Two Glenn Murray goals have put Albion in a commanding position at Craven Cottage.
Murray scored after just three minutes then again just after the quarter hour after great acrobatic play by Pascal Gross.
David Propper, still awaiting his first Albion goal, agonisingly hit the bar.
And Shane Duffy cleared an Andre Schurrle effort off the line.
Before the break Murray even had a chance to complete a first-half hat trick.