Leeds beat 10-man Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage through goals from Sam Byram, Sol Bamba and Mirco Antenucci, leaving the home side still firmly in the Championship relegation mix. 

The Cottagers dominated the opening half, forcing multiple saves from Marco Silvestri, as the ex-Leeds striking duo of Ross McCormack and Matt Smith looked threatening.

But the visitors opened the scoring totally against the run of play, just before half-time, through a near-post header from Byram.

Leeds took control early in the second-half, as Bamba scored three minutes after the interval after poor marking from a corner.

Only four minutes later Kostas Stafylidis was sent-off for two bookings acquired within a minute as, after a promising start, Fulham pressed the self-destruct button, with Antenucci completing the scoring with a volley late on.

The Cottagers first-half performance appeared to suggest they had summoned the quality and spirit that saw them beat Juventus 4-1 in the Europa league on this ground five years ago to the day.

McCormack was given a frosty reception by the travelling fans but appeared unperturbed, showing good movement to break free in the area, only for Silvestri to make a good save low to his left.

The chances kept coming as playmaker Bryan Ruiz tried an audacious lob from 35 yards out that forced Silvestri to peddle back and tip over. The resulting corner fell to Stafylidis on the edge of the area, with his powerful drive forcing another good save by Silvestri, low to his left.

Fulham were totally dominant, with Matt Smith having two good headed opportunities, the first of which was saved impressively, while the second went just wide.

Leeds made the home side pay for not taking their chances by grabbing the lead just before half-time, as a precise cross from Gaetano Berardi allowed an unmarked Byram to head down and into the left corner.

The goal improved the visitors performance, claiming a second goal three minutes after the interval from an Alex Mowatt corner.

In defending that was an apt metaphor for a Fulham side that have conceded five goals on five separate occasions this season, the ball was allowed to bounce across the box. 

Leeds captain Bamba gleefully headed in his first goal for the club into the far corner, despite Marcus Bettinelli getting a right hand to it.

Only four minutes later Fulham were reduced to 10 men in a petulant sending off as Stafylidis was being booked twice within 60 seconds.

The first came for unnecessary dissent towards the linesman, the second for fouling Luke Murphy when the midfielder was by the corner flag and going nowhere.

Thereafter the game meandered, with Smith placing a header wide and shooting straight at Silvestri, squandering two excellent chances to give his side hope, while McCormack limped off injured. 

Just before injury time Leeds extended their lead as a cross was punched away unconvincingly by Bettinelli, falling for substitute Antenucci, whose volley went into the ground and looped into the far corner.

Fulham have now won just one of their last 11 League games, leaving them precariously placed just 6 points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Leeds are now unbeaten in their last four matches and move up to 12th in the table with a result that will delight their outstanding and vocal travelling support.