Louis Saha made a dream comeback from injury to score the goal of the game as Fulham thumped Birmingham 3-1 in an exciting FA Cup third-round tie at Loftus Road.

The 24-year-old French striker has been out since September with a hamstring problem but he returned a fortnight ahead of schedule to help the Cottagers - semi-finalists last season - into Monday's fourth-round draw.

Saha span Birmingham captain Jeff Kenna in the 46th minute and fired past a stationary Nico Vaesen for a fine strike, demonstrating the cutting edge absent from Fulham's game for much of November and December.

The only downside for Cottagers chief Jean Tigana today was the feeble attendance - just 9,203 despite ticket prices reduced to just £15 - and the news fans have called a public meeting later this month to protest about the club's plans to quit their traditional home at Craven Cottage.

Facundo Sava fired Fulham into the lead with 10 minutes gone, taking a Steed Malbranque pass in his stride and dispatching a low shot into the bottom corner via Vaesen's glove.

Bjarne Goldbaek doubled the Londoners' lead 12 minutes later, reacting first to seize on Robbie Savage's half-clearance and dancing past Darryl Powell and Joey Hutchinson to score inside the far post.

Birmingham were ineffective up front - but despite Steve Bruce hauling off strikers Clinton Morrison and Jovan Kirovski at half-time, Saha responded within 60 seconds of the restart with his goal.

Stern John volleyed home a consolation goal for Birmingham in injury time, but the margin of this defeat was exactly what the disjointed Blues deserved - and in truth, Fulham could have run out far more comfortable winners.

Birmingham's Senegalese defender Ferdinand Coly made his debut after signing on loan from Lens.

Fulham forward Steve Marlet's hamstring injury gave Saha the opportunity to make his first appearance after his lay-off.

Jon Harley started at left-back following his recall from Sheffield United, where he has been on loan.

The Londoners' early pressure paid off with the opening goal in the 10th minute.

Sean Davis slipped the ball to Malbranque, who in turn fed Sava. The Argentinian advanced into the penalty area and unleashed an angled drive which Vaesen got his glove to but could not keep out.

Bruce's men hit back immediately, with Martin Grainger bringing a sprawling save from Maik Taylor with a 20-yard free-kick.

Paul Devlin and Saha exchanged shots over the top as the pace of the game moved up a gear.

Fulham doubled their lead with 22 minutes on the clock thanks to a fine piece of skill by Goldbaek.

The Danish winger was first to react when Savage half-cleared to the edge of his penalty area.

Goldbaek raced onto the loose ball, jinked past Powell and Hutchinson and fired past Vaesen and into the far corner.

Birmingham centre-back Kenna almost increased his side's problems when he was caught in possession. Under pressure from Sava and Malbranque, he recovered just in time and poked the ball back to Vaesen.

Saha scuffed a shot wide six minutes before the break as Fulham continued to pose the greater threat up front.

Despite Bruce's half-time introduction of John and Craig Fagan, Fulham roared into a 3-0 lead within a minute of the whistle.

Saha turned Kenna 16 yards out and curled the ball into the bottom right corner past Vaesen, who bemusingly remained rooted to the spot as the ball whistled past him.

Sava should have made it 4-0 two minutes later - but after excellent support play by Saha and Malbranque, he lifted his 15-yard effort over the crossbar.

Taylor maintained the home side's three-goal advantage when he kept out substitute Fagan's shot.

Only a smart block by Vaesen denied Saha his second in the 64th minute. Saha skinned Hutchinson and the keeper saved well with his feet.

Birmingham offered some resistance as the game reached the half-way point in the second half - although Savage was more concerned with continuing his running argument with ref Barry.

Goldbaek sent a 25-yard deflected free-kick skidding past the far post in the 81st minute.

And another Goldbaek effort a minute later was helped over the top by Davis.

Sava bundled home after John Collins' shot was parried by Vaesen - but the 'goal' was ruled out for offside.

Saha and Davis both hit the woodwork in quick succession late on, before John volleyed home a consolation goal for Birmingham in injury time.

Teams

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Goma, Djetou, Harley, Goldbaek, Davis, Malbranque, Legwinski (Collins 75), Saha, Sava.

Subs Not Used: Herrera, Melville, Willock, Hammond.

Goals: Sava 11, Goldbaek 23, Saha 46.

Birmingham: Vaesen, Kenna, Hutchinson, Coly, Grainger, Devlin (Hughes 68), Savage, Powell, Kirovski (Fagan 45), Morrison (John 45), Damien Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Woodhouse.

Booked: Devlin, Savage.

Goals: John 90.

Att: 9,203

Ref: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).