Huddersfield's Premiership dreams were ripped apart by a rampant Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Lee Clark scored once in each half and Bjarne Goldbaek completed the rout with a delightful chip to condemn Steve Bruce's side to another year in the First Division.

The home fans taunted Huddersfield's travelling supporters with chants of "Staying down with the Fulham" as news of Bolton's victory at home to Norwich confirmed Huddersfield's fate.

Huddersfield - top of the table earlier in the season - had travelled south occupying the final play-off spot in sixth place, knowing their fate was in their own hands.

Victory over the Cottagers - already out of the play-off picture - would guarantee a play-off spot and even a draw could be enough depending on other results.

But the home side were not content to merely enjoy the bright afternoon sunshine and let Huddersfield have it all their own way in a scrappy but fully committed opening.

Geoff Horsfield glanced over Steve Hayward's third-minute corner and minutes later Huddersfield goalkeeper Nico Vaesen nearly suffered an embarrassing disaster, fumbling Maik Taylor's long clearance towards his own goal as the ball bounced above him.

Chances were few and far between in the tense opening period and Fulham's opening goal was typical of the scrappy exchanges.

Barry Hayles' right-wing cross caused chaos in the Huddersfield defence, Eddie Lewis and Geoff Horsfield both scuffing their shots before Vaesen appeared to bring down Lewis as he went for the loose ball.

As the crowd appealed for a penalty, however, and Huddersfield defenders stood still, Clark reacted quickest to stab home from five yards out.

The frustration of the visitors was becoming apparent with Chris Lucketti and Jamie Vincent booked in quick succession for crunching tackles.

No doubt given a wake-up call at half-time by Bruce, the visitors emerged much more positive in the second half, Martin Smith replacing Scott Sellars at the interval.

Yet Huddersfield still struggled to create a clear-cut chance, Vincent's left-foot free-kick straight at Taylor their best opportunity.

Lucketti then could consider himself fortunate to escape a red card for a second bookable offence after a foul on Hayles before Hayles himself went into the notebook.

Hayles was having an eventful afternoon and two minutes later earned the penalty that put the result beyond doubt.

Steve Jenkins wrestled the Fulham striker to the ground as he chased a through ball into the area and Clark coolly converted from the spot to make it 2-0.

That proved too much for some of the travelling fans and scuffles broke out in the away end with police and stewards forced to step in to restore order.

Within minutes some of those fans were leaving anyway when Bjarne Goldbaek made it 3-0 with a delightful chip over a stranded Vaesen, leaving Huddersfield to ponder what might have been.

Fulham could even have added a fourth, Vaesen saving well with his legs from Hayles' shot but they had already done more than enough despite having nothing to play for - except that is perhaps impressing new manager Jean Tigana who takes charge for next season.

Teams:

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Symons, Phelan, Goldbaek (Davis 84), Hayward, Clark (Ball 84), Lewis (Trollope 56), Hayles, Horsfield.

Subs Not Used: Peschisolido, Neilson.

Booked: Hayles.

Goals: Clark 33, 68 pen, Goldbaek 76.

Huddersfield: Vaesen, Jenkins, Vincent, Heary, Lucketti, Thornley (Hay 73), Beech (Baldry 71), Holland, Gorre, Sellars (Smith 46), Wijnhard.

Subs Not Used: Margetson, A. Armstrong.

Booked: Lucketti, Vincent.

Att: 13,728

Ref: A Leake (Darwen, Lancs).