Louis Saha made a dream comeback from injury to score the goal of the game as Fulham thumped Birmingham 3-1 in an exciting FA Cup third-round tie at Loftus Road.
The 27-year-old French striker has been out since September with a hamstring problem but he returned a fortnight ahead of schedule to help the Cottagers - semi-finalists last season - into tomorrow's fourth-round draw.
Saha turned Birmingham captain Jeff Kenna in the 46th minute and fired past a stationary Nico Vaesen for a fine goal.
Facundo Sava put Fulham ahead after 10 minutes when taking a Steed Malbranque pass in his stride and dispatching a low shot into the bottom corner via Vaesen's glove.
Bjarne Goldbaek doubled the Londoners' lead 12 minutes later, reacting first to seize on Robbie Savage's half-clearance and dancing past Darryl Powell and Joey Hutchinson to score inside the far post.
Birmingham were ineffective up front and manager Steve Bruce hauled off strikers Clinton Morrison and Jovan Kirovski at half-time.
The visitors were hit with a cruel blow 60 seconds after the restart when Saha struck Fulham's third to put the tie beyond doubt.
Stern John volleyed home a consolation goal for Birmingham in injury time.
PA