Millwall manager Neil Harris had said in the build-up to this match that Fulham were the best side in the Championship - and on this evidence he might be right.
Fulham made it three wins from three with victory over Millwall as Ivan Cavaliero scored twice and Aleksandar Mitrovic and Anthony Knockaert also found the net in what was a complete performance.
Summer signings Cavaliero and Knockaert started the scoring during a dominant first-half at Craven Cottage in which Scott Parker’s side enjoyed 89 per cent of the possession.
The second-half proved to be more of the same with Mitrovic hammering home a penalty and Cavaliero getting his second of the night.
In Fulham’s last game against Huddersfield, Cavaleiro had been the hero when he scored a brilliant winner 10 minutes from full-time.
And the winger picked up where he left off by scoring another sumptuous strike, cutting in from the left and smashing the ball past Millwall goalkeeper Bartosz Białkowski.
It was no more than the hosts deserved after they had dominated possession in the first 15 minutes and gone close through Mitrovic’s header.
Now all Fulham wanted was a second goal to show for their efforts and they duly got it in the 32nd minute as Cavaleiro turned provider when he crossed the ball for Knockaert to head home.
Millwall were on the ropes and the half-time whistle was a welcome reprieve for them after an opening 45 minutes where they had just 11 per cent possession.
After the break Fulham refused to take their foot off the gas, though, and within 18 minutes they had scored two more.
Read More
First Mitrovic won and scored a penalty, before Cavaliero got his second of the night by controlling Tom Cairney’s brilliant dinked through-ball and rounding Białkowski to finish.
The goals completed a dream derby for Fulham, who lost all 10 of their clashes against London opponents last season.
Millwall, on the other hand, had little to show for their efforts and their night was summed up when Tom Bradshaw’s 82nd minute header was ruled out for offside
