Relieved Jol hails ‘important’ victory over West Ham

Fulham's Manager Martin Jol walks off at the end of the Barclays Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture: PA Wire

Thursday, January 31, 2013
8:24 AM

Fulham manager Martin Jol is hailed last night’s “vital, vital” win over London rivals West Ham.

After just two wins in 15 Premier League games, there have been growing rumbles of discontent from sections of the west Londoners’ support base.

However, that air of tension has begun to dissipate over the last 24 hours, with news the club has become debt-free followed by a 3-1 win over the Hammers.

Dimitar Berbatov celebrated his 32nd birthday with a vital - if offside - opening goal, although Kevin Nolan levelled for the visitors at the start of the second half.

The Whites rallied and regained the lead a minute later through Hugo Rodallega, before Joey O’Brien turned in a Mladen Petric shot in stoppage time.

“The result was very important,” Jol said. “It was a vital, vital win.

“They were on 27 points, we had 25. Norwich were on 26 so it is a vital win.

“I am a happy customer, especially is you saw this game and the last four games here at home.

“We lacked a bit of luck, sometimes a bit of quality and today the first half we were good.

“We were happy to score that goal, although I’ve heard it was irregular but I am not sure.

“Maybe it was offside but I can remember a couple of moments this season when we had the same decisions against us so, as you say in England, you win some, you lose some.

“Hopefully today we won some and that was probably the case with the first goal.”

The only bad news last night was injury-related, with Jol revealing Berbatov requires a scan on a hamstring injury. However, Philippe Senderos is fine despite limping through the final 10 minutes.