English FA Premiership/Fulham 1 Wigan Athletic 0: Fulham climbed two places to 14th in the Premiership with victory over Wigan but Paul Jewell will be wondering how his side left Craven Cottage empty-handed.

Wigan dominated the first half but were dealt a cruel blow when Steed Malbranque showed a clinical touch to claim his fifth goal of the season completely against the run of play.

Malbranque pounced in first-half injury-time and Fulham's players had to endure the humiliation of being booed from the pitch by their fans despite having just scored, so bad was their performance.

Disinterested and lethargic, they allowed Wigan free rein over Craven Cottage and would have been out of the game but for some wasteful finishing.

Jason Roberts, the impressive Gary Teale and Lee McCulloch missed chances to put Wigan ahead and their interval deficit was a huge injustice.

But Fulham approached the second half with far greater purpose and with the magnificent Malbranque weaving his magic, they had turned the match into a meaningful contest.

Last night's defeat has put a major dent in Wigan's aspirations of qualifying for the Uefa Cup but Jewell will take small comfort from a lively and confident display.

Wigan finished the match the stronger with David Connolly missing a glorious late chance to snatch a point.

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.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).