Tigers leave it late

The Tigers were under siege for most of the second half at Craven Cottage until Manucho combined with fellow substitute Richard Garcia, who had been on the pitch for two minutes, to secure an unlikely three points.

Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey and Simon Davies should have put the Cottagers out of sight 20 minutes into the second half but failed to convert.

Geovanni was in the thick of the early action, producing a niggly challenge on John Pantsil and then firing a free-kick a hair's breadth wide of the left post.

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer dealt with a looping header by former Cottagers target Daniel Cousin as Hull continued to press.

Davies and Paul Konchesky combined to set up a half-chance for Johnson with the little striker defying gravity to connect with the ball only for his header to sail wide.

Hull's defence was unlocked once again in the 27th minute but Johnson over-ran Zamora's pass while Dempsey saw his follow-up effort at the far post blocked.

Johnson forced a fingertip save from Matt Duke seconds after the break and lightening reactions from the Hull keeper then kept out a blistering drive from Dempsey and moments later Johnson was denied on the line by Mendy.

Duke kept out Dempsey and then Michael Turner tackled Johnson in the nick of time as Fulham searched in vain for a late winner.

Instead, the decisive blow came from Hull deep into injury time with Garcia picking out Manucho for the Angolan to bundle home.