Nevland boosts Fulham´s push for Europe

Erik Nevland boosted Fulham’s push for Europe as the Norway striker clinched a 1-0 victory over Stoke on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson’s team moved into seventh place thanks to Nevland’s goal and can seal the last spot in next season’s Europa League by winning their last four matches.

Stoke are still almost certain to avoid relegation but Tony Pulis’s side will have to wait a little longer to confirm their survival after a 12th away defeat this term.

Stoke made a lively start and Rory Delap sent an angled drive high over the crossbar before Bobby Zamora scrambled a Liam Lawrence corner clear.

Zamora limped off soon after with former Manchester United striker Nevland on in his place.

Fulham gradually began to find some momentum and Hodgson’s side took the lead in the 29th minute with a perfectly executed break.

Nevland raced clear of Glenn Whelan on the halfway line before picking out Johnson on the right flank.

Johnson whipped a low cross into the penalty area and Nevland timed his run to finish from eight yards.

The Cottagers suffered another injury blow when Johnson was replaced by Diomansy Kamara and, while they struggled to adapt, Stoke winger Lawrence sent a 25-yard angled drive just wide.

Fulham should have made it two in the 39th minute when Murphy and Paul Konchesky engineered an opening with a well-worked free-kick. But Dickson Etuhu somehow put Konchesky’s cross over the bar from point-blank range.

Stoke were able to gain a foothold in the game after the break, with Lawrence’s effort well held by Schwarzer in the 60th minute.

Ryan Shawcross almost levelled for Stoke when he rose to meet a corner from Lawrence but his effort bounced over the crossbar in the 68th minute.

Ricardo Fuller then squandered another chance by blasting his angled drive high over the bar.

Fuller went close in the 83rd minute when he sent a header flashing across the six-yard box, but Stoke couldn’t fashion the equaliser their pressure deserved.