Fulham 3-1 Bournemouth: Rodrigo Muniz at the double for Marco Silva’s side

  • Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz grabbed a brace and an assist for Fulham
  • Bobby Decordova-Reid also scored while Marcos Senesi netted for the Cherries
  • Neal Maupay should be ashamed of his behavior…who will he face this weekend? Listen to the It’s all Kicking Off podcast

The marching band plays Gimme! Give me! Give me! outside Craven Cottage had to stop when the arrival of the Bournemouth team bus interrupted their tribute to ABBA. It didn’t take long for the visitors to discover that Marco Silva’s Fulham would not be silenced so easily.

This was an impressive performance from the Cottagers, enough to make you wonder where they have been hiding amid a mediocre run of results in the Premier League.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid was at his best, scoring within five minutes and then setting up the first of Rodrigo Muniz’s two goals. Willian was a tour de force on the left, supported by the indefatigable Antonee Robinson and combining beautifully with Tom Cairney.

Chelsea loanee Armando Broja made his home debut from the bench as Fulham recorded this win, their first home match against Bournemouth since April 1992 when they were in the third tier.

There is no shortage of evidence to suggest Bournemouth are improving under Andoni Iraola, but they are now winless in five Premier League games. There is work to be done there, with Newcastle and Manchester City next in line.

Fulham’s Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz ended his day with a well-taken second goal

The youngest's brace takes his goal tally to three in the Premier League this season, while Bobby Decordova-Reid also scored

The youngest’s brace takes his goal tally to three in the Premier League this season, while Bobby Decordova-Reid also scored

Bournemouth fought, but Fulham was mainly in charge as Andoni Iraola's team fell to their fifth consecutive defeat

Bournemouth fought, but Fulham was mainly in charge as Andoni Iraola’s team fell to their fifth consecutive defeat

Bournemouth had scored seven goals in the first five minutes of Premier League matches since the start of last season, more than anyone else. This time they were the ones left with that early sense of frustration as Fulham made it 1-0.

The move started when Tim Ream won the ball for Dominic Solanke, before making a quick breakthrough. Muniz’s pass from the right was intercepted by Lewis Cook, but a slip from the Bournemouth midfielder allowed De Cordova-Reid to bury the ball in the bottom corner.

Fulham should have increased their advantage long before they did. Neto denied Willian after a fine one-two with Cairney, before the Bournemouth goalkeeper was needed to save Illya Zabarnyi from the outrage of an own goal.

Luis Sinisterra forced Bernd Leno into a save after half an hour and only he knows how Solanke did not bury Bournemouth’s subsequent corner.

It was a nice routine as Lloyd Kelly used his body to block Fulham’s Robinson at the front post. Unable to clear the cross, Solanke came in behind Robinson, but the striker with thirteen Premier League goals finished.

Marco Silva's side have been in indifferent form so far this season but put in an impressive performance with a Craven Cottage

Marco Silva’s side have been in indifferent form so far this season but put in an impressive performance with a Craven Cottage

Marcos Senesi added a consolation for Bournemouth just after half-time

Marcos Senesi added a consolation for Bournemouth just after half-time

Dominic Solanke cut a frustrated figure as the in-form striker missed a golden opportunity earlier in the match

Dominic Solanke cut a frustrated figure as the in-form striker missed a golden opportunity earlier in the match

Instead, Fulham made it 2-0 before half-time when De Cordova-Reid headed the ball back into the six-yard box for Muniz to cross the ball home.

It became 2-1 in the 50th minute after a beautiful ball contact, turn and finish by Marcos Senesi. But Fulham hit back in the 52nd to make it 3-1, with Muniz tapping in Willian’s cross.

Bournemouth did their best to get back into the game – an acrobatic bicycle kick from Solanke landed over and Antoine Semenyo missed a chance that begged to be buried – but this was Fulham’s day.