Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has set his side a target of eight more big performances to ensure their Premier League survival.
Brian McBride’s second half header against Everton settled a hard-fought contest at Craven Cottage to boost Fulham’s survival hopes.
The powerful American gave Fulham a physical presence they have lacked this season and Hodgson feels the veteran striker could yet fire his side to safety.
“We knew we had to get the victory,” Hodgson said.
“When you are fighting for your life at the bottom, the motivation is always going to be that little bit stronger than when you are trying for fourth place and the Champions League.
“I thought it was a good performance by the team in every respect and the goal that won the game was a worthy winner.
“Brian is an experienced player. He is 36 and a talismanic figure at the club. It was just that little bit of quality that was needed because both teams were defending and fighting hard.
“We have got eight extremely important matches and if we want to stay up we have got to reproduce this performance eight more times.
“We’ve only got three more home games. I don’t need reminding we have not won away from home but if we are going to get the necessary number of victories we need, a couple are going to have to be away from home.
Hodgson continued: “We did well today but there is still a lot of work to do. We are working at it.
“I have got to be positive and today against a good team vying for fourth place in the league, I would defy anyone to say there was a major class difference between the two teams.
“I am pleased with the hunger, appetite and desire of the players. When I came here things were not good and the players were beginning to hang their heads.
“But people have stood up to be counted. Morale is always low when teams are losing. That is a fact of life.
“Confidence comes when you are playing well and winning. If you not playing well and losing then you can speak until you are blue in the face but the first time a couple of passes go astray, then the confidence goes out of the window.
“If you work very hard with the players on the training ground every day and keep the mood in the squad as good as it can be, then you have got a chance.”
