Belgian striker makes instant impact after Craven Cottage move
Time is running out for Fulham and an embarrassing defeat at unfancied new-boys Blackpool is only three minutes away.
But then Moussa Dembele, a new arrival from AZ Alkmaar, spins on the halfway line, evades a tackle, gets his head up and picks out the onrushing Dickson Etuhu who is rampaging towards the Tangerine goal.
The Nigerian, revelling in his new found attacking freedom, fires home an unstoppable equaliser past the helpless Matt Gilks to level the scores in the 87th minute.
It’s heartbreaking for newly promoted Blackpool, who were moments away from a famous win in their first home game since their return to the top flight, but a moment to remember and a second assist of the match for Dembele.
The 23-year-old Belgian had crossed for Bobby Zamora to open the scoring in the first half and finished the game with four Fantasy League points.
Mark Hughes reportedly paid £5m for the striker, beating Birmingham to his signature, and it looks to be money well spent if his early displays in a Fulham shirt are anything to go by.
Described by his new manager as “strong and quick”, Dembele made his debut for the Cottagers against Manchester United and his arrival as a substitute coincided with their second half revival.
The Belgium international, with 28 caps and five goals to his name, was in the starting line up three days later and was among the scorers in the 6-0 drubbing of Port Vale.
Dembele came through the ranks of Belgian outfit Germinal Beerschot and turned down Dutch giants Ajax to sign for Willem II, where he scored 10 goals.
He was soon hot property in the Netherlands and moved to AZ Alkmaar where he played a key role, and notched 10 goals, in their championship season in 2008/09.
Clearly a gifted forward with good awareness, Dembele should form an intelligent strike partnership with Zamora and will cost just £5.5m to bring into your Classic team.
That could be a shrewd investment with winnable fixtures against Wolves, Blackburn, Everton and West Ham up next for Dembele and his new club.