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Fernando Amorebieta joined Fulham from Athletic Bilbao in 2013

Bournemouth returned to the top of the Championship on goal difference thanks to a stunning victory at Fulham.

Brett Pitman and Matt Ritchie both scored twice as Fulham had Fernando Amorebieta sent off and conceded five goals for the fifth time this season.

Pitman opened the scoring, Ritchie drilled home the second and Pitman slotted in the third after an hour.

Matt Smith got one back before Amorebieta was dismissed and Ritchie and Steve Cook completed the rout.

Bournemouth's promotion challenge had faltered in recent weeks but after beating Wolves 2-1 in mid-week they scored five - also for the fifth time this term - to overhaul Middlesbrough at the top and enhance their status as the top scorers in the country.

Brett Pitman is in his second spell with Bournemouth after re-joining the club from Bristol City in January, 2013

Pitman scored his first goal in 12 games to put Bournemouth in front after 29 minutes with a left-footed shot and Ritchie then netted his 10th goal of the season with a shot from outside the box.

Pitman made it 3-0 with a superb solo effort after an hour before Smith's explosive finish gave the home side brief hope.

But the Cottagers, with just one win in their previous 10 games, had Amorebieta sent off when the defender tripped Callum Wilson as he raced clear.

Two minutes later, Ritchie drove home a low free-kick to make it 4-1 and six minutes from time Cook lashed an angled shot into the top corner to complete a miserable Friday night for Fulham.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe:

"Thankfully we don't have goal bonuses in the contracts. We took them out.

"During the five games we didn't win the performance levels were still strong. I didn't think there was anything wrong with the team and I think we have proved that.

"When we have that ruthlessness we are hard to stop.

"The lead (at the top of the table) has changed so many times it's almost become the tag no-one wants. That's been the nature of it and it may stay that way until the end of the season, so back-to-back wins are so important."

Fulham manager Kit Symons:

"It looked like top against bottom. All credit to Bournemouth but we are bitterly disappointed with the performance.

"Until we are mathematically safe we have to get as many points as we can. We are conscious of what's below us.

"No one is under any illusions. You only have to look at the table. Everyone is fully aware of where we are."