Harry Wilson pulled the strings with two assists and a goal as Fulham condemned Burnley to another damaging Premier League loss at Turf Moor.
The Wales international’s low corner opened the scoring in an entertaining first half, somehow slipping past near-post defender Quilindschy Hartman to allow Emile Smith Rowe to turn in from close range.
Burnley responded positively despite their poor run of form.
Bernd Leno reacted sharply to deny Lesley Ugochukwu once, but the Fulham goalkeeper was beaten moments later when the midfielder guided Josh Cullen’s through ball into the bottom corner to restore parity.
Parity did not last long.
Just after the half-hour mark, Fulham regained the lead when Wilson brought the ball down superbly and delivered a teasing cross that Calvin Bassey headed home unchallenged in a crowded penalty area.
The hosts created chances either side of the interval, with Leno again denying Ugochukwu and Jacob Bruun Larsen, but Fulham struck decisively again when Wilson curled a composed finish into the far corner after being picked out by Samuel Chukwueze to make it 3-1.
Burnley briefly threatened a comeback when substitute Zian Flemming forced Leno into action and Oliver Sonne side-footed in his first goal for the club, but Fulham’s earlier ruthlessness proved decisive.
The result leaves Burnley five points adrift of safety, a gap that could grow after the weekend’s remaining fixtures.
Fulham climb to 13th, seven points clear of the bottom three, and celebrate their first league win at Turf Moor since 1951.
Once regarded as an impact substitute, Wilson has firmly established himself as a key figure under Marco Silva this season.
After starting 12 of Fulham’s past 13 league games, the 26-year-old has returned five goals in that run and continues to influence matches decisively.
His assist for Bassey was a standout moment, cushioning the ball out of the air before delivering a perfect cross, while his goal bore all the hallmarks of his style - precise, confident and decisive.
With Fulham lacking a consistent goalscorer, Wilson’s form could be the difference between comfort and a relegation scrap.
Burnley’s attacking numbers told a different story to the final scoreline.
Sixteen shots, eight on target and an expected goals figure of 2.52 should have been enough to earn something from the game.
Instead, defensive lapses once again proved fatal.
Hartman’s failure to deal with Wilson’s corner gifted Fulham the opener, while poor marking allowed Bassey a free header for the second.
Scott Parker’s side were far more resilient defensively in the Championship last season, but that solidity has deserted them at Premier League level.
Until Burnley address their vulnerability at the back, encouraging spells of attacking play are likely to continue ending in disappointment.
