Fulham 2 Middlesbrough 1:Fulham survived a late flourish to climb four places in the Barclays Premiership with a victory that heaps further pressure on Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate.
Chris Coleman's side had lost four of their last five matches heading into tonight's Craven Cottage showdown but goals from Heidar Helguson and Brian McBride stopped the rot.
Helguson hit the first from the penalty spot after George Boateng had brought down Moritz Volz and McBride doubled the lead with a neat shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
Boro set up a nail-biting finish for the Cottagers when Mark Viduka pounced in the 74th minute following a dreadful goal kick from Antti Niemi but their search for the equaliser met with failure.
Substitute Adam Johnson drew a fine save from Niemi before a clash of heads between Franck Queudrue and Aiyegbeni Yakubu halted play.
Four minutes of injury time were added on but Boro's efforts to grab the equaliser were frustrated as Fulham clung on for victory to afford Coleman a Premiership win over his former Crystal Palace teammate Southgate.
