Rodrigo Muniz wrote another chapter in one of English football’s most remarkable redemption stories as he bagged a brace to fire Fulham to a flawless victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage tonight. Twelve months ago, the Brazilian was kicking his heels having been deemed surplus to requirements by Michael Carrick whilst on loan at Middlesbrough and, only six weeks ago, his Fulham future looked bleak with the deadline day arrival of Armando Broja from Chelsea. But Muniz has now scored seven goals in seven games during a rich vein of form that arguably leaves him unfortunate not to have received an international call-up.

Fulham cantered to a comprehensive success over sloppy Spurs – their first since Dimitar Berbatov scored against his old club at White Hart Lane in 2013 – and the manner of their dominance was reflected in the way Muniz made Radu Dragusin’s first start a miserable one. Like at Wolves last week, Marco Silva’s side had a host of first half chances. Muniz almost gave the Whites a dream start inside two minutes but his snapshot was blocked by Cristian Romero and Andreas Pereira’s follow-up deflected wide off Dragusin.

Romero then somehow got himself in the way of Pereira’s close-range strike after Guglielmo Vicario could only palm a cross from Alex Iwobi into the path of the Brazilian playmaker. The Italian made another smart stop to keep out Sasa Lukic’s effort after the Serbian had strode onto a pinpoint cross from Antonee Robinson. Muniz was crowded out in front of goal after more adventurous running from Robinson – and the hosts almost paid for their failure to take their chances with Son Heung-Min skying over after linking up with James Maddison before the England international shot into the side netting following a breezy burst down the left by Destiny Udogie.

But the difference between this Fulham display and the defeat at Molineux was that Silva’s side took the lead with a lovely goal before the interval. Robinson raced into oceans of space down the left wing and delivered a delicious cross that Muniz controlled wonderfully, before finding the far corner with an unerring right-footed finish. The home side came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half and doubled their lead within four minutes. Iwobi fed the overlapping Timothy Castagne, whose measured cross was flicked over Vicario by Lukic for his first Fulham goal.

Castagne could even have made it three when he surged onto a through ball from Iwobi and tested Vicario at his near post, but Tottenham’s respite was only fleeting. From the corner, Palhinha’s header fell for Bassey, who cracked an effort against the post and Muniz bravely stabbed home from four yards out despite being clattered by Dragusin. The Brazilian received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Raul Jimenez, who inadvertently cost Fulham a fourth when he was adjudged offside and interfering with play in front of the goalkeeper as Palhinha powered a finish past Vicario.

Ange Postecoglou sought to add firepower with several substitutions, but the game had long since passed Spurs before. Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner missed good chances to score a consolation, whilst the returning Richarlison rifled wide when it seemed simpler to score. Vicario did manage to keep out a curler from Harry Wilson in the dying embers of the contest, but Silva’s stylish side had already cruised to another eye-catching victory. Playing like this makes you wonder whether the European places really are out of reach.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne (Tete 82), A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Bassey; Palhinha, Lukic (Reed 81); Iwobi (De Cordova-Reid 82), Willian, Pereira (Wilson 72); Muniz (Jimenez 64). Subs (not used): Rodak, Ream, Cairney, Traore.

BOOKED: Palhinha, Lukic.

GOALS: Muniz (42, 61), Lukic (49).

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Udogie, Dragusin, Romero; Bissouma (Hojberg 66), Sarr (Bentancur 66); Johnson (Richarlison 80), Kulusevski, Maddison; Son (Lo Celso 87). Subs (not used): Austin, Davies, Skipp, Royal.

BOOKED: Bisouma, Johnson, Bentancur.

REFEREE: Robert Jones (The Wirral).

ATTENDANCE: 24,410.