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| Fulham Assistant Manager Christian Damiano |
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Fulham Manager Jean Tigana watched a flood of euphoria sweep through Loftus Road as his side soared away from the drop zone
Jon Harley's 25-yard shot clinched the 2-1 victory against Aston Villa which sent the Cottagers nine points clear of the bottom three.
His ascent from zero to hero was completed as he smashed home his first goal for Fulham.
Fulham Assistant Manager Christian Damiano said: "Jon has a good attitude and has taken his chance. "This is his opportunity and he had a very good game today and scored an exceptional goal.
"It was a great result and an important win because we're in a better league position now.
"We were fantastic and confirmed we have very good quality on the pitch.
"Luis Boa Morte was the difference. He had a great, great game, winning our penalty and giving some good final passes."
Boa Morte's penalty area tumble - over Joey Gudjonsson's clumsy tackle - came in a thrilling first half in which he terrorised the Villa backline with his searing pace.
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Villa boss
Graham Taylor |
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Villa boss Graham Taylor acclaimed Harley's strike and Boa Morte's performance.
"Harley just hit it and it had a wicked dip," he said. "They're special goals.
"And we all know that, when Boa Morte has a game like today, he's difficult to contain.
"He's an instinct player and if you try and tackle him, he reacts and beats you.
"We made a very good start but I've no complaints about the result. Peter Enckelman brought off some saves in the second half that kept us in the game.
"Fulham deserved to win and that's disappointing. Our season would have been on the threshold of turning around if we'd got three points today. We would have been in reach of sixth place."