Fulham captain Tom Cairney was delighted to record what he described as a ‘vital’ victory over Sheffield United at Craven Cottage yesterday afternoon.

The Whites had wanted to deliver a response after being badly below-par in their local derby defeat by Chelsea on Monday night and Cairney told FFCTV after the final whistle that getting three points was important to restore the squad’s belief:

“The result was vital today. We had to win going into the international break. It will be bring a feelgood factor around the training ground over the next couple of weeks going into the Tottenham game. You need that. You need to win. It breeds confidence, which is a nice way to build up to Tottenham.”

Cairney played a key part in the win, sent on as a substitute shortly after Antonee Robinson’s own goal had cancelled out a fine finish from Bobby Decordova-Reid, and his looping shot from long range cannoned off the crossbar and back into the net off former Fulham goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

“I think we created a few chances. I don’t think three goals flatters us but it was a tight game. I came on at 1-1, it was quite cagey and nervy at that point, and a lucky, flukey goal got us ahead. I received the ball, took a nice touch and thought I’d take a shot. It hit the inside of my right ankle and flew up in the air. The next thing I’ve seen [was the ball] come back off the crossbar and I thought, ‘oh my God, it’s my goal’ but, looking back I think it might be an own goal.

The fans really lifted us at 1-1. I’ve said before that to be a successful Premier League team you need [to be strong] on your home ground, you need your fans. I knew we’d create chances but just putting them away has been a little bit hard this season. To get my goal the way we did was a bit fortunate but Wilian’s goal topped off a good afternoon. He’s brilliant. He’s a wonderful player. I love playing with him, his enthusiasm, his touch, everything about him – the way he plays football is just amazing. We’re very luck to have him.”