Fulham finally got over the line to win their first match under Alvaro Arbeloa, earning precious time for their under-pressure boss.
It had been mooted that Arbeloa would be axed if Fulham failed to beat Hull after six games without a win to open the season.
Yet despite the furore in the build-up, this was a team still playing for their manager. Fulham outclassed Hull, moved the ball quickly and created good chances throughout.
Their front four was fluid, with Josh King pulling the strings. But the pertinent question was never about their frontline. Yes, they have struggled to be clinical and kill games.
However, the real concern was their defence, which has dropped eight points from winning positions this season. There was no sign of that nervy team, though.
This was a disciplined Fulham display, refusing to give Hull a sniff. The visitors managed just seven touches in the Fulham penalty area.
The goal itself was comical and perhaps summed up Fulham’s toothlessness in attack. Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s lazy clearance fell to Oscar Bobb, who was challenged, but the ball travelled to Sander Berge, who spotted Alex Iwobi on the edge of the box and knocked it onto him.
Alex Iwobi scored a scruffy goal in the 33rd minute to alleviate the pressure on Alvaro Arbeloa
His first-time effort rifled into the bottom corner and underneath goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. Fulham’s trouble this season has been holding onto points, but this was a drastic improvement.
Not least because they got their first win of the season, but also because they limited Hull to five shots, all of which came outside the area. There was no sign of the spineless team that crumbled against Ipswich last week.
Arbeloa coached an exciting offensive display with strong defensive foundations. They must use this result as a springboard because they have demonstrated that they can hold their nerve.
