Fulham 1-0 Wigan

Malbranque scored his fifth Premiership goal this season

Fulham made sure of the place in the Premiership for next season with a rather fortunate win over Wigan.

Fulham rode their luck for much of the game, with Antti Niemi making a great save from Gary Teale, while Jason Roberts and Lee McCulloch headed wide.

Wigan paid for their profligacy when Steed Malbranque swept the ball into the net in first half stoppage time.

Fulham had to defend for much of the second half and late in the game David Connolly missed an open goal.

This was only Niemi's seventh game for Fulham since he moved from Southampton in January, but his assured goalkeeping proved key to victory.

As well as making the save of the game to deny Teale early on in the second half, the Finnish goalkeeper did well to hold on to Jimmy Bullard's swerving shot as Wigan searched for an equaliser.

Wigan must be wondering how they left Craven Cottage with nothing to show for the endeavours.

Malbranque tested Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt in the third minute with a deflected shot, but the visitors dominated the first half from then on.

Paul Jewell's side have won more times on their travels than they have at home this season - and it was easy to see why given the fluidity and confidence of their football.

Teale was particularly prominent with some probing runs on the right.

He forced a reaction save from Niemi before crossing to the far post for Roberts to head into he side-netting.

McCulloch then got in front of Liam Rosenior only to head wide, while Roberts set up a good chance for Henri Camara, who scuffed his shot.

Luis Boa Morte had been virtually anonymous up to this point, but as the first-half drew to a close he showed wonderful vision to create the game's only goal.

A precise pass picked out Malbranque among a posse of Wigan defenders, the Frenchman promptly curling the ball past Pollitt.

Heidar Helguson went close with a half-volley that troubled Pollitt immediately after the break, but Wigan soon resumed their control of the game.

Bullard went close with a low shot before creating havoc in the Fulham boss with a free-kick.

Roberts did put the ball into the the net in the 75th minute but his header was disallowed as referre Rob Styles ruled the free kick had been taken too quickly.

Wigan kept going until the very end and should have equalised, Connolly slicing wide with the goal at the mercy after Pascal Chimbonda crossed from the right.

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Fulham manager Chris Coleman:
"If we were lucky to get three points I couldn't give a monkey's.

"We're at the point of the season where we need points. We were booed off at half-time and rightly so.

"Many times this season we have played well and come off with nothing. At least the lads showed a bit of spirit and hung on and I was delighted."

Wigan manager Paul Jewell:
"We didn't have the instinct to get us a goal.

"I don't know what the stats were but if it was a boxing match they'd have asked for it to be stopped I think.

"Our goalscoring record is where we have got to improve next season, and that's the whole team, not just the strikers."

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Fulham: Niemi, Rosenior, Pearce, Knight, Bridge, Malbranque, Diop, Elliott (Christanval 85), Boa Morte, Helguson (Radzinski 72), McBride.
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Volz, John.

Booked: Diop, Boa Morte, Radzinski, McBride.

Goals: Malbranque 45.

Wigan: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Jackson, Henchoz, Baines, Teale (Connolly 87), Bullard, Kavanagh, McCulloch, Camara, Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Johansson, Wright, Ziegler, Thompson.

Booked: McCulloch, Chimbonda.

Att: 17,149.

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).