Harrison Reed smashes home the opening goal for Fulham last night (Picture: Getty Images)
Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard was sacked last night after his Aston Villa side were beaten 3-0 at Fulham.
A brief statement from the club read: ‘Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that Head Coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect.’
A club spokesman said: “We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.”
The move came hours after a superb strike from Harrison Reed, a penalty from Aleksandar Mitrovic and an own goal from Tyrone Mings sent the Cottagers into the Premier League’s top half.
It could have been a proper thrashing for Villa too had it not been for the excellence of their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while a night of misery was compounded by Douglas Luiz being sent off after aiming a headbutt towards Mitrovic.
With Villa all at sea early on, Martinez saved Willian’s low shot with his legs. And from an Andreas Pereira corner, Mitrovic heaed towards goal, with Mings doing really well to clear off the line.
Pereira’s curling free-kick was well saved by Martinez, as Villa continued to live dangerously.
Steven Gerrard is under mounting pressure (Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
It was no surprise when Fulham scored after 36 minutes. Martinez punched clear a corner, and Reed picked the ball up before whipping a delightful shot low into the net. Martinez then saved a near-post effort from Neeskens Kebano.
After the break it got worse for ailing Villa. Luiz received his marching orders, although it wasn’t the hardest of headbutts by any means.
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Soon after, Matty Cash was adjudged to have handled inside the home box and a penalty awarded. Mitrovic converted from the spot.
And late on, the hosts scored again when Kebano crossed low and Mings deflected into his own net.
Frustrated Villa fans chanted ‘We want Gerrard out’, and got their wish a few hours later.
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