Fulham 0 - 2 Everton

Two goals from Leon Osman could not destroy the mood as Roy Hodgson clinched seventh place and hailed it one of the proudest moments in a 33-year coaching career.

Tears may have flowed on the Tyne and the Tees but it was champagne all round on the banks of the Thames as Fulham qualified for the Europa League despite Everton’s first win at Craven Cottage since 1966.

Tottenham’s defeat at Liverpool confirmed Fulham’s highest ever top-flight finish, not to mention the small matter of £10.64million in prize-money.

‘This rates very highly for me,’ confessed Hodgson, who has won titles in Sweden and Denmark, reached the UEFA Cup final with Inter Milan and led Switzerland to Euro 96.

‘I’ve had a long career and been very lucky. I’ve had quite a few honours come my way. I can look back on many years with pride but I will remember this as one of my very best.

The game drifted occasionally into the realms of a pre-season kickabout and the biggest surprise was that Phil Neville and Steven Pienaar had managed to pick up niggles which will have to be carefully monitored as the week unfolds.

Louis Saha, however, is one player who has discovered full form and fitness in time for Wembley and a summer holiday. He climbed above Aaron Hughes to plant an excellent header against the bar in the third minute and forced a superb fingertip save from Mark Schwarzer in the second half.

But it was Osman who displayed the killer instinct, striking in the closing minutes of each half.

His first was a fine example of Everton’s perpetual movement, with the brilliant Pienaar jinking in from the left and threading a neat pass through Fulham’s back four. Osman darted in from the right, taking care not to stray offside, took the ball in his stride, side-stepped Schwarzer and rolled it into the empty net.

Hodgson’s team enjoyed good spells of possession but rarely looked like pulling level. Bobby Zamora came off the bench to squander two clear chances with trademark inaccuracy and Tony Hibbert cleared off the line from Clint Dempsey in stoppage time.

Osman had already scored his second, two minutes from time, with a beautiful curling left-footer beyond Schwarzer’s dive. It was not enough to spoil the party at Craven Cottage.

‘We’re all going on a European tour,’ sang the home fans, although it will be interesting to see how many of them will be turning up for a tedious group game on a rainy Thursday in November.

Fulham’s only other European campaign, in 2002-03, started in the InterToto Cup on July 6 against FC Haka and consisted of 14 games before they went out to Hertha Berlin in the UEFA Cup third round.

This year, Hodgson has ordered his players back for training on July 1. He will turn his attention to ‘bolstering’ his squad and keeping defender Brede Hangeland from the clutches of Arsenal.

‘We will do everything in our power to keep him,’ said the Fulham boss. ‘But our power sometimes can’t be compared to the power of other clubs.’

Newcastle 0-1 Fulham

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saves a shot from Newcastle United’s Obafemi Martins

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer found himself back in relegation trouble after Mark Viduka was controversially denied an equaliser.

Trailing 1-0 to Fulham as a result of Diomansy Kamara's 41st-minute strike, the Australian thought he had levelled five minutes after the break to give his side a lifeline.

However, referee Howard Webb harshly chalked off his effort for a foul by Kevin Nolan on keeper Mark Schwarzer to dump the Magpies, who played the last half-hour with 10 men after defender Sebastien Bassong had been sent off, back into the mire with just one game remaining in which to save themselves.

Newcastle, who had soon to be out of contract skipper Michael Owen missing with a groin injury in what might have been his final game for the club, went close 12 minutes from time, but Schwarzer pulled off a fine save to deny Obafemi Martins, who had earlier hit the post, and then kept out Nicky Butt's injury-time effort.

They now face a trip to Aston Villa next Sunday knowing even victory might not be enough if other results go against them and with their Premier League status hanging by a thread.

Tyneside was shrouded in dark clouds, both literally and figuratively, as the final whistle sounded and a crowd of 52,114 filed out not knowing whether they will return to watch top-flight football next season.

