Bednar gets Baggies bouncing

Roman Bednar scored the only goal of the game at The Hawthorns here on Saturday as West Bromwich Albion saw off visitors Fulham.

The Czech international striker's 61st-minute goal handed the Baggies their second straight win and heightened Fulham fans' fears that this season could be another long battle against relegation.

Albion deserved the victory, having dominated the second half.

Last season's Championship winners West Brom have 10 points from their first seven games back in the top flight, while Fulham, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, have six points from five games.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray brought in striker Ishmael Miller to replace South Korea midfielder Kim Do-Heon, who was ruled out with knee ligament damage. The change meant the Baggies were starting with two strikers for the first time this season.

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson replaced the suspended Andrew Johnson with Clint Dempsey in attack.

Hungary's Zoltan Gera, still a West Brom hero, came closest to opening the scoring in the first half.

The Fulham midfielder placed a shot just wide of the post, with West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson beaten.

Bednar had the best first-half chance for the hosts but his shot went straight at Fulham's Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

After the interval, West Brom defender Ryan Donk, on loan from Dutch side AZ, struck a post with a firm header from Jonathan Greening's deep cross.

The Baggies laid siege to Schwarzer's goal and midfielder Danny Murphy had an effort cleared off the line before Bednar finally unlocked the Cottagers' defence.

Greening's corner was played across the goal by Donk and Bednar was in position to stab the ball in the net.

Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard, who was called up into Fabio Capello's last England squad, had a shot deflected just wide as the visitors attempted a late comback.

Hodgson threw on South Korea striker Seol Ki-Hyeon for Bobby Zamora in the 71st minute but it was Schwarzer rather than Carson who was forced into action, pulling off an excellent close-range save to deny Bednar a second goal.

The 25-year-old also hit the woodwork with a shot from 40 yards out but the former Hearts hitman had already done enough to earn West Brom three very welcome points.