Latics unlucky as Fulham win

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

The Latics 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 the Latics 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.

Wigan could still have equalised and even won the game as their rapid passing and silky movement created plenty of openings, but they lacked composure at crucial moments.

The defeat has put a major dent in their aspirations of qualifying for the UEFA Cup but Jewell will take small comfort from a lively and confident display. Fulham created the opening chance with just three minutes on the clock when a missed clearance fell to Malbranque, only for the alert Michael Pollitt to save his deflected shot.

The Cottagers were carved open themselves when Teale darted into the box, rounded Wayne Bridge and pulled the trigger, but the fingertips of Antti Niemi prevented Wigan taking the lead.

McCulloch had a shot blocked on the edge of the area and a heartbeat later Fulham countered, Luis Boa Morte dispossessing Teale before finding Bridge.

The England left-back hit a perfect cross to Brian McBride at the far post but the USA striker could not get enough power on his header and Pollitt reacted.

Teale again made inroads down the right in the 23rd minute, this time finishing his run with a lofted pass to Roberts but the Wigan skipper nodded wide, wasting a good chance.

Scrappy play plagued both sides but Wigan looked the more assured in attack, unlocking Fulham's defence in the 29th minute only for McCulloch to bring the move to a disappointing end with a weak header.

The Cottagers were now being thoroughly outplayed with Wigan spraying the ball around at will, their job made easier by their opponents' reluctance to press.

Teale, Wigan's most dangerous player, again found space but the 27-year-old miscued his shot.

Some home fans vented their anger at Fulham's lethargic display by sounding a chorus of boos and their mood did not improve when Henri Camara made a mess of yet another Wigan attack.

But amazingly the Cottagers then took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Boa Morte threaded a pass between two Wigan defenders to Malbranque who finished beautifully.

Heidar Helguson went close and then mis-hit a blocked shot from Malbranque as Fulham made a lively start to the season half.

McBride and Helguson were caught offside in dangerous positions with Malbranque pulling the strings and harrying the Wigan defence at every available opportunity.

A Teale cross was dealt with in the nick of time by New Zealand midfielder Simon Elliott as chances began to fall at both ends.

The tempo of the match had increased noticeably with Malbranque continuing to catch the eye in what had become a finely-balanced contest.

A blistering shot from Jimmy Bullard was well saved by Niemi who had to show lightning reactions to keep the ball out.

Roberts had the ball in the net in the 76th minute but referee Rob Styles had already blown the whistle with the preceding free-kick not taken in the correct position.

Malbranque's presence meant Wigan could not rest easy but they finished the match the stronger with David Connolly missing a glorious late chance to snatch a point.