football as we play now. Obviously, it worked because Newcastle were promoted last season. I hope we are promoted again with Fulham.

“Last season I really followed Fulham. They were the best team to watch in the Championship. We are continuing like this.”

While Mitrovic is finally enjoying his football again, having undergone a wretched run in black and white, the comments will not be welcomed by the Newcastle manager, who will point to the fact that his team are playing Premier League football this season, while the Cottagers remain in the second tier of English football.