Fulham produced a stunning performance to dispatch Nottingham Forest 5-0 at Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening as first half goals from Alex Iwobi and Raúl Jiménez put the Cottagers in firm control of the game to seal all three points.
A gorgeous Raúl backheel made it three before Iwobi also claimed a brace with a composed finish and there was still time for Captain Tom Cairney to cap his 299th appearance for the Whites with number five, which he celebrated in style with his adoring public behind the goal.
Nigerian descent Tosin started in defense line following his return to fitness, Marco Silva was able to name his preferred centre-back pairing of a right and left footer in Calvin Bassey for the first time since the Sheffield United victory two months earlier, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The deadlock was broken after some minutes of play when Calvin Bassey stepped up midway inside his own half to intercept a loose pass, before driving forward and feeding Cairney.
He turned smartly and fed Willian to his left, who bent a sumptuous cross in towards the far post where Iwobi had lurked unmarked to slot beyond Vlachodimos.
Raúl also played a key part in that goal, with his movement dragging the attention away from Iwobi, and he added his own name to the scoresheet moments later when he timed his run to perfection to get on the end of Andreas’ cute through pass, then slamming an unstoppable strike into the postage stamp of the net.
Iwobi almost put the cherry on the top of a brilliant half of football when he spun on the edge of the box and sent a swirler towards the top corner, missing it by mere inches.
It had been a practically perfect performance from Fulham, and three soon became four. Harry Wilson – not long off the bench – needed just two touches, one to bring the ball into the box and the next to cut back to Iwobi who slammed home emphatically.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola