Fulham v FK Vetra

Fulham made an emphatic Europa League debut after Bobby Zamora inspired a comfortable victory over FC Vetra in Vilnius.

Zamora won a penalty converted by Danny Murphy and set-up the third for substitute Seol Ki-Hyeon.

Making their first appearance in Europe since 2002, Fulham are now excellently positioned to progress from the third qualifying round with the second leg staged at Craven Cottage next Thursday.

Occasionally showing the strain of beginning their season in July, Fulham were loose in defence at times and lacked bite in midfield for the opening half hour.

The hot conditions did not help but, having settled, they comprehensively outplayed the Lithuanian club, who finished third in the A Lyga last season.

Brede Hangeland, Zamora and Zoltan Gera wasted early chances before Zamora rewarded Fulham’s heavy pressure by firing the opener moments before half-time.

Murphy doubled the lead and effectively killed off the game from the spot in the 56th minute after Zamora had been fouled by Vetra skipper Algis Jankauskas before Seol made it three late one.

Fulham were reduced to panic stations in the fifth minute when Murphy had to clear off the line following poor marking at a corner.

Hangeland, reportedly a transfer target for Arsenal and Tottenham, nodded a Murphy corner wide.

Vetra midfielder Robertas Vezevicius produced a promising attempt but Mark Schwarzer had time to gather.

Fulham should have taken the lead in the 26th minute when a well-worked move saw Murphy pick out Zamora who directed his shot straight at keeper Povilas Valincius.

Gera flashed wide of the near post as the Cottagers butchered another chance but they finally took the lead a minute before half time.

The ball was fed to Zamora on the edge of the area and the former West Ham striker turned and shot in one movement to leave Valincius snatching at air.

Zamora was involved as Fulham extended their lead from the spot 11 minutes into the second half.

Left-back Paul Konchesky found Zamora in the box who had his shirt pulled by Jankauskas and Murphy made no mistake with the ensuing penalty.

Once again Zamora was the provider as Fulham put the result beyond doubt, setting up Seol who drilled the ball home.

Bobby Zamora refused to take passage into the fourth qualifying round of the Europa League for granted despite Fulham’s 3-0 victory over FK Vetra.

“It was important for us to start with a win,” he told the club’s official website. “We had a few games in pre-season and looked good, so it was good for us to carry that into this game and get an important result.

“And it was nice to get back on the road and get these games going too.

“It’s really important for us. We’re all loving playing in Europe as it’s another achievement for us, so we’re going to relish every minute of it.

“Now we’re just looking forward to the second leg next week. It’ll be another tough workout for us and hopefully we’ll come out of it with another win.

“They were organised and they worked hard. They put the ball in the box and they’ll give us another hard game back at the Cottage next week.

“Luckily we got our goals at good times, though, so there was never any doubt about the result.”