Coleman the proud caretaker makes Moyes less merry

Fulham 2 Everton

A change in manager does not always guarantee an upturn in fortunes – witness Sunderland and Leeds United in recent weeks – but the sacking of Jean Tigana has certainly done the trick at Fulham.

Seven points from a possible 12 mean that Chris Coleman's short-term tenure has been highly successful. With Fulham's Premiership status secured, no wonder he says "he has enjoyed every minute" of his time as manager. Everton, meanwhile, are in danger of ending a wonderful season without the Uefa Cup place that their football has deserved. Their final League match of the season at home to Manchester United now takes on even greater significance. "We'll have to play a lot better," a hugely disappointed David Moyes said.

"The goals were real comic capers." So they were. Both came in quick succession just before the break and both were scored by Everton players. "Yeah, we worked on those all week," Coleman joked of the Alan Stubbs and Thomas Gravesen own-goals that sent the Loftus Road crowd into delirium. "No, seriously," the Welshman added, "I just felt we deserved to win because we showed real commitment and bottle."

Following a difficult season on and off the field, Fulham earned their two slices of luck yesterday. Although their own finishing often left a lot to be desired, Coleman's troops looked bright with the ball and, perhaps most importantly bearing in mind the outside threat of relegation before kick-off, determined in defence.

Coleman has already indicated that he will not be taking over from Tigana on a permanent basis, but he will prove a useful addition to the new management team. Interviews continue apace, with the announcement of the new coach expected in the next few days. It is worth pointing out that the former Crystal Palace manager, Alan Smith, was among the crowd.

Whoever takes over will be guiding a Premiership team – Everton's two own-goals saw to that. The first came on 34th minutes, when Stubbs, who was under slight pressure from the wonderfully named Elvis Hammond, stuck a boot out and lobbed his goalkeeper. Richard Wright had barely stopped bemoaning his ill-fortune when Gravesen turned Steed Malbranque's close-range free-kick past the England stopper. Wright complained that Luis Boa Morte had handled the cross-cum-shot, but the truth is that he should not have allowed the ball to cross the line.

Having done the hard work, Fulham might have then sat back and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. Far from it. Instead, the home side emerged from the half-time break more determined than ever to take the game to their opponents. They played good football, too, now that they were liberated from the threat of falling into the Nationwide abyss.

Malbranque, in particular, was pulling strings with effortless ease. He has had a terrific season and it is almost unthinkable that a bigger club will not come in for his services this summer. A move up the road to replace the ageing Gianfranco Zola at Chelsea cannot be discounted. With three minutes of the second period gone, the Frenchman wriggled his way free inside the Everton area before unleashing a shot at goal. Wright spilled the ball, but Hammond was unable to capitalise.

Moyes had sent on big Duncan Ferguson at half-time to try to unsettle the Fulham defence, but to no avail. The first of the visitors' half-chances fell to Kevin Campbell, from a nod-down by Wayne Rooney, but the striker got his feet in a muddle and finished on the floor when he had only Maik Taylor to beat. The second saw the unmarked Joseph Yobo fire over from four yards. It was that sort of day for Everton.

Fulham 2 Everton 0
Stubbs og 34, Wright og 43

Half-time: 2-0 Attendance: 18,385