A double from Sean Davis and a debut goal from Andrejs Stolcers ensured Fulham remained on course for promotion to the Premiership after the Whites ended West Brom’s four-match winning streak at the Hawthorns this afternoon.
Midfielder Davis, who scored a stunning equaliser at Preston North End last weekend, delivered two moments of magic to put Jean Tigana’s team on the way to another important three points against the in-form Albion. The homegrown enforcer, who has enjoyed a new lease of life under the Frenchman at Craven Cottage this season, put the Londoners ahead after just four minutes with a clever backheader after he found space from Bjarne Goldbaek’s corner.
Davis then showcased his sensational long-range shooting with a wonderful strike from thirty yards after spotting home goalkeeper Brian Jensen off his line. His deft chip was perfectly judged and gave the visitors a crucial two-goal cushion after just 28 minutes that quietened the passionate home crowd even further. Des Lyttle did reduce Albion’s arrears with his first goal for the Baggies when he followed up after Maik Taylor had saved well from Richard Sneekes, but Fulham made sure of the points through substitute Stolcers.
The Latvian forward, a £2m signing from Spartak Moscow, made an immediate impression having waited weeks to be granted a Home Office work permit. He wrapped up a deserved victory for Fulham with three minutes remaining when he surged away from the remnants of the home defence and slotted a cool finish beyond Jensen to the delight of the travelling supporters.
Fulham were thoroughly deserving of an excellent away victory, with the quality of their football eventually proving too much for Albion to handle. The hosts gave as good as they got in a keenly contested first half with the lively Sneekes rattling the crossbar from 25 yards and Neil Clement’s powerful left-footed drive forcing a fine save from Taylor. But Davis stole the show as Tigana’s side continue to set an unrelenting pace at the top of the table.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-4-2): Jensen; Lyttle, Chambers, Butler (Quinn 81), Clement; Sneekes, Jordao, Fox, van Blerk (Grant 56); Hughes, Roberts (Taylor 65). Subs (not used): Adamson, Carbon.
BOOKED: van Blerk.
GOAL: Lyttle (71).
FULHAM (4-4-2): Taylor; Finnan, Brevett, Melville; Coleman, Davis, Clark, Goldbaek (J. Collins 61), Fernandes (Stolcers 62); Saha (Boa Morte 75), Hayles. Subs (not used): Hahnemann, Symons.
BOOKED: Goldbaek, Clark, Stolcers, Fernandes.
GOALS: Davis (4, 28), Stolcers (87).
REFEREE: Rob Harris (Oxford).
ATTENDANCE: 22,301.