The euphoria of Monday night's 3-1 victory over derby rivals Middlesbrough, which dragged the club out of the bottom three, had quickly been put to one side with no-one in the Newcastle camp in any doubt the job was nowhere near done.

For much of the first half, Shearer's men looked the more likely to take the initiative, but when they left the pitch at the break, they were trailing and back in trouble.

It might have been so different had Martins' 15th-minute shot not come back off the post after he had played a neat one-two with Nolan, or had Viduka managed to hit the target when presented with a free header, albeit from distance, by Danny Guthrie's cross 10 minutes later.

However, Fulham, who arrived sitting in seventh place in the table and in with a real shout of securing a place in the Europa League, had not just come along for the ride, and served warning of their intent six minutes before the break.

Erik Nevland ran on to Kamara's clever back-heeled pass and curled a shot towards the far post, and keeper Steve Harper was delighted to see it drop inches wide as he flung himself across his line.

But the Magpies did not heed the warning, and they fell behind two minutes later in controversial circumstances.

Danny Murphy's pass found Nevland in acres of space on the right and with the home defence appealing in vain for an offside flag, he raced away before squaring for Kamara, who evaded Bassong and Steven Taylor on the line to fire into the roof of the net.

Former Magpie Aaron Hughes blocked a Jonas Gutierrez shot as Newcastle attempted to hit back immediately, but St James' was once again bathed in anxiety as the players left the pitch at half-time.

Shearer's players returned in determined mood and might have been back in it within two minutes when Martins volleyed a Guthrie cross towards goal, but could not hit the target.

However, they thought they had levelled with 50 minutes gone after Viduka twice got the better of his former Middlesbrough team-mate.

The striker saw his header from a Guthrie free-kick cleared off the line by Dickson Etuhu, but there was nothing anyone could do to keep out his header from the resulting corner with 50 minutes gone.

But the Australia international's joy turned to misery within seconds when Webb ruled Nolan had impeded Schwarzer on the line, although television replays suggested the decision was harsh with the keeper not even appealing.

Newcastle laid siege to the Fulham goal as they sensed the time had come, but they were wasteful in promising positions with Gutierrez particularly guilty.

However, disaster struck on the hour when central defender Bassong was sent off for hauling down Kamara 40 yards from goal, and the Frenchman could have few arguments.

Martins got in 12 minutes from time only to be denied by Schwarzer, and the keeper pulled off a superb injury-time to keep out Butt's effort

Fulham 3-1 Aston Villa

Fulham kept their European dreams alive with a comfortable win over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.

A brace from Diomansy Kamara and a penalty by captain Danny Murphy ensured the Cottagers overcame a poor Villa side who re-established parity at the interval thanks to a strike from Ashley Young.

But Kamara struck twice in the second half to push Fulham into seventh place and keep them on course for a place in next season's Europa League.

Villa remained in fifth spot but only because Everton failed to beat Tottenham at Goodison Park.

Villa had the first chance of the game when Gabriel Agbonlahor fired wide after getting on the end of a headed knock down by John Carew in the first minute.

Seconds later Fulham replied with Erik Nevland heading into the arms of Brad Friedel following a cross from Paul Konchesky.

Fulham took the lead in the seventh minute when James Milner was adjudged to have fouled Kamara inside the penalty area.

Captain Murphy beat Friedel from the spot to put the home side in front.

Nevland should have made it two in the 11th minute when the ball rebounded kindly to him from the feet of Konchesky.

However, the Fulham striker curled the ball over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

But Villa were level in the 14th minute when a cross from Milner eluded the home defence and England international Ashley Young provided the finish at the far post.

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer did well to deal with a cross from Luke Young in the 22nd minute as Carew lurked with intent.

But the home side almost regained the lead in the 31st minute when Kamara's shot was deflected over the crossbar by Stiliyan Petrov.

Murphy's free-kick found Nevland in the penalty area but the Fulham striker headed the ball straight at Friedel.

In the 34th minute, Nevland got on the end of a fine pass from Murphy but his cross into the penalty area was easily cleared by Villa.

