Jensen strike increases Addicks woe

Claus Jensen came off the bench to mastermind Fulham's 2-1 victory over former club Charlton and heap more pressure on under-fire Addicks boss Iain Dowie. Fulham had spent most of the match on the defensive until the arrival of Jensen in the 59th minute sparked them into life.

The Denmark midfielder, making his first Barclays Premiership appearance of the season after recovering from a calf injury, helped set up the first for Brian McBride.

He then doubled Fulham's lead just two minutes later with a superb individual goal that has propelled the club above Liverpool into 10th place.

Last week Cottagers boss Chris Coleman told Jensen, who left Charlton in summer 2004 only to be hampered by a succession of injuries, he was playing for his Fulham future.

He is out of contract at the end of the season but will have done his chances of securing a new deal no harm with this match-winning performance.

But for his intervention Charlton would have been leaving Fulham with at least a draw as they had controlled the game until that point with Andy Reid and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink missing chances.

They pulled a goal back in the 78th minute through Darren Bent but could not reduce the deficit any further, increasing doubt over Dowie's future.

Charlton have now won just one of their eight Premiership matches under the former Crystal Palace boss and remain rooted to the foot of the table.

But Dowie could take comfort from a battling display that deserved at least a point with Danish winger Dennis Rommedahl terrorising Fulham in the first half.

Veteran defender Ian Pearce came to Fulham's rescue early on, cutting out a dangerous cross from Bent with Hasselbaink lurking.

Heidar Helguson nodded a Tomasz Radzinski header over the crossbar as Fulham went on the offensive before the Iceland striker was hacked down by Talal El Karkouri who was booked by referee Rob Styles.

McBride smashed a promising shot wide as the Cottagers continued to press and then it was Bent's turn to blaze off target.

There had been few chances in a cagey and finely-balanced opening 20 minutes, although Pearce was on hand to dispossess Hasselbaink just as the Dutchman looked ready to shoot.

A mazy run from Rommedahl left Fulham's defence chasing shadows and the Denmark winger finished the move with a perfect pass to Hasselbaink who blasted the chance straight at Antti Niemi.

Rommedahl, who had made a lively opening, shot narrowly wide moments later and then Fulham skipper Zat Knight was forced to block a Hasselbaink centre.

Charlton were in full control as they sought a way past some resolute defending from Fulham with Rommedahl hitting Bent with one goalbound shot.

Rommedahl continued to provide the Addicks' main attacking threat with the elusive Dane ghosting past Franck Queudrue and setting up Reid who fired wide.

El Karkouri went close with a 25-yard free-kick moments after the interval and then Fulham enjoyed their best attacking moment for some time only for Helguson to direct his shot straight at Hermann Hreidarsson.

A pinpoint cross from Bryan Hughes sailed over Knight and Pearce to Reid but his glancing header raced off target.

It was then Radzinski's turn to catch the eye with a perfect delivery, this time McBride meeting the ball on the volley and forcing a fine save from Scott Carson.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman attempted to breath some life into his side's stale attacking play by bringing on Jensen and the Danish playmaker was soon in the thick of the action, although McBride just failed to reach his cross.

The Cottagers began to attack with more intent and their reward came in 66th minute when the deadlock was broken.

Jensen floated in a dangerous free-kick which Queudrue clipped to McBride and the USA striker found the bottom right corner.

Fulham then went 2-0 ahead just two minutes later courtesy of brilliant individual work from Jensen who collected Liam Rosenior's long pass, dashed forward and held off a despairing challenge from Karkouri to score from close range.

Charlton pulled one back when Jerome Thomas showed persistence to stab the ball to Bent after being tackled and the England marksman found the bottom right corner with a cool piece of finishing.

Hreidarsson headed inches wide as Charlton went in search of the equaliser but Fulham held on for their third Premiership win of the season.M