Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Ola Aina’s first-half goals saw Fulham claim their first three points of the Premier League campaign under the Cottage lights.
In a quick-fire few minutes, De Cordova-Reid’s header was complimented by Aina’s rocket of a strike to lift us out of the bottom three.
There was a surprise addition to the starting line-up as Joachim Andersen made his debut, coming in for Tim Ream at the back. De Cordova-Reid also came in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a double switch from the Crystal Palace match prior.
Barely two minutes had gone before the first warning sign came for Fulham. From the left, Conor Townsend sent a hopeful ball into the area which looped awkwardly over Alphonse Areola and cannoned off the crossbar to avoid a freak start.
Two minutes later and it was Fulham’s turn to attack with a couple of chances in rapid succession. First, Ola Aina’s venomous cross was nicked away from Tom Cairney on the six-yard box, before a recycled ball found De Cordova-Reid, who couldn’t get any power on Mario Lemina’s ball across.
Scott Parker’s side continued to push forward with a trademark Ademola Lookman run next. A few stepovers and shimmies bought the winger a yard to take him the byline, but his cross was cut out before a man in white could tap it home.
Lookman had his man on toast down the left and got the better of him again soon after, cutting inside and bending a shot into the opposite corner, but it was slightly off the mark on this occasion.
Fulham continued to pressure the Baggies and got their reward in the 26th minute in a lovely flowing move. Frank Anguissa glided like a Rolls Royce through the middle, evading a couple of challenges before eventually getting it to Antonee Robinson on the left. His floated ball was perfect for Aleksandar Mitrović, who unselfishly teed up De Cordova-Reid to head home for the opener.
Four minutes later and we doubled the advantage with an absolute rocket. Again, there was some picture-perfect football in the build-up this time coming down the right before Ola Aina picked it up on the edge of the box and sent one first class into the top-left corner.
Chances were few and far between for West Brom as Fulham controlled proceedings, but in the 37th minute they did muster an effort on goal. Karlan Grant raced through the middle after some loose play but could only fire well over under pressure from Andersen.
The visitors grew into the contest slightly towards the end of the half, but this forward pressure left them vulnerable to the counter, which Cairney preyed upon. After nicking the ball high on the right, the captain carried it forward before squaring to Anguissa, but his shot didn’t do enough to beat Sam Johnstone in the West Brom goal.
Harrison Reed entered the field for the second half in place of Lemina, as Parker was sure to steady the ship and hold the lead.
The game was getting tasty now with a couple of meaty challenges warranting bookings as both sides knew what was at stake in this all-important clash.
On the 75th minute Baggies substitute, Callum Robinson thought he spotted Areola off his line on the counter-attack and tried to catch him off-guard, but it was dragged rather than lofted and was a let-off where there could’ve been danger.
Moments later and West Brom attacked again. After a mistake at the back Slaven Bilic’s side tried to capitalise, but the ever-present Tosin Adarabioyo was there to sweep up the threat.
Fulham were hungry to kill the contest with a third and carried on charging at the West Brom defence, and the 80th minute almost got their craving. A slicing ball through the middle caused problems for ‘keeper Johnson who found himself in no-mans land outside of his box. With an empty net Cairney then took his shot, requiring a crucial goal-line clearance from Townsend. De Cordova-Reid followed up with the rebound, but Semi Ajayi replicated his defensive partner and blocked the effort.
In the end it was a professional display from Parker’s Fulham to take us out of the bottom three in the Premier League.