One of those Fulham days when dreams come true

This was such a day in the cosy old ground on the banks of the Thames as the Fulham fans bawled their songs of improbable survival.

The Birmingham followers wandered away depressed and disconsolate.

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Their team had attempted little and achieved still less. Sure, it is not over for them, just as Fulham's survival is still a work in progress.

But when you watched the scenes of celebration at Craven Cottage, when you saw all those blue-shirted shoulders sinking under the pressure of the moment, you knew that the smart money was following Fulham.

Goals from the captain, Brian McBride, and substitute Erik Nevland had delivered a result and created a situation which seemed impossible just a month ago, when Fulham seemed dead and buried.

Birmingham, by contrast, have seen their troubles accumulate like an avalanche. "We Are Staying Up!", boomed the West London faithful.

Birmingham neglected to sing. Instead, they wore their apprehension like a uniform.

Relegation battles represent one of the few times when it is possible to feel sympathy with professional footballers. The world and his brother are waiting for the decisive mistake, the search is on for a victim as much as a hero.

The tension is therefore daunting with everyone aware that relegation is tantamount to being disinherited; cut off with nothing but a fond farewell and a couple of parachute payments.

Mohamed Al Fayed sat in the directors' box with the Formula One mogul Flavio Briatore, so close that their wallets were almost touching.

The crowd, acutely aware of the stakes, pleaded for survival. It was less than deafening, since they don't do shrieking desperation at Craven Cottage. Seething angst is more their thing, with the occasionally concerted burst of cardboard clappers.

And the Fulham followers were also aware that theirs was the form team. April was the most astonishing month for Fulham. Not having won away for 18 months, they beat Reading impressively, then won an improbable victory at Manchester City.

They had won three of their previous seven games, remarkable form for a side which had won only six games all season.

Birmingham, for their part, were on the crest of a slump, with just two away wins in the League all season, the last in early December. And their fragile confidence might have collapsed completely after eight minutes, when Jimmy Bullard played a square pass to Simon Davies.

His drive was cleanly struck, swerved obligingly and drew an astounding save from Maik Taylor, once the Fulham goalkeeper.

Both teams settled to thoughtful football, free from panic. Birmingham, who were marginally more secure, were therefore marginally less adventurous, while Fulham looked to Bullard to play the damaging passes for the running of McBride and Diomansy Kamara.

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But opportunities were not easily come by. The record shows that these sides are not ablaze with creativity, and such was the paucity of chances that the next substantial offering was delayed until the last minute of the first half, when Radhi Jaidi plunged across his six-yard box to block Kamara's drive.

Another former Fulham player, Franck Queudrue, replaced Liam Ridgewell at half-time, and the change proved significant. In the 52nd minute, Jaidi went thumping into McBride on the far left, halfway inside the Birmingham half.

Bullard took the kick, whipping the ball into the heart of the area. On and on it travelled, with Queudrue failing to halt its flight.

McBride threw himself at the header, met it solidly, and it bounced once before burrowing into the net beyond Taylor's right hand.

The roar shook the Cottage to its ancient foundations. And that was the moment when the whole thing swung Fulham's way. They made the running, they made the chances, they made the day for the fans who have endured such a feeble season.

Two minutes later, Kamara was beating four men inside the Birmingham area, only to waste his intricate run by driving the chance yards high.

No matter, the force was with them. Suddenly, they were playing with more freedom than ever. They had not beaten Birmingham at home since Boxing Day 1968. A mere statistic. Now, when it mattered, they were the team holding the answers.

On 67 minutes, with Birmingham swiftly dissolving, they brought on Nevland for Kamara. There are days when everything a manager tries seems to pay off immediately.

This was such a day for Roy Hodgson. The pressure intensified and, with three minutes remaining, a ball was hooked out of defence and Nevland darted in ahead of the luckless Queudrue.

On he ran, maintaining his pace and control and holding off the tackling challenge of Jaidi before burying the decisive shot beyond Taylor.

Again, the Cottage trembled. The miracle beckoned. It was a memorable day and a long, happy night down there on the banks of the Thames.