Vinicius’ second-half strike is enough to seal three points for Cottagers as newboys remain point-less
CARLOS VINICIUS climbed off the bench to make sure Fulham paid a perfect tribute to their former owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
The Brazilian striker had only been on the pitch for three minutes after coming on for Raul Jimenez.
And he was there to pounce on to a spilled Willian cross to net the 65th-minute winner.
It was Fulham’s first win since their opening day triumph at Everton and a great tribute as the club remembered their legendary ex-owner who passed away aged 94.
Luton proved a tough nut to crack though as they packed their box and were content to play on the break — but remain without a point after four matches in the Premier League.
The Hatters had an early chance to break the deadlock after a Fulham attack broke down outside the box.
Tahith Chong was set free, racing forward 50 yards. With Andreas Pereira pushing him out wide to the left, the Hatters man’s angled effort was kept out by Bernd Leno.
Raul Jimenez was just a whisker away from getting a glancing header on to a teasing Harry Wilson cross.
And Fulham went mighty close to moving in front but Kenny Tete headed powerfully over the bar after rising to meet a corner.
Carlton Morris failed to punish some awful Fulham defending when Issa Diop made a hash of a headed clearance. Jacob Brown headed the ball into Morris’ path but he smacked his effort wide.
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But the Hatters were denied by the woodwork moments after Issa Kabore’s right-flank cross was met by a bullet header by Brown — but the ball rattled back against the crossbar.
After the break, Luton almost got off to a flying start when Brown’s superb chipped pass found Bell but his volley on the stretch was just kept out on the goalline by Leno.
But Fulham broke the deadlock.
Wilson sprayed a ball out to the left to Willian to get to the byline.
His dangerous ball could only be palmed by keeper Thomas Kaminski into the path of Vinicius to slam home.
And then Willian curled a shot wide after being teed up by Wilson.
Vinicius was denied a second after springing the Luton defence but Tom Lockyer managed to get back to block.