Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice on Tuesday night to help Fulham defeat Preston North End 3-0 at Craven Cottage, confirming the club’s return to the premier league after only just relegating at the end of last season.

Fulham missed the chance to secure automatic promotion on Good Friday when they lost to relegated Derby County but knew that maximum points at home to Ryan Lowe’s men would seal the ticket.

It would not be a straightforward game considering that Preston started with a slim chance of making the playoffs. 

Still, Mitrovic opened the scoring early on with his 39th goal of the season before Fabio Carvalho made it two, and Mitrovic then scored his 40th league goal of the campaign.

Carvalho threatened to increase the tally in the second half while Mitrovic sought a fourth hat trick of the season to no avail. 

With 15 minutes left on the clock, the 27-year old Serb was taken off by Marco Silva to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Fulham leads the Championship table with 86 points from 42 games, nine points ahead of Bournemouth in second place, the league leaders having played a game more.