IT WAS fireworks night at Fulham – but it just happened to come two days early.

Amid flares from Wisla fans that made Craven Cottage look like it was in a 50s pea-souper, Andy Johnson lit up the night for the Whites.

The forward (pic) twice brilliantly hit the back of the net, and even had one chalked off for offside. Had he scripted it, the 30-year-old could not have made a better case for an improved contract offer.

What did get improved was Fulham’s goal difference in an electric opening spell.

Damien Duff was on the receiving end of a Johnson cross inside the box before latecomers had taken their seats.

But if the Whites thought they were in for an easy night, the Poles were level four minutes later.

Dudu Biton was allowed space to wend his way towards goal before the ball found Andraz Kirm outside him.

Kirm’s right-foot shot appeared to be covered by Mark Schwarzer, but the Fulham keeper stood no chance when John-Arne Riise’s heel looped the deflection into the net much to the delight of the red tide at the Putney End.

Johnson and the ground announcer were celebrating a second when the striker smashed one back past the keeper.

The microphone and the forward were silenced instantly when the flag was raised for offside.

But the assistant could only marvel on 30 minutes when the Fulham man of the moment connected perfectly to swivel and volley Fulham back into the lead via an upright from Danny Murphy’s centre.

Johnson was kept quiet after that, but the non-stop niggling of Wisla’s Kew Jaliens got both he and Zamora booked as they squared up to each other.

The second half was somewhat paler by comparison, and although the flares were long out, Wisla were down and out when Johnson was on the end of a slide-rule free-kick routine to chip the keeper for 3-1.

Fulham boss Martin Jol brought on subs to save the troops for Spurs on Sunday, and one of them, Steve Sidwell, rose highest to head goalwards and bring a great save from the keeper.

However, Sidwell hammered the rebound firmly back past him to keep alive the Europa League dream in west London.