Aston Villa desperately needed this victory.
Not that Unai Emery’s position is under threat but the narrative around their season was one of concern following five winless games.
More is expected of a club with European ambitions, and so the nature of Villa’s flat and listless performances had been a growing worry.
Three points against Fulham can now give Villa the springboard they craved as they travel to Feyenoord in the Europa League this week.
The visit of Burnley follows in the Premier League and, quickly, the horizon looks a little brighter – especially following Thursday’s narrow Europa League win over Bologna.
Not that this was Villa at their swashbuckling best – far from it. They ground it out after falling behind to Raul Jimenez’s header while there was also an element of Fulham allowing them a route back.
That Watkins also ended his goal drought, having gone nine games without scoring, removes another obstacle which had threatened to trip Villa up this season.
The striker, who struck 16 times in the Premier League last season, is so crucial to Villa’s hopes, having had little goalscoring back-up. His return to the scoresheet capped a satisfying, if not comprehensive, win.