Mark Hughes elected to field a strong side for the visit of Peterborough United – making no changes from the starting eleven that beat West Brom at Craven Cottage on Tuesday evening.

Gary Johnson’s men got off to a flying start, forcing David Stockdale into making two crucial saves in an early onslaught which saw Peterborough win five corners within the first five minutes.

Simon Davies, eager to get on the score sheet against his former side, saw a powerful drive from 25 yards just sail wide of Joe Lewis’ left hand post as Fulham took the initiative following a slow start.

Following the excitement of the early exchanges, the number of chances reduced significantly. Peterborough, to their credit, maintained their high tempo game ensuring that Fulham would have to work hard to find a way through their back line. Simon Davies again came close to finding an opening when, on 25 minutes, he was able to cut back on to his right foot inside the Posh penalty area to send a curling effort just beyond the top corner.

Peterborough’s back line regularly needed to demonstrate a high degree of composure as Fulham often looked to thread delicate passes through the masses ranks of Posh defenders on the edge of the area.

Fulham took the lead on 32 minutes when Diomansy Kamara was able to head Chris Baird’s pinpoint cross past Joe Lewis from four yards.

The goal shifted the balance of the game further in the Whites’ favour and Mark Hughes’ men almost netted the second when Kamara’s reverse pass cut through the Peterborough defence, putting Damien Duff clean though on goal. The winger managed to place his finish past Lewis but also wide of the post.

Dickson Etuhu rounded off the scoring in the first-half, finishing off a fine move from the Whites. Danny Murphy’s diagonal cross-field pass found the run of Duff who squared a dangerous pass into the area. The ball was cleared only as far as Etuhu on the edge of the area, who thundered a drive into the net. 

Mark Hughes made an early substitution on 45 minutes, introducing Zoltan Gera in place of Simon Davies in a like-for-like swap.

Much as they did in the first-half, Peterborough got off to a good start, winning a number of early corners. John Pantsil had to be alert to acrobatically clear off the goal line after David Stockdale misjudged the flight of a delivery into the box on 47 minutes.

But Fulham soon gained control of proceedings and Joe Lewis had to produce an excellent one-handed parry to keep out Gera’s stinging drive. The Peterborough goal continued to lead a charmed life when somehow Damien Duff’s shot struck the inside of the near post, rolled across the face of goal before going out for a goal kick.

Fulham extended their lead on 58 minutes when Danny Murphy’s intelligent through ball found the run of Diomansy Kamara down the inside left channel. Kamara made no mistake, rolling the ball past Lewis. Jonathan Greening replaced Clint Dempsey soon after the third.

Fulham made it four on 65 minutes when Zoltan Gera rose highest at the back post to head Damien Duff’s corner past Lewis. It was another good goal for the Whites who were in full attacking flow. Danny Murphy was at his influential best in the centre of the park, displaying an accomplished range of passing. 

Lee Tomlin netted a consolation for Peterborough on 71 minutes finishing well past Stockdale before Diomansy Kamara completed his hat-trick on 76 minutes. Kamara started and finished the move, playing an audition cross-field pass to Jonathan Greening, who managed to beat his man to lay the final pass on for Kamara.

Grant McCann netted a late consolation for Peterborough from the penalty spot when Criag Mackail-Smith was brought down in the area by Rafik Halliche, who had replaced Brede Hangeland.

Jonathan Greening rounded off the scoring in the 88th minute after he demonstrated good strength to hold off his marker and clip the ball past Lewis.

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