Berbatov comes to life for Fulham

Fulham 2 Aston Villa 0

Against Aston Villa, the Bulgarian offered a timely reminder he can also be the catalyst for the club’s revival, provided he can be persuaded to stay.

Berbatov had offered encouraging signs of a renewed appetite during the midweek defeat to Tottenham, Rene Meulensteen’s first game in charge. In the manager’s second game, Berbatov went one better, orchestrating a victory that ended a run of seven straight defeats and revived hope that this season can yet be transformed.