Fulham 2-1 West Ham

Dimitar Berbatov bagged a second-half winner as Fulham climbed out of the drop zone with victory against 10-man West Ham.

The Cottagers came from a goal down to secure the points after Steve Sidwell cancelled out  Mohamed Diame's opener before Berbatov struck the decisive blow after the break.

However, the Hammers were forced to play the entire second half a man short after skipper Kevin Nolan saw red for a kick on Fernando Amorebieta.

Rene Meulensteen made seven changes from the side that were thrashed at Hull, with Adel Taarabt and Berbatov passing late fitness tests to return to the starting line-up.

However, the Cottagers were behind on seven minutes. Fulham's defence failed to deal with Jussi Jaaskelainen's long punt upfield, and Diame was allowed time to bring the ball down and fire past David Stockdale.

John Arne Riise flashed an effort wide as the hosts pushed for an equaliser, while Taarabt had a shot easily saved by Jaaskelainen from distance.

Nolan almost doubled the visitors' lead, but Stockdale made himself big to keep out the captain's close-range header.

Amorebieta had a header cleared off the line by Modibo Maiga as Meulensteen'smen were camped in the West Ham half.

They did draw level just after the half-hour mark when Sidwell lost George McCartney to power in Damien Duff's corner.

Fulham almost took the lead moments later, but Taarabt's well-struck effort cannoned back off the inside of the post.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men just before the break when Nolan was shown a straight red for a kick on Amorebieta.

Duff fired over at the beginning of the second half, while Taarabt was denied by the woodwork again when Jaaskelainen pushed his header against the post.

However, Fulham did get their noses in front on 65 minutes. Sub Alex Kacaniklic burst down the left and crossed for Parker to help the ball on to Berbatov to tap in.

Darren Bent should've made it 3-1 just minutes after coming off the bench when Berbatov's flick sent him in the clear, but the on-loan Aston Villa man was thwarted by Jaaskelainen.

Fulham: Stekelenburg, Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riise, Duff (Kasami 78), Sidwell, Parker, Richardson (Kacaniklic 56), Taarabt (Bent 69), Berbatov.

Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Hughes, Dejagah, Dembele.