SUPER WHITES REVEL IN THE JOY OF SIX
SIX goals without a shot on target in reply, unbeaten in their last six league games and a fifth straight Championship win at home.
Fulham are flying, but boss Slavisa Jokanovic is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
Burton arrived at Craven Cottage having won their last three away games, but left slumped to the foot of the table as their hosts ran rings around them.
Rui Fonte scored twice in the first half and was joined on the scoresheet by birthday boy Lucas Piazon, both scoring their first goals since August.
And after the break teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon twice poked home before Aboubakar Kamara added a late sixth.
Fulham are a point off a playoff place and now just eight off Derby in second, but Jokanovic isn’t getting carried away.
“We won the game because we respected them and my team was focused and concentrated and played very good football, especially in the first 45 minutes where we moved the ball well and created chances,” he said.
“The second half we more or less tried to control the situation and scored some more goals. It’s a great win and we must keep going and be ready for the games ahead.
“We are in the challenge and in the fight for an important position.
“I don’t mention play-offs but an important and high position in the Championship. We must now target the Barnsley game (next weekend) and try and push hard and do everything to win the points.
“The next chance in front of us is next weekend and I am not thinking about anything else as it’s so far right now.”
Burton’s formation indicated they were going to try to make it hard for Fulham, but the floodgates opened in the 17th minute as Oliver Norwood’s defencesplitting pass put Piazon through on goal and he unselfishly laid the ball off to Fonte to pass into an empty net.
The hosts continued to threaten and after Sessegnon stung Stephen Bywater’s palms Fulham doubled their lead on 34 minutes as Ryan Fredericks pass inside was left by Stefan Johansen for Piazon to celebrate turning 24 with his first goal since August 12.
And shortly afterwards it was 3-0 as this time Fredericks set up Fonte, the Portuguese striker seeing his initial header blocked before prodding home the ball.
It was more of the same after the break with Fulham adding a fourth on 72 minutes as another Fredericks cross caused chaos in and Sessegnon pounced after Johansen’s shot was blocked.
And the highly-rated teenager had two shortly afterwards, again finishing from close range after another Johansen effort had been blocked.
There was still time for two substitutes to climb off the bench and add a sixth, with another birthday boy Tom Cairney, turning 27, sending Aboubakar Kamara clear to lift the ball over Bywater.
“Anyone would have been beaten by Fulham the mood they were in,” said Burton boss Nigel Clough. “They got the first goal after 15 minutes and the gameplan went out the window and they pick you off after that.
“There was still a long way to go and when you go a goal down the aim is not to concede again.
“The only thing the lads are a bit aggrieved about is that three of their goals came from blocks that fall to them and when it’s your day, it’s your day.”