Fulham made an emphatic Europa League debut after Bobby Zamora inspired a comfortable 3-0 victory over FC Vetra in Vilnius.
Zamora, who has rejected a move to Hull this summer, scored the opener, 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.