Murphy was booked for bringing down Agbonlahor in the 37th minute as the Villa and England striker looked to break free.

Zat Knight, the former Fulham defender, was fooled into fouling Zoltan Gera a minute later, and Murphy's free-kick forced Friedel to make a hash of his attempted clearance.

But the American goalkeeper cleared Konchesky's corner with some authority and a fabulous counter-attack almost brought Villa a second goal.

Agbonlahor led the attack by sprinting from one penalty area to the other before crossing for Ashley Young to force Schwarzer into a fine save at his near post.

But Fulham were back on the attack moments later but Nevland could not rise high enough to meet a cross from Konchesky.

The home side regained the lead in the 46th minute when Luke Young's attempted clearance was charged down by Kamara and the Fulham striker despatched an angled drive beyond Friedel from 18-yards.

In the 52nd minute a Konchesky free-kick found its way through the Villa defensive wall but Friedel dived low to his right to prevent Fulham going further ahead.

Villa were looking decidedly jaded and Agbonlahor failed to hit the target from 20 yards when he was invited to shoot by a back-pedalling Fulham defence.

But Fulham made it three on the hour with Kamara's second goal of the game.

A corner from Murphy was headed down by Brede Hangeland and Kamara supplied the finish with a cheeky backheel inside the six-yard box.

Villa made a double substitution in the 63rd minute with Luke Young and Nicky Shorey replaced by Emile Heskey and Nigel Reo-Coker.

The visitors almost pulled a goal back in the 66th minute but Gareth Barry's clever chip was just too high to trouble Schwarzer.

Milner then caused Schwarzer some concern with a cross that the Fulham keeper did well to hold underneath the bar.

Focus on Kamara: The Fulham striker celebrates his opening goal

But Fulham were in complete control of the game and Kamara was enjoying a particularly impressive afternoon.

The Fulham striker had been a constant thorn in the side of Knight and Curtis Davies.

But it was Gera who should have increased Fulham's lead when he tried his luck from 25 yards. However, his accuracy was lamentable and it was far too high.

Villa continued to look for a way back into the game but O'Neill's side had run out of ideas.

Their lack of inspiration was underlined by a tame effort from Ashley Young who sent his 20-yard shot harmlessly into the arms of Schwarzer with five minutes remaining.

Plenty to celebrate: Ashley Young enjoys the moment after equalising

Nevland committed to Fulham

Erik Nevland has expressed his desire to stay at Fulham after being linked with a return to former club Viking. The Norwegian has had few opportunities to impress since arriving at Craven Cottage in January 2008.

When Erik Nevland answered Roy Hodgson’s call towards the end of January, a duo that once helped steer Viking FK from the brink of relegation, to safety in the Norwegian Premier League, were reunited in an attempt to help plot a similar fate at Fulham. Having already played in England for a brief time with Manchester United earlier in his career, the chance to return to what is arguably the world’s premiere club competition was too much of a lure for Nevland. “It’s the Premier League. It’s the biggest league and the biggest stage to play on and it’s what every player wants.”

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Erik first impressed Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaches by scoring three hat-tricks during a trial at United. For the young Scandinavian, it was too good an opportunity to turn down when United decided to pursue his signature. However, he was fully aware of the challenge that awaited him and that there would be no guarantees of what his future at Old Trafford might hold.

“I scored a hat-trick for the juniors and then the reserves, so I started well when I came over,” says Nevland modestly. “Looking back I have no regrets. It was a great experience for a young lad and it helped turn me into the player I am today. For a young lad from Norway to be able to play for Manchester United, that doesn’t happen every year, so I am pretty proud of that.”

He left England with a lot of memories of happy times in the North West, but there is one that will always stand out. “Scoring at Old Trafford,” Erik answers without hesitation. “I have a lot of fond memories of my time there, like the day they decided to sign me, but scoring in the Cup was a big one for me. There is a lot to look back on with great pride and when I finally call it a day I will look back with pleasure on those times.

