How Fulmars engage an escorted air attack

Did British carrier fighters succeed mainly because they attacked bombers rather than other fighters?

They also engaged fighters, using fast diving passes through formations to disrupt the incoming attack.

The follow-up questions whether British fighter success says much about fighting enemy escorts. A Fulmar would gain altitude above an approaching raid and dive through the formation at speed. Its pilots would fire during the pass, then bank and try to regain height for another attack. Breaking the formation is the immediate objective, so they need not remain with an enemy fighter for a prolonged engagement. This explains the tactical comparison used to defend the usefulness of a limited Italian carrier air group.