Fulham see off Hammers in derby clash

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Fulham 3 West Ham 1

Hugo Rodallega’s header and Joey O’Brien’s injury-time own goal gave struggling Fulham a morale-boosting derby victory.

The Whites led through Dimitar Berbatov’s opener before Kevin Nolan replied for West Ham early in the second half.

But Rodallega, whose pace made him a threat throughout, put them back in front a minute later.

And the win was sealed when the ball went in off O’Brien after substitute Mladen Petric attempted to force home the rebound following keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s parry from Rodallega’s shot.

Berbatov celebrated his 32nd birthday by putting Fulham ahead in the 11th minute, heading in Damien Duff’s right-wing free-kick at the far post.

West Ham finished the first half strongly and Nolan missed a good chance when he headed wide from Mohamed Diame’s cross.

Nolan made no mistake three minutes after the break – and Berbatov was at fault for the equaliser.

The Bulgarian allowed Nolan to spin away from him and collect Mark Noble’s quickly taken free-kick before firing into the bottom.

But Martin Jol’s men hit back immediately, with Rodallega managing to beat three defenders to meet Duff’s excellent cross from the left.

Fulham had to ride their luck before the all-important third goal, not least when the recalled Philippe Senderos was given the benefit of the doubt by referee Chris Foy after the ball struck his hand inside the area.

Senderos had another let-off when Nolan turned away from him to leave the Hammers midfielder in an almost identical position to the one from which he had levelled.

This time, however, Nolan saw his low shot brilliantly tipped away by keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Duff, Karagounis (Baird 65), Sidwell, Rodallega, Ruiz (Dejegah 65), Berbatov (Petric 75).
Subs not used: Etheridge, Frimpong, Hughes, Davies.

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