Fulham took control of their Europa League qualifying tie with a 3-0 win over FK Vetra in the first leg.
Cottagers take charge of Europa League qualifier
Fulham took control of their Europa League third qualifying round tie with a 3-0 victory over FK Vetra in the first leg.
Roy Hodgson may have been concerned about the fitness of his players ahead of the trip to Lithuania for their first competitive match of the season, but Bobby Zamora inspired a comfortable win.
Zamora, linked with a move away from Craven Cottage, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time before Danny Murphy made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 57th minute.
Seol Ki-hyeon then struck five minutes from time to give Fulham a three-goal cushion for the return leg next week.
Occasionally showing the strain of beginning their season in July, Fulham were loose in defence at times and lacked bite in midfield for the opening half hour.
The hot conditions did not help but, having settled, they comprehensively outplayed the Lithuanian club, who finished third in the A Lyga last season.
Fulham were reduced to panic stations in the fifth minute when Murphy had to clear off the line following poor marking at a corner.
Brede Hangeland, reportedly a transfer target for Arsenal and Tottenham, nodded a Murphy corner wide.
Promising
Vetra midfielder Robertas Vezevicius produced a promising attempt but Mark Schwarzer had time to gather.
Fulham should have taken the lead in the 26th minute when a well-worked move saw Murphy pick out Zamora who directed his shot straight at keeper Povilas Valincius.
Zoltan Gera flashed wide of the near post as the Cottagers butchered another chance but they finally took the lead a minute before half time.
The ball was fed to Zamora on the edge of the area and the former West Ham striker turned and shot in one movement to leave Valincius snatching at air.
Zamora was involved as Fulham extended their lead from the spot 12 minutes into the second half.
Left-back Paul Konchesky found Zamora in the box who had his shirt pulled by Jankauskas and Murphy made no mistake with the ensuing penalty.
Once again Zamora was the provider as Fulham put the result beyond doubt, setting up Seol who drilled the ball home.
