Fulham’s final pre-season friendly of the 2010/11 campaign certainly got off to a high tempo start with both sides eager to show their attacking prowess from the opening whistle. They were aided by the slick surface of Craven Cottage’s newly-laid pitch.

An early strike from Claudio Pizarro tested Mark Schwarzer’s handling abilities as he collected the ball low to his left. The Australian international was called into action again in the 7th minute when Pizarro’s deep cross was met at the far post by Portugal international, Hugo Almeida. Schwarzer reacted well to parry the forceful effort to safety.

The visitors took the lead minutes later when another deep cross, this time from the left wing, found Pizarro at the back post, who had the simple task of volleying past Schwarzer from close range.

A timely clearance from John Pantsil on 21 minutes helped resolve a dangerous situation after Clemens Fritz was able to find space on the right flank. Then the post came to Fulham’s rescue two minutes later to deny what looked like a certain goal for Thomas Schaaf’s men. Almeida was played clean through and chipped the ball over the rapidly advancing Schwarzer only to see the ball strike the upright.

The visitors were clearly enjoying great success with deep deliveries to the far post where they were often able to create dangerous attacking situations.

Fulham’s first notable chance of the game came on 33 minutes when Bobby Zamora was played into space on the left side of the Werder penalty area – his shot narrowly missed the far post, with Simon Davies also sliding in hoping to make contact.

The Whites made a bright start to the second-half. Damien Duff crossed right footed for Simon Davies to head just wide at Tim Wiese’s near post.

Fulham were back on level terms on 52 minutes when Clint Dempsey flicked a neat pass with the outside of his foot into the path of Bobby Zamora. The Fulham striker had time to check the Assistant Referee’s flag before calmly side footing the ball past Wiese.

The Whites were certainly performing to a higher level in the second-half, putting Werder well on the back foot.

Clint Dempsey was replaced by Zoltan Gera on 61 minutes as Mark Hughes made his first change of the match. The Hungarian international joined Zamora up front as the Whites pushed for the winning goal.

Hughes swapped both full-backs moments later with Freddie Stoor and Stephen Kelly coming on for John Pantsil and Paul Konchesky.

Gera put the Whites in front with a spectacular strike on 65 minutes. Fulham’s Player of the Season for 09/10 collected the ball with his back to the defence before gliding across the pitch and hitting an unstoppable left-footed shot past Wiese.

Zamora and Gera combined in the 71st minute to further extend Fulham’s lead. Zamora found space on the right flank and his cross found Gera unmarked in the area. The Hungarian international placed a firm header beyond the reach of Wiese. He completed his hat-trick five minutes later after Wiese came out of his area in an attempt to dispossess Zamora. The keeper did just that but the ball rolled into the path of Gera who, from 30 yards, side-footed the ball into an unguarded net.

Eddie Johnson rounded off the scoring on 86 minutes after Gera’s first touch pass found the American in space – Johnson applied a routine finish from 10 yards.