Fulham boss Chris Coleman saluted two-goal hero Cole who took his Premiership tally to eight, although in truth he could have bagged at least two more had he shown a little composure.

Coleman said: "Getting Cole was a good bit of business for us. Opposition defenders always have that fear factor of him - even if he's having a poor match he can score a goal.

"You have to be patient with him sometimes but he was outstanding in the second half today," he added.

Coleman entered Saturday's match under considerable pressure following a run of six defeats from the last eight games - including three successive Premiership losses - but he revealed he has been given the full backing of the Fulham board.

"We were expected to do better this season. No disrespect to teams like Palace but they're expected to be fighting relegation, but we're not," he said.

"There's pressure on me but that's the job. I had a meeting with one or two of the board yesterday and there's money there to spend - more than I thought actually. It's nice to get their backing."

Fulham have offered new contracts to van der Sar and Luis Boa Morte while Coleman also hopes to strengthen the squad with the addition of at least one more player.

Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie was furious with referee Dermot Gallagher for failing to take action against Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premiership defeat.

Van der Sar conceded a penalty in the 34th minute after bringing down Palace striker Andy Johnson but the Dutch international received no further punishment from Gallagher even though he was the last line of defence.

Dowie felt Gallagher should have brandished a red card if he was adhering to the rule book and was not impressed by the official's response when his team asked why van der Sar had not been given his marching orders.

Dowie said: "It was a clear penalty. Andy Johnson was clean through on goal and the rules are that if the last man prevents a goal-scoring opportunity then he's off. But van der Sar didn't even get booked.

"Are you telling me Andy Johnson wouldn't score from there? One of my players said the explanation from the referee was 'you got your goal didn't you'. I don't like the rule, but a rule's a rule."

Johnson's penalty cancelled out a fourth minute opener from Andy Cole but Fulham stepped up a gear in the second half and moved out of sight through Cole's second and the clincher from Tomasz Radzinski.

"I thought Wayne Routledge was terrific in the first half. Andy Johnson got another goal and his movement was excellent. But there are not many positives you can take from a 3-1 defeat," said Dowie.