Football: And, for his last trick of the week, another win

Fulham 2

Horsfield 36, 67

Notts County 1

Owers 83 Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 11,909

KEVIN KEEGAN has played a blinder. He said he could coach England and Fulham at the same time, revive the national team, probably promote the club side, play some rounds of golf and still remain a nice guy. If he had said he would still have time to help out at a donkey sanctuary we would have believed him. That was all before a ball had been kicked, and professional ball-kickers are notoriously unreliable in what seem to be rosy circumstances.

Fulham, by winning and going top of the Second Division, did not let him down, though in the end at Craven Cottage yesterday they were clinging to their advantage over a Notts County side that has been out of sorts for most of this season. At the finish Keegan sipped nervously at a water bottle, looked as anxious as if it were a World Cup qualifier, and finally clenched his fists in genuine joy. That is why the Fulham fans never believed that he would forsake them.

Keegan himself said afterwards: "I don't want to lose working with these players, just as I will enjoy working with the best. My love for Fulham was never in doubt. This was the highlight of my week. It was more important than anything that Fulham didn't suffer for what had been happening. After all, there are more clubs like this than there are Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea - this is more like the real world."

On his return to the Cottage after a week that began with speculation, then turned to the surprise of his becoming the subject of the most curious and expensive "loan" deal in football's history, Keegan yesterday needed to ensure that Fulham kicked into touch a few preconceived ideas about his philosophy on the way the game should be played, at whatever level.

First, of course, was the notion that he is happy to see any of his teams concede goals as long as they score the greater number. Fulham had already booted that one off their own goal-line by starting yesterday's match with a record of letting in only 21 goals in 28 League matches, and not conceding one to the then joint leaders of the Premiership, Aston Villa, in an FA Cup victory, then losing by only 1-0 to Manchester United.

This is not the happy-go-lucky team either of Keegan's alleged reputation or of Fulham's nostalgic past. Unlike several of his predecessors at Craven Cottage, his presence and ambition have at last allowed us sportswriters of a certain age to go to the old ground without the sure belief that at the end of the day we will again fall for the irresistible temptation to dwell on dodgy memories; those of Tosh Chamberlain, Johnny Haynes, Jimmy Hill and the others who, more often than we care to admit, sent the fans home vowing never to return to watch another performance of such disorder.

That Keegan would end the week as a hero in the eyes of the Fulham fans was not in doubt. Not only had he said all the right things as far as England were concerned, but he had almost convinced everyone that loyalty was not dead. What a week.

First there was Arsenal dredging up that antique word "sportsmanship" by offering Sheffield United an FA Cup replay, then there was Keegan choosing to be back at work in the Second Division rather than becoming England's full-time coach. If cynics suggest he is on to a substantial fiscal promise from Mohamed Al Fayed, the fans would say "good luck to him". As it was, Keegan crossed the pitch to his place on the bench cheered all the way. The usual chant of "Fulham" inevitably became "Keegan", and the chairman strolled a lap of honour carrying his huge Fulham scarf and milking the occasion for every last cheer.

County were just another visiting team probably feeling that the Fayed riches had put Fulham at a considerable advantage, but the Second Division can be as much a leveller as the Cup. Their heavyweight back- line lacked mobility but for a while solidly defied Barry Hayles and Geoff Horsfield.

If his England predecessor Glenn Hoddle could be accused of not rehearsing penalties, Keegan was given a warning about just such negligence when, after 23 minutes, Matt Redmile brought down Hayles who sent his spot- kick over the crossbar.

Compensation came quickly when a centre from Steve Hayward arrived hard and low and Horsfield drove in an efficient goal that was no less than Fulham deserved. To relate anything they do tactically to England would be absurd, but they play to feet, are well-organised defensively with their flat back four, and rarely miss an opportunity to work things out in midfield.

Lacking their former England international John Salako because of an injury sustained late in the first half, they still retained their width. Keegan stood, arms folded, collar up and occasionally giving directions but generally he was undemonstrative; or was it that he had simply exhausted his voice talking to a wider world?

So, after Horsfield had delightfully added Fulham's second with a considered shot from just inside the penalty area, Keegan finished his extraordinary week in triumph - comparative triumph, that is. County managed a late goal by Gary Owers but Poland may require a shade more homework.