“I didn’t go there just assuming that I would play in the Premier League straight away, it was a case of, if I did well then I might get a chance to play in the First Team. I played a few games but not very many, the competition for places made it very difficult. It was really just a chance to test myself.

“I came to learn and I learnt an awful lot, but it got to the stage where you just want to play regularly and as I wasn’t getting that, the chance to move back home and get the games I needed was a good opportunity for me. It gave me the chance to develop more as a player.”

Development and education in the art of striking is something that Erik most certainly received whilst at Old Trafford. He played alongside the immensely successful triumvirate of Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, studying their performances, and it was lessons learned from players such as these, allied to his own skills as a striker, that saw him score 97 goals in just over 200 games during eight years with Viking FK and FC Groningen.

NevlandWhen the Premier League came knocking once more in the shape of an offer from Fulham, swapping Groningen’s challenge for European football, with a relegation dogfight was one that Nevland was happy to take. Another factor was the knowledge that former manager, Roy Hodgson, was at the helm at Craven Cottage. “It was obviously very important coming here and knowing Roy already,” he confirms. “I have worked with him before, I knew what I could expect from him, and he knows what he can expect from me.

“He brings a definite sense of organisation to the team. Everyone is in the right place and knows exactly what their job in the team is. He brings the team together and I think a united team is important anytime, but especially so when you’re struggling at the bottom.”

Nevland has gone from being one of the stars at FC Groningen to being one of many at Fulham. However this scenario does not deter his spirit or dim his excitement about the challenge that awaits; if anything the competition for places spurs him on even more to achieve his goals. “There is a lot more competition for places here than there was at [Viking] Stavanger,” reveals Nevland. “Here I am one of the group, whereas at Stavanger I was one of the more recognised players. I am looking forward to the challenge that awaits.

“I hope I can get on a good run of form, be part of the team and do what I can for the team. I think I am a good team player, so any way I can help, I will. I have to get used to the physical side of the game again in England, it’s a bit more than what I have been used to playing in Holland or Norway, but I need to get used to it quickly so I can make an important contribution to the team.”

Much is often made of the lifestyles of footballers in the 21st Century, but for Erik Nevland, the nearest it got to the glitz and glam of a red carpet event was when he was voted Groninger of the Year in December 2007. Nevland’s life is far removed from flashy functions and London hotspots, his day-to-day activities revolve around a young family, as he explains. “I have two kids and we’re expecting a third one soon, so most of my spare time is spent with my kids and my family. I like quiet time and not a lot of fuss. I am a quiet family man really.”

Yet, like any other player, Nevland thrives on the praise and adulation that comes hand-in-hand with a positive result on a Saturday afternoon. Erik was signed to help score the goals that will propel Fulham up the league table and if he can start that on Saturday against Blackburn, then no doubt the Norwegian striker will happily step out of the shadows for a short time to accept the plaudits.

Fulham 2 - 0 Manchaster United

Great Victory for Fulham, Bad for MANU

YOU!!.. Out..

Sir Alex Ferguson shuffled from the crime scene, looking like an elderly man bemused by the sudden disappearance of all he holds dear. In just eight days, the heart of his team of multi-million-pound footballers has been stolen from in front of his disbelieving eyes.

On a second successive afternoon of abject misery for the Scot, Manchester United finished with nine players on the pitch and a crisis on their hands. If Sir Alex had been enraged when Liverpool sacked their Old Trafford citadel last weekend, his mood on the return north last night can be only imagined.

Just a fortnight ago, United had embarrassed Fulham in a 4-0 FA Cup victory. Yesterday, they played like drowning men, and Ferguson must take his share of the blame.

He gambled with a team selection that demoted Wayne Rooney to a seat on the bench in the sunshine that bathed this fashionably elegant quarter of south west London with a warmth that never permeated the demeanour of United's manager yesterday.

Ferguson could feel only the cold breath of Liverpool on his neck. According to well-informed sources, Ferguson has vented much of his fury in recent days in the direction of Rooney at United's training ground at Carrington.

