Fulham midfielder John Collins has saluted Barry Hayles’ perseverance after the unheralded forward fired home the equaliser against Chelsea yesterday.

The Jamaican international bagged a 56th minute leveller to secure a share of the spoils in the SW6 derby for Jean Tigana’s side and further his own claims for a first-team spot.

Collins told The Mirror:

A lot of people thought Barry would be out of the door when Steve Marlet came here. But you need four strikers to cope in the Premiership, and competition for places is what you need. Barry has responded really well and it was great for him to get the goal.”