Birmingham City 1-2 Fulham

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Birmingham City v FulhamImage source, PA
Image caption,

Demarai Gray tries to battle past two Fulham defenders

Fulham came from a goal behind against Birmingham City behind to claim their first Championship win of the season.

David Cotterill curled high into the net from 25 yards to put Blues ahead, but Fulham fought back after half-time.

Tim Hoogland netted a scrappy equaliser from inside the box and, after more poor Blues defending, Hugo Rodallega scored the winner from a tight angle.

Fulham have now won two of their three games under caretaker Kit Symons following the sacking of Felix Magath.

An eighth defeat in nine league games looked likely when Welsh midfielder Cotterill gave the hosts a deserved lead seven minutes before the break.

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Cotterill's goal was his first for Birmingham City after a summer move from Doncaster

However, Fulham recovered to register their first league win since 12 April and move off the bottom of the table at the expense of Blackpool, who lost at home to Norwich.

After Fulham progressed into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup in midweek, Symons' chances of being given the manager's job on a permanent basis increased even further with their win on Saturday.

As for Birmingham, they have failed to win despite leading in successive Championship games, after letting a 2-0 advantage slip to draw with Norwich in their previous outing.

Clayton Donaldson and Jonathan Grounds failed to head home Cotterill crosses before Blues went in front, while goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli denied defender Grounds in first-half stoppage time.

Fulham facts

Hugo Rodallega scored the only goal in Fulham's last league victory - a 1-0 home win against Norwich on 12 April.

Fulham's win was only their second away from home in the league in 2014, the other being at Aston Villa on 5 April.

The last time Fulham came from behind to win a game was a 2-1 success against West Ham at Craven Cottage on 1 January.

Substitute Brek Shea forced another good stop from Bettinelli, but Fulham were providing more of a threat up front after the break and equalised through Hoogland.

After Blues failed to clear a corner, Nikolay Bodurov's low shot landed at the feet of the German full-back, who swept the ball into the net to make it 1-1.

Darren Randolph saved well with his feet from striker Ross McCormack but the visitors did not have to wait long before Rodallega scored the decisive goal.

Media caption,

Symons on Birmingham v Fulham

The Colombian forward took advantage of a mix-up in the home defence to net his second of the season and end Fulham's five-month wait for a league win.

Fulham caretaker manager Kit Symons: "I have made it clear from day one - this is the job I've always wanted. But I also do know that the owner will take time to find the right person.

"I love the club and I've got a lot of history with Fulham and I want the right person to be in charge of Fulham. I want that right [person] to be me."

Birmingham manager and former Fulham midfielder Lee Clark: "Give him the job. He knows the club inside out. He has the fans behind and he has people around the club smiling again.

"It is a special club. Give it to someone who knows the club. They do not need an outsider. He deserves his chance and I would back him 100%."

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