Dimitar Berbatov put the transfer speculation surrounding his future to one side as he inspired Fulham to victory over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage. The Bulgarian nonchalantly scored a penalty to add to Steve Sidwell's 21st minute strike, allowing the Whites to secure a valuable 2-0 win - their first in seven Premier League games. Fulham started the game brightly and had an early penalty claim turned down on 7 minutes after Berbatov appeared to be pushed in the box. Moments later the Bulgarian was involved again, this time forcing Brad Guzan to tip his header onto the bar from Alexander Kacaniklic's dangerous corner. Aston Villa almost took the lead against the run of play as Christian Benteke flashed a header wide, following some good wing play from Gabriel Agbonlahor. 15 minutes in and Fulham came even closer to breaking the deadlock, Kacanaklic twice having good efforts blocked on the line by a rattled Villa defence. The Whites finally took the lead in the 21st minute, Sidwell dinking the ball over an on-rushing Guzan after Giorgis Karagounis had put the midfielder through on goal. Fulham proceeded to double their lead within 10 minutes, Berbatov calmly slotting home a penalty following Leandro Bacuna's foul on Kacaniklic - who had been put through on goal by the ex-Manchester United striker. Berbatov was running the show, forcing another good save from Guzan after finding space in the box due to a smart one-two on the edge of the area. Fulham started the second half how they had ended the first, a delightful Kacaniklic cross leading to Philippe Senderos drawing a good save from Guzan with a powerful header. Paul Lambert's side endeavoured to get back into the match, but Rene Meulensteen's Fulham were able to cope with any balls into the box as the game moved into the final half an hour. John Arne Riise almost put the game to bed on the 65th minute; the full-back's header denied by the woodwork as Guzan failed to claim Berbatov's cross. This strike of fortune spurred Villa on, who saw successive shots from Andres Weimann and Agbonlahor blocked by a resilient Fulham defence. But Fulham continued to dominate proceedings and, with 15 minutes remaining, more bedlam in the Villa box ensued as substitute Pajtim Kasami's cross was hacked off the line by Ciaran Clark. The Midlands side saw any prospect of a comeback quelled as they had a late penalty claim turned down - despite it looking as though Agbonlahor had in fact been unfairly brought down by Riise. This victory gives Meulensteen his first in charge of Fulham and sees the Whites move up to 18th in the table, only remaining in the relegation places courtesy of an inferior goal difference.
Simon is an NCTJ qualified sports journalist. He has conducted interviews with Tony Adams and Peter Shilton, while also having work published in The Daily Telegraph and The Sun. Follow him on Twitter via @sr_collings.
