Yes, what a start to our 2012/2013 campaign!
On the hottest day of the year, a very uncomfortable, sweltering day beside the river Thames, Fulham dismantled Norwich with a very emphatic display.
Although the hot temperature ensured it was a cagey start with both teams looking to keep possession and let the ball do the work in the heat, there was never any looking back once Fulham took the lead.
Twenty-six minutes had passed when a through ball from Riise saw Duff presented with the opportunity to score and the Irishman didn`t need asking twice.
Fifteen minutes later, with forty-one minutes on the clock, Duff became the provider when his excellent corner was headed home by Petric for a goal on his Premier League debut.
Norwich protested that the ball hadn`t crossed the line but they really had no case to answer.
The excellent display continued in the second half when with fifty-four minutes gone, Petric got his second of the game. Trying his luck from all of thirty-five yards out his shot took a deflection off of Turner and found the top corner.
The traveling Norwich army knew they were beaten now the noise they`d made in the first half began to ebb away. With sixty-six minutes gone, the lead was stretched to four when Dembele found Petric and a great back-heel allowed Kacaniklic to score his first goal for Fulham.
But the rout wasn`t over, with three minutes of normal time left, Turner fouled Rodallega, who had come on as a substitute and Sidwell smashed the resulting spot kick home for his 50th goal in English football.
As Michael Oliver blew the final whistle it was Martin Jol and not Chris Hughton who had the biggest smile on their faces.
Next stop Old Trafford next weekend but before then, I feel a celebratory trip to the pub coming on!
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