Gary Brazil and Sean Farrell scored the goals as Fulham claimed a crucial three points over relegation rivals Hartlepool United at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Whites survived an early scare when Brian Honour robbed Simon Morgan in the centre circle and sped through the Fulham midfielder being seeing his shot deflected just past Jim Stannard’s right-hand post. The visitors threatened from the ensuing corner with Keith Houchen’s audacious overhead kick flashing fractionally wide.
The home side’s response was swift. Brazil found Ara Bedrossian in space and the Cypriot smacked a 25-yarder against the Hartlepool crossbar with goalkeeper Steve Jones grasping at thin air. Farrell hit a fierce drive that was bravely blocked at source by John MacPhail before a Julian Hails free-kick caused chaos in the visiting penalty area but no-one in a white shirt was able to get a decisive touch.
Brazil broke the deadlock midway through the first half when he hammered a fine volley past Jones from fifteen yards after Mick Tait had failed to clear a Fulham corner. Jones did well to smother a low drive from Farrell just after the goal and Jeff Eckhardt ghosted in to nearly convert a Peter Baah cross after a strong run forward from left back Robbie Herrera.
Don Mackay’s men kept up the pressure early in the second half with Brazil almost flicking in a Baah cross from Fulham’s first attack after the interval. Jones then used his feet to block a Baah volley and, although Nicky Southall miscued a volley wide of the target when well played, the Cottagers remained in the ascendancy. Eckhardt headed over from a corner, but just when the home faithful began to bright Farrell foraged forward having been released by a brilliant Brazil ball and slotted the decisive second goal past Jones with twenty minutes to play.
Farrell almost set up Hails for a third with ten minutes remaining before Stannard sprung into action, spreading himself well to prevent substitute Chris Lynch from reducing Pool’s arrears. Duncan Jupp cleared off the line after it looked like his goalkeeper had been caught out by a looping cross – but Fulham were good value for this important victory.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Herrera, Jupp, Morgan, Bedrossian, Hails, Baah, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Harrison, Angus, Tierling.
BOOKED: Morgan.
GOALS: Brazil (22), Farrell (70).
HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Jones; Tait, Gilchrist, MacPhail, Ingram (Lynch 68); Honour, Southall, Skedd; Wratten (Thompson 68), West, Houchen. Subs (not used): Linyard.
BOOKED: Lynch.
REFEREE: Clive Wilkes (Gloucestershire).
ATTENDANCE: 2,998.
