Fulham finally got over the line to win their first match under Alvaro Arbeloa, earning precious breathing space for their under-pressure boss.

Arbeloa was facing serious questions over whether he was cut out for the role after six Premier League games without a win. Yet this was a confident performance that eased the pressure, with Fulham dominating Hull, who had lost just once before travelling to Craven Cottage. 

In fact, the performance was best encapsulated by Hull manager Sergej Jokanovic: ‘It was men v boys out there. They ate us alive.'

Jokanovic was right. This was a transformative Fulham showing, a far cry from the team that has lacked balance and looked fragile. Fulham did not give Hull a sniff. They dominated possession, enjoying 76 per cent of the ball.

It was an entirely different Fulham side. Throughout the season, they have overcommitted and consistently caught in transition but that evaporated. Hull were limited to eight touches in the penalty area and were denied a shot on target or an attempt inside the box. 

That said, there is a caveat: Hull were flat and did not offer much. Yes, Fulham were brilliant and outclassed their opponents but caution is required when hailing their defensive display. Hull were sloppy, which made Fulham look comfortable. 

There is also reason to be concerned in attack. Although Fulham were free-flowing and registered 18 shots, they lacked a clinical edge and missed four big chances.

Gonzalo Garcia, in particular, should have scored when Alex Iwobi put a delicious ball on a plate for him in the 74th minute but his header struck the crossbar from eight yards.

'I’ve seen this movie before,' Arbeloa replied when asked what he was thinking as Fulham squandered their chances. 'I never felt like we were in danger, but in football you never know. One moment and a goal can be scored. 

'It was so important to see the players' commitment. For the players on the bench, not on the bench, they are so important for us, working for the group. We need to keep working, it's going to be a long season.

'I am happy because I think we deserved victories in games before, we lost some games where I didn't think the team was better than us. Today, was a perfect day where we dominated. We were almost perfect, I can't believe the game finished 1-0.'

On the whole, this was a drastic improvement from Arbeloa’s side and will keep him in the job for next weekend’s clash with Coventry City. He must now find a way to knit together the defensive and attacking performances. 

Fulham played entertaining football with a strong defensive platform but if they do not take their chances, games like last weekend’s will continue to haunt them. Against Ipswich, they conceded twice in four minutes, throwing away three points having squandered three big chances. History will repeat itself if they continue to misfire in front of goal.

After all, the matchwinner against Hull was comical. Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s lazy clearance fell to Oscar Bobb before landing with Sander Berge, who spotted Alex Iwobi on the edge of the box and played the ball into his path.

Iwobi’s first-time effort went underneath goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis as it rifled in. Meanwhile, they failed to take the chances they were expected to put away.

Iwobi’s goal, though, was scored with over an hour remaining. Fulham had previously cracked in winning positions, dropping eight points. This demonstrated they do have the required mentality to see matches out.

With Arbeloa’s job on the line, this was an encouraging response. 

Hull hit the buffers

Hull, meanwhile, were put back in their place after a positive start to the season. 

The fans at Craven Cottage got slightly carried away, chanting about the Champions League after taking nine points from their first six games.

But the defeat against Fulham means they are now winless in four, which serves as a reminder of how difficult this season will be.

There were no positives in the Hull display. Fulham bossed them from the first minute until the last. They offered no threat and were bullied all over the pitch. Fulham have struggled this season yet looked a level above Hull.

If performances continue to tank like that, they will struggle to remain in the league. The manager put it down to a ‘bad day at the office’ - it must not become more than that.