Ace Viduka leaves his mark but has Boro hanging on

The 31-year-old Australia striker, comfortable with the club and his north Yorkshire home, hopes to secure a three-year deal.

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But Boro are reluctant to agree a contract of that length, even though Newcastle, West Ham, Everton and Portsmouth are waiting in the wings.

He marked the lap of honour with photos, kisses and waves to the crowd singing his name.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate expects a decision in 10 days.

"I don't care how long it takes as long as it is good news for us," he said.

"Everyone likes to be loved and he is loved here and rightly so. He has been a massive player, brilliant for me and the team look to him for leadership. His goals have been excellent, he knows my stance and hopefully realises how much the fans and everyone here want him to stay.

"The way he is playing tells me he enjoys his football, which matters to him. He knows what I want to do, knows we need a shake-up and, having survived, we can do that now."

After scoring his 19th goal of the season, Viduka said: "I haven't made my decision yet. There are more talks planned but if it is my last game for Boro, then thanks to all the fans."

Viduka was in typically irresistible form to sink sorry Fulham and their manager Lawrie Sanchez, who was relieved that last week's win over Liverpool kept them out of yesterday's relegation dogfight. The former Northern

Ireland boss hardly needed evidence that his squad needs an overhaul but he got it anyway.

"We couldn't defend and if it hadn't been for Antti Niemi it would have been even more," said Sanchez, who gave a debut to Matthew Briggs — the Premiership's youngestever player at 16 and 65 days.

Zat Knight and Philippe Christanval had no answer to Viduka when he took Jonathan Woodgate's pass and powered past them before drilling a low shot beyond Niemi.

Boro youngster David Wheater then failed to clear a volley from Carlos Bocanegra and headed weakly back towards Mark Schwarzer, allowing Simon Davies to place his second Fulham goal over the Boro keeper's head.

But Wheater made amends with his first senior goal to restore Boro's lead just before half-time when he leapt to glance Fabio Rochemback's corner beyond Niemi.

Viduka scored his second two minutes into the second half when he left Christanval standing. Sanchez withdrew Christanval immediately but Viduka should have scored a third before coming off to a standing ovation in injury-time.