Birthday boy Berbatov lifts gloom at Cottage

Fulham 3 West Ham 1

After a bright start to the season, the Cottagers’ form has tailed off dramatically and manager Martin Jol admitted in the build-up this clash was “vital” to his struggling side.

That sense of importance was evident from the outset as Fulham came out swinging, with Berbatov nodding home the opener just 10 minutes in.

Replays showed the Bulgarian was in an offside position when Damien Duff sent in the free-kick, but the home side were not complaining after a run of just two league wins in 15.

West Ham have endured similar struggles of late, including a 5-1 hammering at Arsenal in their last league run-out, but showed impressive fight by the Thames, levelling things up through captain Kevin Nolan in the 48th minute.

That lead lasted just a minute, though, as Hugo Rodallega bundled home a Duff cross to put Fulham on course for their second league win of 2013, which was secured in stoppage time when Joey O’Brien inadvertently put into his own goal.

FULHAM: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Duff, Karagounis (Baird 66), Sidwell, Rodallega, Ruiz (Dejagah 66), Berbatov (Petric 75).

WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen, Demel (Taylor 67), Reid, Tomkins, O’Brien, Diame, Noble, Nolan, Jarvis, Joe Cole (Carroll 76), Chamakh (Carlton Cole 56).

Referee: Chris Foy.