Fulham ended a run of four successive defeats with a narrow win against
struggling Albion.
In a match they dominated they were forced into desperate defence against
visitors who suddenly gained the desire to attack after Fulham scored their 48th-minute winner.
Fulham's problem in the league has been scoring goals - none of their players
had found the net since November 26.
That ended on Saturday but it took a penalty to
do it.
Graham Potter tussled with Barry Hayles and finally brought him down but after
their showing in the penalty shoot-out against Leicester, the home fans wondered
who would take it.
But German international Karlheinz Riedle stepped up
confidently and placed his shot wide of goalkeeper Chris Adamson.
In the first half Fulham had played some clever passing football without every
worrying the young keeper.
After 11 games without a win it was no surprise that Albion packed their
defence, were happy to clear the ball anywhere, and were not against a bit of
time-wasting.
Fulham's best effort came from Bjarne Goldbaek whose header was blocked by
Lars Sigurdsson, the Icelandic international who had Albion's only first-half
threat, a fierce shot that Andy Melville was glad to head over the bar.
Following Riedle's penalty Albion were a side transformed.
They brought on an
extra striker to support Lee Hughes and forced the Londoners back into their own
half.
Goalkeeper Maik Taylor had to make a succession of good saves, his best a leap
to tip over Mark Angel's effort in the 78th minute and then a dive to keep out a
fierce shot from Richard Sneekes four minutes from time.
Fulham threatened in breakaways but never looked convincing.
The win will have
done their confidence a power of good and the points will hopefully stop their
slide down the table.
Teams
Fulham: Taylor, Melville, Morgan, Symons, Finnan, Goldbaek,
Clark, Ball, Phelan (Collins 76), Riedle (Peschisolido 80),Hayles.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Hayward, Davis.
Booked: Ball, Melville.
Goals: Riedle 48 pen.
West Brom: Adamson, Van Blerk, Flynn, Carbon, Quinn, Sneekes,
Oliver (Evans 55), Chambers (Raven 85), Sigurdsson,Potter (Angel 76), Hughes.
Subs Not Used: Miller, McDermott.
Booked: Sigurdsson, Carbon, Hughes.
Att: 12,044
Ref: C Foy (St. Helens).
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