FOOTBALL: GR-EIGHT SHOW; FULHAM 3 GILLINGHAM 0 Hayles keeps 100 per

FULHAM easily maintained their 'GR-EIGHT' start to the season thanks to a two-goal show from striker Barry Hayles.

Jean Tigana's London aristocrats wrapped up their eighth successive win with Hayles running Gills ragged.

The 28-year-old striker finished brilliantly from Steve Finnan's cross in first-half stoppage time, then played a perfect through ball for Lee Clark to seal the match in the second period.

The Gills fought all the way but Hayles rubbed salt in the wound with three minutes left.

The visitors were facing a team with 14 goals in their four previous home games. Fabrice Fernandes almost made it 15 on four minutes but his 25-yarder cannoned off the post and away to safety.

Gills' keeper Vince Bartram had to be at his best to keep out shots from Wayne Collins, Clark and Fernandes but he could do nothing about the opener as Hayles chested down Finnan's cross and lashed a shot into the top corner.

Clark sealed the game when he ran on to Hayles' pass, rounded Bartram and finished expertly before Hayles drove the ball into the top corner once more to make it 3-0.

Player-coach John Collins was not fully satisfied, despite the convincing victory.

He said: "I thought we were below par in the first half. We were a little bit slack with our passing. Full credit to Gillingham, they gave us as much trouble as anyone this season."

Gills' boss Andy Hessenthaler was disappointed that a few travelling fans abused the players as they left the field. Captain Paul Smith and Barry Ashby responded and stewards had to intervene.STAR MAN VINCE BARTRAM

Several first-class stops.

FULHAM: Taylor 6; Finnan 8, Melville 7, Coleman 6 (Lewis 5), W Collins 5, J Collins 6, Goldbaek 7, Clark 7, Fernandes 7, Hayles 8, Saha 6 (Boa Morte 5).

GILLINGHAM: BARTRAM 8; Ashby 6, Hope 6, Butters 6, Southall 6 (James 6), Hessenthaler 7, Smith 6, Browning 5, Edge 6, King 5 (Thomson 5), Asaba 6.

MANAGER RATINGS: Tigana 7, Hessenthaler 7.

REFEREE: F Stretton 5.

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