How Slavisa Jokanovic’s men rated after they ended Cardiff City’s unbeaten home record on Boxing Day …

Marcus Bettinelli: After a somewhat sloppy display on Saturday against Barnsley, Bettinelli underlined his credentials as Fulham’s number one with a performance full of character yesterday. He overcame some nervy early kicking to produce two excellent reaction saves when his side were under prolonged pressure in the second half. Organised his defence well and had no chance with either Kenneth Zohore’s piledriver or Callum Patterson’s stoppage time header. 7 

Ryan Fredericks: Another energetic display from Fulham’s rampaging right back who got forward with purpose but also managed to nullify Neil Warnock’s dangerous wingers. Fredericks dovetailed well with both Sheyi Ojo and Ryan Sessegnon in front of him and, when others might have thought about whacking the ball as far away as possible in stoppage time, released Stefan Johansen to score Fulham’s fourth. 7 

Denis Odoi: The versatile defender slotted in at left back and produced a steady showing that significantly restricted the supply of crosses to the returning Zohore. Odoi wisely avoided any more needless disciplinary problems after picking up a cheap early booking and his diligence allowed Sessegnon to roam across the forward line at wi?l. 7 
Tomas Kalas: Was sometimes troubled by the physicality of the Cardiff forwards but gradually grew into the contest. Composed as ever with the ball at his feet, Kalas was reassuring at the heart of the Fulham defence until Warnock’s side went longer in the final stages. 6 

Tim Ream: The American scored his second goal for the Whites with a fine header at the back post to give Fulham the lead and showed great desire to clear the visitors’ lines over and over again. Ream frequently had the ball at his feet and distributed possession effectively during a performance that spread confidence right through the spine of Jokanovic’s side. 7 

Kevin McDonald: The Scottish midfielder’s hod carrying wasn’t as immediately noticeable as it had been at the weekend, but it proved no less important. After rising sublimely to flick on the cross from which Ream headed Fulham in front, McDonald shut down the space in which the likes of Zohore and Mendez-Laing have operated so impressively. Not much got past him all afternoon 7 

Tom Cairney: This was a much more encouraging display from the Fulham skipper that his laboured 90 minutes against Barnsley. Cairney courageously withstood a succession of cynical Cardiff challenges designed to dilute his influence but he still dictated play effortlessly from central midfield. Might have scored with a lovely second half curler that flew fractionally wide. 7 

Stefan Johansen: This was probably the Norwegian’s best display in a Fulham shirt since last term. His energy levels were bag to what we have been accustomed to – as shown by the sixty yard dash in stoppage time that took him before the impudent dink over Neil Etheridge. When Fulham’s midfield three are operating in tandem the Whites look like a totally different side and Johansen’s part in offering more dynamism shouldn’t be overlooked. 7 

Sheyi Ojo: The Liverpool loanee might not have maintained his hot scoring streak but this performance of passion, pace and power put the Bluebirds on the back foot from the off. His venturing off the right flank was pivotal to introducing the fluidity Fulham’s forward line had lacked of late. The standing ovation he received from the travelling fans said it all. 7 

Ryan Sessegnon: Another mature and utterly devastating display from the pridigously talented teenager. Cardiff allowed him time on the ball from the outset and he looked threatening every time Fulham crossed the halfway line. Made the third with a high-tenpo give and go with Floyd Ayite before spinning around the last defender and stroking a sublime to put clear water between the teams after a terrific switch of play by Rui Fonte. 9

Floyd Ayite: The Togo international followed up his blockbuster against Barnsley with what looked a fat more simple finish yesterday but his clever running off the ball created the opening. He worried the Cardiff back line throughout and, operating right across the width of the field, delivered the sort of all-action performance that bodes well for the remainder of the campaign. 8

Substitutes:

Neeskens Kebano: Another excellent cameo from the Congolese winger as he continues on the path back to full match sharpness after that hamstring injured. His raw pace proved a real asset on the counter attack 7 

Rui Fonte: The Portuguese made a real impression despite a lack of playing time. He scrapped for the ball from the get go and a raking crossfield pass put in Sessegnon for Fulham’s third. 7 

Lucas Piazon: The Brazilian received a rapturous reception from the Fulham faithful when he entered the fray since August. There was little time for Piazon to impress but it was cheering to see one of the game’s good guys out there again after such a serious injury setback. 6