MARK Hughes hailed academy graduate Matthew Briggs after starring on his full debut against Port Vale last night.
The Fulham boss witnessed the impressive 19-year-old left-back's first senior start for the club, in the 6-0 drubbing of former Whites boss Micky Adams' at Craven Cottage .
Hughes said, "It was an opportunity to have a look at the young boy.
"He's impressed in training and acquitted himself really well - and did himself no harm and had a massive hand in one of the goals."
It was Briggs' first appearance in a Fulham shirt for over three years since he made his debut for the club at the tender age of 16 years and 65 days, when he became the youngest Premier League player in history against Middlesbrough, coming on as a substitute at the Riverside on the final day of the 06/07 season.
The England U19 International has had to wait a while to get back in his clubs fold, but the youngster from Wandsworth wasted little time in reminding everyone what he is about.
Briggs was at the heart of all of Fulham's best moves in the first 45 minutes and was not afraid to get forward from his left back position- getting onto a ball from Damien Duff in the 10th minute which seemingly looked a lost cause, yet Briggs was able to deliver a deep cross onto the head of Zoltan Gera who tucked the ball home for Fulham's opener.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest Fulham news.