But if the striker was not deemed necessary to stop the rot set in by that defeat against Liverpool, he must truly have offended his manager.

Ferguson, summoning all his years of experience, opted to drop England's premier forward along with Carlos Tevez, Michael Carrick and Anderson. Before the interval, he had realised the folly of his plan.

Dimitar Berbatov was a listless, ineffectual lone target man, and at half-time, when no one in a United shirt escaped Ferguson's wrath, Rooney was instructed to replace the Bulgarian.

Perhaps in the days ahead, Ferguson will reflect that this had been no occasion to put the family silver at risk on such a reckless call.

Who would you want in a backs-to-the- wall battle? Rooney's belligerence, and renowned allegiance to United? Or Berbatov, a dilettante of a striker whose neat touches complement a team in the ascendancy?

Sadly for Ferguson, by the time Rooney's call came, the red mist was only a short time away. He was summoned only after United were already one goal, and one man down.

Paul Scholes was correctly shown a red card by referee Phil Dowd after he used two hands to prevent a close-range header from Bobby Zamora finding the net in the 17th minute. As soon as he had flapped the ball to safety, Scholes dropped on to his haunches.

His faraway look told its own story. He knew a red card was inevitable and, when it came, he walked disconsolately to the dressing room.

Fulham captain Danny Murphy, cool-as-you-like, sent United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, in the wrong direction from the penalty spot with his fourth Premier League goal against the champions.

Van der Sar, who played for Fulham until Ferguson paid £2million to solve an ongoing problem with filling his goalkeeper's jersey, had to be at his best to prevent United from falling deeper in arrears.

Only after the arrival of Rooney did United at last look capable of mounting a threat. But then Fulham's previously unemployed goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, showed his full repertoire.

He made a stunning double-save, from Ji-Sung Park, and Rooney, who pounced on the rebound, and for an encore made an accomplished save from a flashing header by Cristiano Ronaldo.

In truth, Ronaldo spent too much of the afternoon in his mode of pantomime clown, falling to the ground seeking sympathy for perceived aggrievances only to be mocked by Fulham's fans sensing what they had feared to be a wake was becoming a party down by the riverside.

Rooney - obviously frustrated at being left out - showed us both sides of his mercurial temperament. On the ball, he was hard to contain; but as the clock ran down, so did his patience.

He was booked in the 81st minute for a foul on substitute Olivier Dacourt - and six minutes later Rooney over-reacted to Dowd's whistle by hurling the ball, with child-like petulance, down the field.

Dowd raised a yellow card, then instantly turned it to red. As Rooney left the field, eyes blazing wild, he smashed a corner flag that duly bounced around like a speed ball in gymnasium. He vanished to a cacophony of boos and laughter.

One minute earlier, Zoltan Gera, who had been on the field barely five minutes, scored Fulham's second with a delightful volley after an exquisite first touch.

At the final whistle, Fulham's players revelled in victory, a reward for a performance that had been bright and busy in the first half, and stoic after the interval.

It will be little consolation to Ferguson to hear that his Fulham counterpart Roy Hodgson believes his side had beaten this year's champions.

'United are such a good team with so many good players, I still think they are favourites for the championship this year,' said Hodgson. 'But the last two defeats have given the teams chasing them that little bit more hope.'

And down on the field, Ferguson, in eight short days, had aged with worry as his football team could not respond to a crisis for the second time of asking.

FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky; Davies, Murphy (Dacourt 67min), Etuhu, Dempsey (Gera 81); Johnson, Zamora (Kamara 77). Subs (not used): Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Stoor, Kallio. Booked: Pantsil, Dempsey.

MAN UTD(4-4-2): Van der Sar; O'Shea (Tevez 70), Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs, Park; Ronaldo, Berbatov (Rooney 46). Subs (not used): Foster, Neville, Anderson, Carrick, F Da Silva. Booked: Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Rooney. Sent off: Scholes (18min), Rooney (89). Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).