Fulham came from behind to beat 10-man West Ham United as a second-half strike from Dimitar Berbatov handed them victory at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
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The visitors had the perfect start to the game when a long free kick from Jussi Jaaskelainen fell to Mohamed Diame inside the penalty area and he fired the ball home.
The Hammers thought they had doubled their lead when Diame whipped a ball into the box and Kevin Nolan met it with a header at goal, but he was denied a sure goal by David Stockdale.
Fulham came close to getting back into the game from a corner as Fernando Amorebieta headed at goal but his effort was cleared off the line by Modibo Maiga. However, the Cottagers were level minutes later when Sidwell met Damien Duff's corner and steered his header into the net.
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Rene Meulensteen's side almost took the lead as Adel Taarabt raided forward but saw his effort clatter off the post from a shot on the edge of the area.
Just before the break, Nolan was dismissed after he kicked out Amorebieta and Mark Clattenburg showed him a straight red card.
After half time, Fulham upped the ante trying to make their one-man advantage count as John Arne Riise and Park went close but were denied by Jaaskelainen.
Taarabt should have given his side the lead when he met a cross looped to the back post by Duff but he was somehow denied by Jaaskelainen and on the rebound he scuffed his shot wide of the target.
However, Fulham did take the lead when Berbatov struck as Alexander Kacaniklic crossed into the area, which was mis-hit by Scott Parker but the ball fell to the Bulgarian at the back post and he slotted his effort home.
Darren Bent had the chance to secure the three points but he missed a one-on-one chance with Jaaskelainen, giving the Hammers hope of trying to force a late leveller, but Fulham held firm to secure the win.
Simon Sinclair
