Nigeria’s Ola Aina scored his first goal for Fulham on Monday as they chalked up their first English Premier League (EPL) win of the season and climbed out of the relegation zone.
First half goals from Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Aina helped the hosts to a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
The result lifted Fulham two places up to 17th on four points from seven games, while winless West Brom dropped one place to 18th on three points after yet another lacklustre performance.
Fulham dominated the opening half and ran out deserved winners at Craven Cottage, although the visitors nearly drew first blood in the second minute when Conor Townsend hit the woodwork with a cross-turned-shot from the left.
De-Cordova Reid gave Fulham a 26th-minute lead when he nodded the ball past goalkeeper Sam Johsntone from close range after Aleksandar Mitrovic headed an Antonee Robinson cross from the left across the face of goal.
Right back Aina, who is on loan at Fulham from Serie A side Torino, doubled the home side’s lead four minutes later with a spectacular goal.
This was after he unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner with his weaker left foot from 18 metres.
Fulham could have added a third in the 80th minute as the visitors twice cleared the ball off the line in quick succession while West Brom failed to trouble keeper Alphonse Areola at the other end.