Fulham survived a late penalty scare to defeat Championship rivals Birmingham City at Craven Cottage.
Sheyi Ojo scored the game’s only goal early on, and Jeremie Boga’s miss from the spot ensured the host continued their climb up the table, while Birmingham remained in the relegation zone.
Fulham move up to 12th, while Birmingham have gained just two points away from home all season and are 22nd .
Fulham took an early lead through Liverpool loanee Ojo, who diverted home a low cross from Neeskens Kebano.
After a bright start to the match, Fulham took the lead on 15 minutes when Liverpool loanee Ojo steered home Neeskens Kebano’s low cross after neat build-up play.
The hosts almost doubled their lead through Ryan Sessegnon, but the young full-back couldn’t connect with Kevin McDonald’s pass.
Birmingham struggled to get a foothold in the game, and had David Stockdale to thank as he pushed away Kebano’s snapshot inside the box.
Aboubakar Kamara came close early in the second half, but saw his shot flash across the goal and wide.
Stefan Johansen was the next player to go close, only to again denied by Stockdale.
Birmingham had their first sight of goal on the hour mark, but Boga’s free-kick drifted narrowly wide.
The Blues mounted another rare attack shortly after, but Emiliano Nsue failed to convert David Davis’ cross.
Fulham were almost made to pay for their profligacy when McDonald upended Nsue in the box, but Boga’s spot-kick cleared the bar.
With time running out, Kamara fired wide after his initial had been parried by Stockdale.
