Football: Fulham almost out of sight as Wembley beckons

Fulham 4 Hayles 20, Horsfield 63, Finnan 74, Symons 87 Blackpool 0 Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 12,869

KEVIN KEEGAN'S devotion to Fulham may have left even the hardiest cynics groping for words over the past few weeks since he inherited the England job following Glenn Hoddle's demise. But perhaps Keegan might have been hard-pressed to deny he would have willingly forsaken Fulham's victory yesterday if, by doing so, it could guarantee a similar outcome at Wembley next Saturday.

As Keegan accepted the acclaim of the Craven Cottage regulars at the final whistle, it seemed like the perfect send-off for their hero as he embarks on a mission many feel is already impossible, namely resurrecting England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2000.

"It was a lovely send-off," Keegan agreed. "I've got my England head on now," he added, sounding frighteningly reminiscent of Hoddle. "I was just talking to one of our players, Steve McAnespie, and called him Steve McManaman by mistake. The lads said: `No, gaffer, that's tomorrow'.

"I'm looking forward to it now. I just hope everyone comes through fit and raring to go but if someone gets injured it'll just be an opportunity for somebody else. It won't be a problem."

There were few problems for Keegan's runaway leaders of the Second Division yesterday as they stretched their lead at the top to 15 points with the kind of polished performance Keegan will be hoping to coax from the best players in the country in his next match.

Blackpool, whose promising season has rather fallen apart of late, travelled like most teams do to this part of London these days - more in hope than expectation and afterwards their manager, Nigel Worthington, hinted that this was more than he could stomach. "I've got some thinking to do over the next 24 hours," he said.

Blackpool flickered briefly into life in the early stages of both halves but in truth once Barry Hayles had shot Fulham in front after 20 minutes the writing was on the wall. A speculative long ball down Fulham's right flank had found Geoff Horsfield and Clarke Carlisle challenging for it in the air. The ball skimmed off the Blackpool defender's head straight into the path of Hayles who made no mistake, firing in left-footed off the underside of the bar.

Horsfield subsequently laid on a chance for Simon Morgan, whose shot was deflected wide, while Neil Smith, with a powerful header tipped over by Steve Banks and a half-volley over the bar, had further chances to increase Fulham's lead to something more commensurate with the way in which they dominated their opponents in the opening 45 minutes.

The game opened up fleetingly for the visitors just after half-time when, as Keegan's sides are wont to do, Fulham gave Blackpool a glimmer of hope. First Simon Sturridge shot over from a tight angle and then Brett Ormerod hit one just past the far post with the home defence flat-footed.

Keegan's response was immediate, bringing on Gus Uhlenbeek to play on the right wing and inject some urgency back into Fulham's game. Within minutes they were two up.

Paul Trollope's free-kick from a central position 30 yards out was headed away but he nodded the ball back into the danger area. Horsfield, springing the offside trap, took it nicely on his chest before volleying past Banks.

After that, Blackpool's spirit was broken and when Steve Finnan swept in a third from the substitute Paul Peschisolido's cross and then Kit Symons added a fourth it was merely confirmation of Fulham's clear superiority.