Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa secured his first competitive victory as his side defeated local rivals Wimbledon 3-0 to reach the Carabao Cup third round.
Emile Smith Rowe and Rodrigo Muniz scored late first-half headers before substitute Gonzalo Garcia rounded off the win late in the second half.
Fulham are a Premier League club based in West London, while Wimbledon compete in League One, the third tier of English football. The derby was the first meeting between the two clubs since Wimbledon's rebirth.
Breakthrough before half time
With season tickets in the Riverside Stand costing £3,192, Fulham fans have come to expect comfort alongside their scallops and risotto. However, the Cottagers were left groaning for almost a full half as the home side struggled to break down stubborn opposition.
Wimbledon, who are tipped to struggle in League One, mounted a firm rearguard action against their noisy neighbours. Defenders Andy Yiadom and Dan Sweeney materialised repeatedly to defuse attacks plotted by Kevin and Muniz, leaving Fulham fans so desperate that they began encouraging defenders to shoot from distance.
The breakthrough came after 37 minutes of toil that had felt like two hours to the home supporters. Smith Rowe finally turned in a scruffy header to burst the Wimbledon dam, before Muniz doubled the lead with another header minutes before half-time to make the rest of the night feel academic.
Second half chances
The second half largely mirrored the first as Fulham pushed forward but were frequently thwarted by the visitors. Smith Rowe, who could have completed a hat-trick, crashed a half-volley over the crossbar as Arbeloa's second-string side pressed for a third goal.
Wimbledon created opportunities of their own despite the deficit, and their packed away end remained boisterous throughout. Callum Maycock missed by molecules with a flicked effort, while Myles Hippolyte attempted a spectacular strike from range.
Garcia provided a final cheer for the fans who stayed until the end. After coming off the bench, the forward rounded goalkeeper Nathan Bishop to score his second Fulham goal since joining for £34m from Real Madrid.
Manager reaction and schedule
The result brings relief to Arbeloa after a long summer in which his suitability to replace former manager Marco Silva was relentlessly questioned. The Spaniard, who takes inspiration from the Spartan army, will take any battling victory as he prepares for sterner tests ahead.
"The players did a good job with energy and effort," Arbeloa said. "We moved the ball really well, tried to attack, score goals. We controlled Wimbledon's counter-attacks. I'm happy with the performance and attitude."
Arbeloa added: "Of course we have a lot of things to work on but it's a long journey. I saw a team with clear ideas."
Fulham's busy week continues with a trip to Sunderland on Sunday, a match that could prove consequential by the end of the season. The victory also booked a visit to West Ham in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
