Mitrovic sits out amid Saudi interest, West Ham may fear the worst over Palhinha and Philly enjoys ANOTHER goal-fest: THINGS WE LEARNED as Fulham beat Brentford 3-2

Fulham were 3-2 victors over West London rivals Brentford in the second match of the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.

Our man CRAIG HOPE was at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to bring you his five talking points…

SILVA STAYS…

Marco Silva created unnecessary headlines on Saturday when he refused to answer Mail Sport’s question on whether he had rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia. Given the temptation of £40million over two seasons, it left the impression of him perhaps paving the way for his exit. Not so. Silva has told Al-Ahli that he intends to stay at Craven Cottage and was moved to clarify his position here.

‘My commitment to this club has been 100 per cent since the first day I signed, and it will continue this way,’ he said. ‘Offers are part of the business. I’ve had two great years at Fulham. It’s up to us to respect the club where we are working, which is what I’ve always done in my career. I made a decision, spoke to the club and, like before, I am fully committed to the club.’

If only he’d said that 24 hours earlier…

Marco Silva confirmed he will remain Fulham’s manager despite an offer from Saudi Arabia

MITRO GOES?

Aleksandar Mitrovic was here but, because of his wish to move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, he did not play. In fact, he has not even been training with his team-mates, and that is much to the frustration of Silva. He was diplomatic when pressed on the subject on Saturday, but did not hide his angst following this game.

‘A player that is not training with his team-mates is not going to play,’ he said. ‘If he trains, he will play.

‘Of course I would like him to train. He’s my player. I want him participating in all of the moments with the team.’

Why is he not training?

‘You’ll have to ask him.’

Ouch.

Aleksandar Mitrovic sat out the contest amid his wish to move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal

HAMMER BLOW?

Fulham’s Joao Palhinha was the subject of a £45m offer from West Ham last week, which was duly rejected. It’s easy to see why rivals are so sweet on the midfielder, who played at centre-back here.

The Portugal international had strolled through 45 minutes, picking passes in behind the Brentford defence at ease, when he was left in a heap clutching his shoulder. The length of the treatment told you it was serious and, with his arm in a makeshift sling, he was forced back to the locker room.

Silva confirmed Palhinha has dislocated his shoulder and that the injury ‘did not look good’. He will be sent for a scan on Monday.

That could well have a knock-on effect on West Ham’s summer recruitment plans, should the layoff extend beyond the start of the season. For as composed as Palhinha looked, however, is spending half of the Declan Rice money on a 28-year-old, who has spent only one season in the Premier League, really that smart an investment?

Joao Palhinha suffered a dislocated shoulder and is set to undergo further testing on Monday

SUMMER SERIES IS SIZZLING…

Maybe Premier League teams have been told that, to appeal to an American audience, there can be no goalless ties in this inaugural competition. It has been like watching basketball at times. On the back of Chelsea’s 4-3 victory over Brighton on Saturday night, here were another five goals.

All four sides we have seen so far have been wonderfully devoted to attacking football, and they should earn extra praise for that endeavour given temperatures of 30C.

There was even a nod to ice-hockey in the second half when Fulham’s Harrison Reed sparked a mass melee – we’ll stop short of ‘brawl’ – involving all 22 players and substitutes. You can’t fault their commitment to entertainment.

WIL POWER…

No Mitrovic. No matter. The Serbian’s team-mates scored three blinding goals in his absence, and the sight of striker Carlos Vinícius prodding the decisive third will be of encouragement to Silva.

It was a lovely, instinctive finish, the Brazilian taking Harry Wilson’s ball over the top and poking early into the bottom corner with the outside of his left boot.

But it wasn’t Fulham’s best goal, that prize belonged to Wilson, who dropped a delicious curler into the top corner from 25 yards after only three minutes. Their second goal wasn’t too shabby either, Bobby Decordova-Reid darting in from the left and threading inside the post with a low drive from 20 yards. Maybe it is that goals reside in this team without the need for Mitrovic.