Emile Smith Rowe announced his arrival at Fulham in spectacular fashion, delivering a man-of-the-match performance that propelled the Cottagers to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup second round.
The Arsenal loanee, making his full debut for Marco Silva's side, was the architect of the win at Craven Cottage. He broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark with a composed finish, showcasing the quality that made him a highly-coveted signing.
Smith Rowe wasn't finished there. His creative influence grew in the second half, and it was his perfectly weighted pass that set up Raul Jimenez to double Fulham's advantage and effectively seal the tie.
Fulham manager Marco Silva will be delighted with the fluidity and control his team displayed, especially with several changes to the starting lineup. The performance of Smith Rowe, in particular, gives the Portuguese tactician a welcome selection headache as the Premier League season intensifies.
The victory books Fulham's place in the third-round draw, where they will face a trip to Portman Road to take on Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town, managed by Kieran McKenna. It sets up an intriguing clash between two attack-minded teams.
For Cambridge United, the League One side battled valiantly but were ultimately outclassed by their top-flight opponents. They can now refocus their efforts on their league campaign after a respectable cup run.
This match will be remembered as the night Emile Smith Rowe truly introduced himself to the Fulham faithful, offering a tantalising glimpse of the excitement he is set to bring to West London this season.
