It’s appropriate that as our thoughts turn towards this Saturday’s trip to the Emirates the reserves put in a sparkling performance to beat their Arsenal counterparts at Motspur Park tonight.

There was plenty to interest the watching Roy Hodgson, who saw the likes of Diomansy Kamara and Giles Barnes take some crucial steps on the road to regaining match fitness. Kamara got through 80 minutes whilst Barnes, who has yet to feature for the first team since joining from Derby on loan, played the whole game.

The Whites shaded a fairly even first half and made their quality count in the second half. Adam Watts fired in from close range after a goalmouth scramble to give Fulham the lead before a lovely left-wing move saw Kamara double Fulham’s lead. Julian Gray delivered an inviting cross which Kamara had no hesitation in converting.

Barnes himself added a delightful third when he chipped a stranded Arsenal ‘keeper after outjumping his man to win the ball just before the hour mark.

The victory takes Fulham into second place in the reserves’ league as the boys took Fulham advantage of Chelsea’s defeat at Stoke. This Arsenal blog was generous in their praise of the Fulham side.

FULHAM RESERVES: Stockdale; Omozusi, Briggs, Watts, Smalling; Milsom (Harris 55), Saunders, Gray, Barnes; Brown; Kamara (Uwezu 80). Subs (not used): Foderingham, Laribi, Moscatiello.

ARSENAL RESERVES: Shea; Eastmond, Bartley, Cruise (Deacon 75), Nordtveit; Watt (Ayling 71), Wilshere, Randall, Bischoff; Sunu (Evina 45), Emmanuel-Thomas. Subs (not used): Ozyakup.