Fulham have a chance to set new Premier League points record – but in-form Crystal Palace pose next challenge

Fulham need to win one of their two remaining matches to set a new club record for their most Premier League points – with Crystal Palace their next opposition at Craven Cottage next weekend.

The Whites’ 2-0 victory at Southampton yesterday ensured the hosts lost their top-flight status.

Marco Silva’s side made it 15 wins in the league – their most since the top tier was rebranded to the Premier League – and one more than the 2008-09 campaign when then boss Roy Hodgson clinched Europa League football.

Carlos Vinicius put Fulham ahead early in the second half on the South Coast before Aleksandar Mitrovic, in his first game back since a lengthy ban, headed home Harry Wilson’s cross.

Silva told BBC Match of the Day: “It was a very good performance, all the game we were the best team on the pitch – we started really well, running the game from the first minute, pushing them back.

“It was a very good feeling to see Carlos scoring again, improving and more confident and a great feeling to have Mitro back – we have missed him, he is a really important piece in our squad.

“He’s been important for me since I arrived at this football club – I think in 69 games under me, he has scored 55 goals, the numbers are really impressive. It was nice to see him back and score a goal.

“It’s been a tough period for him, but he has been a very good professional – now I want him to forget completely what has happened, to learn from the moment and do what he is able to do very well, that is score goals.

“It has been a brilliant season – at the start of the season everyone said we were among the favourites to go down and we are now here, in my opinion, where this club belongs.

“It has been hard work from all of us but the season has not finished yet, we want more – our targets are there and the players want to fight for the six points that are ahead of us.”