Fulham 2 West Bromwich Albion 0

Last updated : 22 February 2009 By Footymad Previewer
The former Tottenham and West Ham forward had not found the net in five months but broke the deadlock on the hour to lift the hosts up to eighth and leave the visitors deep in relegation trouble.

West Brom went into the game having lost eight of their last nine away league fixtures, while Fulham had the second best home record in the division after Manchester United, having won an impressive seven of their 11 games in west London.

So it was no surprise that it was the hosts who started the stronger, with skipper Danny Murphy going close to opening the scoring after just four minutes.

There was an air of anticipation as the former Liverpool midfielder lined up a free-kick 25 yards out. He swerved it over the wall perfectly but was denied by a fine finger-tip save by Scott Carson, who pushed the ball onto the post before Abdoulaye Meite hacked it clear.

But there would have been nothing Carson could have done if Clint Dempsey's wonderful 30-yard drive had been a couple of inches to the left as it arced over the keeper before hitting the post and somehow bouncing clear.

Fulham just couldn't turn their chances into goals and were denied by the woodwork for a third time just after the half-hour mark as Murphy casually swung an effort from 25 yards onto the top of the crossbar with Carson floundering.

And Leon Barnett almost headed past his own goalkeeper before Zamora wasted a fine chance as Tony Mowbray's visitors gamely hung on until half-time.

With Fulham in mid-table and West Brom bottom the visitors' desire for the points should have been the greater - but when the second half began they were still being comprehensively outplayed.

And eventually it was to be Zamora who made them pay on the hour mark as he scored his first league goal since September 13.

It was a true poacher's strike as the £5million summer signing from West Ham ghosted in at the back-post to guide home Andy Johnson's flicked header from John Paintsil's cross.

And Roy Hodgson's side took their cue to put the game to bed - which they soon did through Johnson as the £15million strike-force proved their worth.

There seemed little on when Zamora collected a long ball but he strode past Barnett and unleashed a shot that Carson could only parry, allowing Johnson to stroke home the rebound.

And West Brom couldn't even manage a late consolation as Mark Schwarzer saved Roman Bednar's stoppage-time penalty as the visitors left Craven Cottage with exactly what they deserved - nothing.