Fulham move out of relegation zone with win against Birmingham

12:52pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

Fulham won 2-0 at Craven Cottage against Birmingham on Saturday to move out of the relegation zone with one game of the season remaining.

Both teams went into the game in the bottom three, knowing that a win would ensure a crucial three points in the race for survival.

This pressure ensured a nervy opening to the match, with few clear-cut chances; however, Simon Davies' side footed effort was saved at full stretch by ex-Fulham goalkeeper Maik Taylor.

Birmingham also had a chance to take the lead, but Mikael Forssell was unable to hold his composure in front of goal after a Sebastian Larsson cross with nearly half an hour gone.

Forssell again had another chance minutes later, but Aaron Hughes denied the Birmingham striker from making any clear contact with the ball.

Fulham could have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time, but Diomansy Kamara, starting after his two-goal cameo against Manchester City the previous weekend, was denied by Radhi Jaidi.

Fulham came out from half-time looking stronger and, five minutes in, Brian McBride tested Taylor with a 20-yard strike.

Moments later, McBride opened the scoring, latching on to a Jimmy Bullard free-kick to head past Taylor.

The atmosphere at Craven Cottage was electric, with the home crowd really getting behind their side, and this seemed to spur the ever confident Kamara into a mazy run, beating three men but firing well over.

However, Birmingham substitutes Mauro Zarate and Cameron Jerome were causing Fulham problems and threatening to give Birmingham an equaliser, but were unable to make any real chances, while the immense Brede Hangeland was stopping anything that came at him.

As Birmingham pushed forward, gaps were starting to appear in their defence and Clint Dempsey headed a Davies cross just over.

Fulham did get their second in the 88th minute, when a Franck Queudrue mistake sent Erik Nevland through on goal, leaving the Norwegian to fire past Taylor.

Fulham could have increased their lead if it wasn't for Taylor - he pushed over a Danny Murphy free-kick, and saved low from a David Healy as Fulham controlled the four added minutes.

The result took Fulham out of the drop zone, above Birmingham, who are one point below them on 32, and above Reading on goal difference, approaching the final weekend of the season.

Fulham: Keller 7, Stalteri 7, Hughes 7, HANGELAND 9, Konchesky 7, Davies 8, Bullard 6 (Andreasen 88, 6), Murphy 6, Dempsey 6 (Healy 90, 6), McBride 8, Kamara 8 (Nevland 67, 8).Birmingham: TAYLOR 8, Kelly 6, Jaidi 6, Ridgewell 6 (Queudrue 46, 4), Murphy 6, Larsson 7, Muamba 7, Johnson 6, Kapo 6 (Zarate 58, 6), Forssell 6 (Jerome 74, 7), McFadden 7.Man of the Match: Brede Hangeland (Fulham).

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