Fulham 2 West Bromwich Albion 0: SCOTT CARSON has saved more shots than any other goalkeeper this season, but West Bromwich Albion's inability to provide effective cover for him means they have conceded more goals than anyone in the top flight. Their chances of staying up seem slim.

Here Carson was given abundant opportunities to demonstrate his shot-stopping abilities to the watching Fabio Capello, but it is ominous for Albion that neither Carson’s heroics nor the fact Fulham hit the woodwork four times were enough to prevent a comprehensive home victory.

West Bromwich may draw hope from the fact that, while only two points from safety, they are better off than they were when they pulled off their fabled great escape in 2004-05. But, if they afford opponents as much space as they allowed Fulham yesterday it is unlikely they will double their points in the remaining 12 games, which was what they had to do four years ago.

“We tried to be resilient, make life difficult for them and stay in the game for as long as we could,” said manager Tony Mowbray, but there was little evidence of that on the pitch as the home side stroked the ball around virtually unchallenged.

Bobby Zamora was at the hub of much of that Fulham did well, showing the delicate touches required to prolong fluent moves and also serving as a powerful target man. That Zamora offers those virtues has never been in doubt, but a run of 21 league games without a goal led many to question whether Roy Hodgson had erred in spending around €7 million on him. Those critics were given more ammunition when Zamora slashed over the bar after a deft nod down by Clint Dempsey in the 42 minute. Hodgson, however, was soon able to bask in vindication.

John Paintsil flew down the right and sent a cross towards Andrew Johnson. He fluffed his header but the ball rolled across goal and Zamora darted between Leon Barnett and Gianni Zuiverloon to poke it into the net.

Eleven minutes later, moments after Brede Hangeland had headed a Murphy corner against the bar, Zamora killed a long pass on his chest and rocketed a shot that cannoned off Carson’s face and to the feet of Johnson, who placed it into the corner.

Guardian Service