Fulham overcome Wigan

Monday, 24, Apr 2006 09:54

Steed Malbranque scored to allow Fulham to secure a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic at Craven Cottage.

Fulham started the sharper of the two sides as Malbranque missed from a rebound with just three minutes on the clock.

From then on, Wigan took control of the first half and stunned the Craven Cottage crowd who are used to seeing impressive home performances this season.

Antti Niemi made a superb stop from the Scottish midfielder Gary Teale who looked certain to have given Wigan the lead.

On 23 minutes Teale was in the action again, this time he played in a perfect back post cross and Jason Roberts should have hit the target with his header.

Henri Camara was the latest Wigan player to make a mess of a good attacking opportunity before Fulham took a shock lead.

Just before the interval the quiet Luis Boa Morte finally sprung to life and played a perfect through ball for Malbranque who curled into the top corner to give the home side an undeserved 1-0 lead.

Chris Coleman must have a word or two to say at the interval as the Cottagers came out a completely different side in the second half.

Brian McBride and Heider Helguson were both flagged offside in good positions and Malbranque began to assume control of the midfield.

Wigan had the odd glimpse of goal and David Connolly slipped when he should have score in the dying minutes but Fulham ground out another home win to make Premiership safety a certainty.