Harry Wilson set up two Fulham goals before scoring their third as they inflicted a seventh straight Premier League defeat on Burnley.

In an entertaining first half, the visitors led when the Wales forward's low corner inexplicably beat Clarets full-back Quilindschy Hartman - who was supposedly defending the near post - allowing Emile Smith Rowe to divert in from three yards.

Despite their dismal form, Burnley responded well - Bernd Leno was alert to smother an opening for Lesley Ugochukwu but could do nothing when the midfielder prodded low into the corner from Josh Cullen's through ball to level.

However, Fulham were gifted a second just after the half-hour mark as Calvin Bassey was allowed to head home uncontested, in a crowded penalty area, after a fine control and cross from the excellent Wilson.

Scott Parker's hosts had chances either side of half-time, Ugochukwu and Jacob Bruun Larsen denied by Leno, but fell 3-1 behind to a classy guided shot into the far corner by Wilson - who was picked out by Samuel Chukwueze.

The game meandered along after that until substitute Zian Flemming's powerful shot was shovelled wide, which built some Burnley momentum.

Right-back Oliver Sonne scored his first goal for the club, with a composed side-footed finish, but it was too little too late and they will rue their haphazard defending earlier in the match.

Burnley remain five points from safety, a gap which could widen after Sunday's games, while Fulham rise to 13th and have a seven-point cushion over the bottom three after ending an extraordinary 34-game winless run at Turf Moor - stretching back to 1951.

In the past three Premier League seasons, former Liverpool player Wilson had made more appearances as a substitute than as a starter.

Injuries have undoubtedly played a part but he was also seen as something of a luxury player - able to turn a game on its head with moments of brilliance, but perhaps not someone you could hang your hat on for 90 minutes week in week out.

This season has been a different story.

Wilson came off the bench in two of his first three league appearances this term, but he has started 12 of Fulham's past 13 games - repaying Marco Silva's new-found faith in him with five goals in that period.

His recent purple patch includes a hat-trick for Wales against North Macedonia last month.

His second assist at Burnley was exquisite - taking the ball down out of the sky and crossing right on to the head of Bassey, who could not really miss given the lack of adequate marking.

And his finish for Fulham's third has become his trademark. Wilson does not seem to be a scorer of 'normal' goals.

With the Cottagers lacking a prolific striker this season, his output looks like it could be the difference between Fulham being in a relegation dogfight and staying clear of the scrap.

Burnley had 16 shots, eight on target and had an expected goals (xG) of 2.52 - totals which you would expect to be enough to win a game.

But it is their wretched defensive record which is costing them as we approach the midway point of the season.

Parker's side conceded just 16 goals in 46 Championship matches last season, a quite unbelievable record.

And, while no-one expected his side to maintain those kind of numbers at this level, the general standard of their defending has been surprising as well as bitterly disappointing.

Hartman did well to thwart Wilson on the counter-attack before half-time but that was not enough to cancel out his feeble attempt at clearing an average corner, which allowed Fulham a simple opener from three yards.

And just as poor was the marking for the visitors' second - three Burnley defenders all within a couple yards of Bassey but not one of them contested the header.

It is not just the club who are on a horrific run of defeats - Parker himself has now lost 23 of his past 30 Premier League matches, across spells with Bournemouth and Fulham, with only Daniel Farke losing a higher ratio (67%) among managers with 50+ games in the division.

Burnley visit Bournemouth in the Premier League next Saturday (15:00 GMT) before embarking on their festive schedule.

Fulham play in midweek, away at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday (20:15), before returning to league action at home to Nottingham Forest on Monday, 22 December (20:00).