Fulham scored four first-half goals as they beat Al-Ittihad behind-closed-doors on the Algarve tonight to make it four pre-season wins from four fixtures.
Harry Wilson continued his superb summer form by lashing in a lovely left-footed strike to give Marco Silva’s side the lead before Emile Smith Rowe doubled the Premier League’s side advantage when his floated cross from the left edge of the area looped over the goalkeeper and into the net. Tim Castagne finished a fabulous move but saw his goal ruled out of offside before Josh King converted a deep cross from Tom Cairney to make it three.
Jorge Cuenca crashed in a cracking strike from outside the box in first half stoppage time after the Saudi Pro League side were slow to react to a well-worked Wilson corner. Adama Traore, linked with a move to Nottingham Forest earlier this week, quickly became influential as one of the experienced Fulham susbtitutes. A trademark individual run took Traore through the Al-Ittah rearguard but shot just wide. Andreas Pereira shot straight at keeper before Al-Ittiahd roared back into the contest.
They were given a debatable penalty midway through the second half. Benjamin Lecomete, who had replaced Bernd Leno at half time to make his first appearance since signing from Montpellier. The French veteran spread himself to save Karim Benzema’s spot-kick, but the savvy striker tucked away the rebound. That proved the catalyst for a strong spell from the Sadi Pro League side with former Real Madrid forward Benzema turning home a cross from Moussa Diaby just two minutes later.
Traore’s venomous volley needed clawing away by Shengity, who then sprawled at the winger’s feet to prevent the Spanish international from scoring a fourth. Silva’s side survived a prolonged period of pressure from Al-Ittihad to earn another enterprising win in the scorching sunshine. The Whites will complete their training camp tomorrow before taking on Championship side Sheffield United in another behind-closed doors battle at Motspur Park on Saturday.
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno (Lecomte 45); Castagne (Tete 45), Andersen (Diop 45), Cuenca (Bassey 45), R. Sessegnon (Esenga 63); Luki? (Berge 45), Cairney (Reed 45); Wilson (Adama 45), Smith Rowe (Iwobi 45), King (A. Pereira 45); Muniz (Loupalo-Bi 63).
GOALS: Wilson (7), Smith Rowe (22), King (30), Cuenca (45+1).
AL-ITTIHAD (4-2-3-1): Al-Shanqiti; Al-Mousa, Mitaj, D. Pereira, Borrell; Kante, Al-Nashri; Diaby, Berguin, Aaour; Benzema.
GOALS: Benzema (71, 74).
