Goals from Paul Peschisolido and captain Chris Coleman clinched Fulham’s first away win in the First Division as Paul Bracewell’s side ran out comfortable winners in the rain at Port Vale this afternoon.
The Londoners had the better of the early stages with Geoff Horsfield narrowly failing to chip Paul Musselwhite after spotting the home goalkeeper off his line before Sean Davis and Steve Hayward went close to an opener. Peschisolido fired Fulham in front nine minutes before the break with the Canadian striker slotting clinically past the Vale goalkeeper after being found in the area by Hayward.
The hosts began the second half with greater ambition and put Fulham under a degree of pressure but couldn’t create a clear-cut chance. They were punished when Coleman rose majestically to head home a right-wing corner from Hayward and give the Whites a two-goal cushion. The Cottagers were able to see out the remainder of the game professionally to secure a first league win away from home under Bracewell’s management with both substitute Stan Collymore, who had items thrown at him by the home support as he warmed up, and Paul Trollope spurning opportunities to extend Fulham’s lead further in the latter stages.
PORT VALE (4-4-2): Musselwhite; Carragher, Tankard, Gardner, Butler; Eyre (Rougier 54), Minton, Barker (Foyle 64), Brammer; M. Bent, Naylor. Subs (not used): Glennon, Burns, Bogle.
FULHAM (5-3-2): Taylor; Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Coleman (Morgan 88), Symons; Davis, Hayward, Trollope; Horsfield (Collymore 75), Peschisolido (Hayles 75). Subs (not used): Hahnemann, W. Collins.
BOOKED: Melville, Peschisolido.
GOALS: Peschisolido (36), Coleman (56).
REFEREE: Mike Jones (Chester).
ATTENDANCE: 6,130.
