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John Hudson at Daily Telegraph |
Fulham (2) 3-0 (0) Charlton
Kit Symons is convinced he is making a compelling case to be appointed full-time manager after early goals from Scott Parker and Hugo Rodallega set Fulham on course for a victory that moved the club out of the Championship bottom three for the first time this season.
Rodallega added his second in the 89th minute to wrap up the fifth win of Symons' eight-game reign, achieved impressively against a Charlton side that had lost just once in the league before this match.
Symons believes he can do little more to strengthen his case to succeed Felix Magath, but admits he has little idea how long he will have to wait before Shahid Khan, the club's US-based owner, finalises his plans for the future.
"I haven't heard anything at all, although I haven't looked at my phone yet," said Symons. "I'm very confident I'll get it. It has to be getting more difficult, with the team winning games, for the five-man panel not to see the obvious thing to do for this football club.
"I won't get giddy or carried away. The chairman? He's over the week after next. I don't know what to expect. I understand the process but not when a decision will be made to how it will come out. Hopefully we'll find out sooner rather than later. We'll chat on the phone Monday, we had a long chat last Monday, although not about the job unfortunately."
Fulham's performance during the opening half offered a timely reminder that this group of players has been transformed since taking just one point in the opening seven league games under Magath.
Charlton arrived at Craven Cottage full of confidence after Tuesday's win over Bolton Wanderers that meant they could have increased the pressure on the leading group ahead of the weekend fixtures.
However, they were caught cold by Fulham's vibrant start, much to manager Bob Peeters' frustration. "We've done Kit a gift today," he said. "He owes my players, especially for the first half, if he gets the job."
Parker led the way for the home side, advancing towards the visiting penalty area before exchanging passes with Ross McCormack and finishing from 10 yards after just six minutes. Fulham maintained the momentum, doubling the lead six minutes later when Rodallega reacted first after McCormack's shot had been parried.
It was always unlikely Fulham could maintain the tempo of the first half and Charlton began to exert themselves after the break, demonstrating the qualities that have consolidated their place in the top half of the table.
Marcus Bettinelli, in goal for Fulham, brilliantly saved Charlton striker George Tucudean's header six minutes after the restart and was then relieved to see Franck Moussa's powerful low shot drift outside of his post moments later.
Home nerves were calmed, however, when Rodallega found the corner from a tight angle in the final moments.
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