Geoff Horsfield's 17th-minute goal was enough to give Fulham and new caretaker
manager Karlheinz Riedle victory in a hard-fought match against south London
rivals Crystal Palace.
Horsfield, who had missed the past seven games through injury, ran on to a
superb through ball from Steve Finnan, drew goalkeeper Matt Gregg and coolly
planted his shot in the roof of the net.
The goal brought Riedle victory in his first game in charge after 90 minutes
when chances came and were missed at both ends.
But it still looks long odds against the Cottagers launching a concerted run
to nick a Division One play-off place.
Fulham were the better team in the first half, and better finishing from Ed
Lewis - often to moves that he had started - would have given the home side a
comfortable lead by the break.
Towards the end of the half Fulham got careless with their passing, letting
Palace into the game.
Indeed if the visitors' Finnish striker Mikael Forssell - on loan from Chelsea
- had had better luck his team could have won.
Forssell had a great chance in the 62nd minute but missed completely.
He was closer two minutes later with a 20-yard shot that Fulham goalkeeper
Maik Taylor dived to push round the post - and then he followed up with another
20-yarder that was narrowly wide.
Fulham were forced into desperate defence but threatened in breakaways just as
Palace had done in the first half.
The final whistle came as a relief for them.
Teams:
Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Coleman, Morgan (Collins 70),
Goldbaek, Phelan, Hayward, Lewis, Horsfield (Davis 87),
Peschisolido (Hayles 70).
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Symons.
Booked: Lewis.
Goals: Horsfield 17.
Crystal Palace: Gregg, Austin, Mullins, Zhiyi, Foster, Cole,
Linighan, Carlisle (Hunt 80), Morrison, Forssell, McKenzie.
Subs Not Used: Kendall, Woozley, Hibburt, Smith.
Booked: Hunt.
Att: 16,356
Ref: P Richards (Preston).
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