Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed confidence that Fulham can revive their Premier League campaign after his decisive goal secured a 1-0 victory over Hull City, ending the London club's six-match winless start to the 2026/27 season.
Iwobi scored the only goal at Craven Cottage on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as Fulham recorded their first league victory of the campaign. The result lifted the club off the bottom of the Premier League table and out of the relegation zone, providing encouragement for manager Álvaro Arbeloa following a difficult opening seven matches.
Speaking to Fulham TV after the encounter, the Nigerian international said the victory was overdue, maintaining that the team's performances had not always been reflected in its results.
“The win was a long time coming. We have performed well even though the results spoke otherwise,” Iwobi said.
The midfielder explained that the players had continued working under Arbeloa despite their disappointing results and believed Saturday's victory could provide the confidence needed to improve their position in the league.
He said the manager had encouraged the squad to remain committed to its approach, expressing hope that the result against Hull would mark the beginning of a more productive period.
Iwobi's contribution proved decisive in the 33rd minute when Fulham capitalised on Hull's inability to clear the ball from their defensive area.
Sander Berge collected possession and supplied a pass to Iwobi, whose effort found its way past Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis to give the home side the lead.
The goal was Iwobi's first of the Premier League season and gave Fulham a valuable advantage after an opening period in which they had created several attacking opportunities.
Despite their narrow winning margin, Fulham continued to threaten the visitors' goal and had opportunities to extend their lead. Their failure to convert additional chances left the match finely balanced until the closing stages.
Iwobi acknowledged that the team needed to improve its finishing, admitting that Fulham had created enough opportunities to win by a more comfortable margin.
He nevertheless maintained that the ability to create chances was encouraging, arguing that continued attacking improvement could eventually translate into more goals.
The Nigerian midfielder also emphasised the importance of defensive organisation, identifying clean sheets as another factor that could help Fulham secure more victories.
Saturday's result was particularly significant for Arbeloa, who had endured a difficult beginning to his first Premier League campaign as Fulham manager.
Before facing Hull, the London club had recorded four defeats and two draws from its opening six league matches, leaving it at the bottom of the standings.
The victory therefore represented Arbeloa's first Premier League win since taking charge during the summer, easing some of the immediate pressure surrounding the team's results.
However, Fulham were forced to negotiate a tense conclusion after defender Ryan Sessegnon received a red card in stoppage time.
Sessegnon was dismissed following a challenge on Hull's Robinio Vaz, leaving the home side with ten players during the final moments.
Fulham nevertheless maintained their advantage to secure all three points and record a clean sheet.
For Hull City, the defeat extended a difficult sequence of results following their return to the Premier League. The visitors struggled to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities and were unable to find an equaliser despite Fulham's late numerical disadvantage.
Hull manager Sergej Jakirović subsequently expressed disappointment with his team's performance, acknowledging that his players had fallen below the standards expected of them.
The result also highlighted Iwobi's importance to Fulham's attacking play. The former Arsenal and Everton midfielder has remained an established member of the London club's squad, contributing through his movement, passing and ability to operate in different attacking positions.
His winning goal against Hull provided a tangible contribution at a time when Fulham urgently needed a positive result.
Nevertheless, the Nigerian international's comments suggested that the players were looking beyond a single victory.
Iwobi believes Fulham must maintain their improved performance levels and build consistency in subsequent matches rather than allowing the win to become an isolated result.
The club's next Premier League fixture is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, when Fulham travel to face Coventry City.
That encounter will provide an opportunity to determine whether the confidence gained from defeating Hull can translate into consecutive positive results.
For Iwobi, the immediate priority remains sustaining the momentum established at Craven Cottage, improving the team's efficiency in front of goal and maintaining the defensive discipline that helped secure Saturday's victory.
Although Fulham remain in the early stages of the campaign, their first league win has provided an opportunity to improve their position after a challenging start.
Iwobi's message is that the team must now turn that opportunity into sustained progress as the Premier League season continues.
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