Fulham 3 Blackpool 0:Fulham edged closer to Premier League survival with a comprehensive victory over relegation-threatened Blackpool at Craven Cottage. Bobby Zamora's five-minute double salvo in the first half proved the catalyst as the Cottagers climbed into the top half of the table.

The 30-year-old showed great composure to latch onto a wayward James Beattie pass and smash home in the 23rd minute before heading home Damien Duff’s right-wing free-kick five minutes later for his first goals since August – which also came against the Tangerines.

Dickson Etuhu settled the result with a 72nd-minute tap-in to secure Fulham’s fifth home win in six matches.

It was the home side who controlled the opening proceedings, with Moussa Dembele regularly testing Alex Baptiste down the left and skipper Danny Murphy seeing a low drive blocked.

Charlie Adam blazed over Blackpool’s first chance in the ninth minute, although his 35-yard effort never looked like it would add to his nine-goal haul this season.

Despite the midfielder’s shot, it was Fulham who were looking the most dangerous and they hit the post in the 16th minute.

Carlos Salcido’s left-wing cross was headed back by Zamora to Dembele, whose superb lay-off was met by an equally well-struck shot by Duff that goalkeeper Richard Kingson did well to tip onto the woodwork.

However, the Ghana international could do nothing to prevent Zamora’s smashed drive in the 23rd minute as he latched onto Beattie’s poor backpass and ran clear before finishing with aplomb.

Fulham continued to threaten and Zamora netted his second of the afternoon five minutes later.

The England international out-leaped Craig Cathcart in the six-yard box to nod in Duff’s whipped free-kick, to the delight of the home faithful.

However, the crowd’s exuberance was tempered somewhat in the play that followed as the visitors began to get a foothold in the game and started to open up the Fulham defence.

After thwarting the visitors, Fulham’s calls for a 38th-minute penalty were waved away by referee Stuart Attwell, who deemed Stephen Crainey’s slide on Duff hard but fair.

Fulham wrapped up the victory in the 72nd minute with their third of the afternoon through Etuhu.

Murphy’s free-kick was thumped off the post by Clint Dempsey and the rebound was fired across goal by Brede Hangeland for Etuhu to net.