It is in such moments that cult heroes are made.
Andreas Pereira swings in a typically devilish cross from the right-hand side and Carlos Vinicius, stepping in for the Aleksandr Mitrovic, heads home in a manner the suspended Fulham talisman would have been proud of.
With that, Marco Silva’s side had beaten West London rivals Chelsea for the first time in 17 years. A run of 22 winless games shattered by a man who had spent much of the season as Mitrovic’s back-up. With Batman otherwise indisposed, this was Robin’s turn to save the day.
Following Mitrovic’s brainless red card against Manchester United prior to the March international break, Marco Silva will be hoping that Vinicius can be relied upon to step up again, especially if the firebrand Serb is hit with a lengthy ban.
That thumping finish against Chelsea, however, is one of only two Vinicius has scored during 22 games in Fulham colours. In fact, in the two years since Tottenham Hotspur opted against triggering the £40 million option-to-buy clause in Vinicius contract following a hit-and-miss loan spell in North London, the well-travelled Brazilian has scored just nine goals in 60 games (Daily Mail).
Fewer than he managed in just nine months at Spurs.
Carlos Vinicius struggling at Fulham following Tottenham spell
Vinicius flopped at PSV Eindhoven; a major disappointment in a division where the likes of Vincent Janssen, Alireza Jahanabakhsh, Afonso Alves claimed the Golden Boot.
“He fell short of PSV’s level,” PSV legend Wim Kieft tells De Telegraaf.
A closer look at his Tottenham spell, meanwhile, and you will discover that, of Vinicius’ 10 goals, all but one came against Ludogorets, Wolfsberger, Royal Antwerp and non-league Marine FC. Hardly the sort of opposition against which a supposedly £40 million-rated centre-forward can be measured.
In fact, across stints at Spurs and Fulham, Vinicius has just three Premier League goals in 27 outings.
Vinicius should get the chance to improve that meagre tally during Mitrovic’s potentially long-term absence. But, while hopes are high, expectations are not.
“Netting the winner against Chelsea is all well and good,” sums up fan-site Fulhamish. “But honestly, Carlos Vinicius is quite easily one of the most infuriating strikers we’ve ever had on our books.
“For a man of 6ft 3ins, and a frame that suggests he’s a mean handful, the Brazilian is deceptively feeble. I’ve never known a professional footballer with a heavier first touch.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
