Keegan wins at last

The Australian struck with just six minutes gone, and Owen claimed his eighth goal of the seven with seven minutes remaining to cement a precious victory.

Kasey Keller had to make fine first-half saves from Obafemi Martins and Owen, and Owen passed up a glorious opportunity when he headed straight at the keeper.

At the 10th time of asking, Keegan could finally celebrate three points but for Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson relegation is now a step closer.

With Viduka, Owen and Martins forming a dangerous front three, the home side were always a threat in attack and, but for two superb saves from Keller who just about got his fingertips to blistering strikes from Martins and Owen, they could have been out of sight.

But despite the best efforts of Nicky Butt, Joey Barton and Geremi behind them, Keegan's men were overrun in midfield early on as Jimmy Bullard orchestrated play for the visitors.

Full-backs Jose Enrique and Habib Beye were repeatedly exposed by the lack of cover ahead of them and it was only a combination of desperate defence, good goalkeeping and poor finishing which prevented Fulham from scoring.

Viduka was more clinical when he got his chance, turning on Geremi's pass to fire a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to relieve the tension.

Steve Harper had to make a smart save to keep out Bullard's 34th-minute shot after it dipped nastily in front of him and in the second half Martins had a goal chalked off for offside.

Geremi also went close as the hosts tried to sew up the points and it was his free-kick which found Owen, who made sure of the points with a neat header.