The Tanner Report: Nottingham Forest 2 Fulham 3

There are 4 main reasons why Fulham have got off to such a good start in their Premiership campaign – now being in 6th place with 11 points.

Alex Mitrovic has confounded his critics by showing he can score in the Premiership with 6 goals to date though none on Friday (his 28th birthday);

The impact of Joao Pahlinha: we acquired Pahlinha for £17 m from Sporting Lisbon.

He has scored two goals and you have to go back to Alan Mullery for a better defensive midfielder – this is some relief for me as Mullers is a resentful man bearing Fulham ill will and I can now choose Pahlinha in my best-ever Fulham team;

Tim Ream at 34, has played in every game; we feared his age and lack of pace would reduce his appearances but his reading of the game is so good that we can compare him to the great Bobby Moore;

In virtually every game Fulham have scored from a set piece – often so much attention is given to Mitrovic that Pahlinha – or, last Friday, Tosin – can exploit the gaps.

I might also add the safe keeping of Leno and above all the tactical astuteness of Marco Silva …