Parker hits late Fulham winner at Norwich

Norwich City 1 Fulham 2

Scott Parker’s 25-yard strike three minutes from the end gave rejuvenated Fulham a superb away victory.

They went behind to Gary Hooper’s deflected effort but hit back with Pajtim Kasami’s 33rd-minute equaliser and defended resolutely before Parker struck.

Fulham, still without Dimitar Berbatov, were forced into another change when keeper Maarten Stekelenburg suffered an ankle injury in training on the eve of the game.

He was replaced by David Stockdale, who found himself picking the ball out of his net after Hooper’s 13th-minute shot looped in after striking the unfortunate Aaron Hughes.

But the Whites responded strongly, with Kasami shooting wide and Damien Duff going close before Parker had a goal disallowed after using his hands to charge down keeper John Ruddy’s clearance.

The equaliser eventually arrived when Kasami’s low free-kick ended up in the corner of the net.

Fulham have grown in stature since Rene Meulensteen’s appointment as boss and they stood firm in the second half, with Sascha Riether clearing Leroy Fer’s header off the line and Stockdale denying Nathan Redmond.

Meulensteen’s men were always a threat on the counter-attack and might have gone ahead had Sebastien Bassong not blocked Steve Sidwell’s effort.

And when the Norwich defence could only half-clear Riether’s cross, Parker pounced to give Fulham the points.

Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson; Sidwell, Parker, Kasami; Duff (Rodallega 58), Taarabt (Dejagah 72), Kacaniklic (Riise 90).
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Boateng, Ruiz, Bent.

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