Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez cheered only the second win of the season for his team and got his substitutions right when sending on on-loan Kuqi and Healy at 1-1.
‘Sometimes they go for you but you can also live or die by substitutions,’ said the former Northern Ireland manager.
‘Martin Jol was pilloried here when he took off Robbie Keane and we hit back for a draw.
‘The introduction of Shefki was quite important. He won his first header and the crowd got behind him. It was a pity in a way he did’t score our second goal but it was his leap that did it and Clint (Dempsey) picked up the pieces.
‘Shefki livened us up and David’s only a sub because he needs to play alongside a big front man. He’s missed Brian McBride but we should have him back from his knee injury before long.
‘I’ve got a lot of forwards here and it is hard squeezing them all into the same team. I’m pleased for David after he missed a similar chance last week. That’s the first time he and Shefki have played together.’
Sanchez admitted the most over-riding feeling was one of relief after Fulham’s first league win since August 16.
But the dismissal of young defender Elliot Omozusi in stoppage time for a second yellow card soured Fulham’s win.
It seemed the 18-year-old made no contact with his tackle right at the end but referee Mark Clattenburg reached for a yellow, a second booking after the youngster barged over Stephen Hunt for his first caution early in the second half.
But Sanchez, a scourge of referees often, spared Clattenburg after the Newcastle official’s poor performance in the Merseyside derby two weeks ago.
The Fulham boss said: ‘I just asked the ref at the end what the card was for but I haven’t been able to see the incident myself yet.
‘I was sad for the player because he had done well in only his second game and is now suspended for Liverpool next week.’
