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Post Match Reaction-Leicester 0 Fulham 2

last updated Sunday 11th April 2004, 9:47 AM
Fulham Manager Chris Coleman
Fulham Manager Chris Coleman
Fulham Manager Chris Coleman believes teenager striker Collins John could be the next Premiership sensation.

The previously little-known Liberian came off the bench at the Walkers Stadium to fire a two-goal salvo, condemning the relegation-threatened Foxes to their second defeat of the week and securing the Cottagers' first league win on the road since October.

John had been signed from Dutch outfit FC Twente Enschede in January for a fee Coleman declined to disclose but described as "a good fee for an 18-year-old".

"There were one or two big clubs after him but luck was on our side and we were the ones who managed to sign him," Coleman said.

"He's played for Holland at Under-18 level and at Under-21 level.

"He's a strong boy, big for his age, and he could certainly be a big player for us if he keeps banging them in like that.

"But at the moment he's one for the future and we'll be feeding him in and out of games.

"During the game we were defending for our lives at times but we knew Leicester would put us under pressure.

"In fact prior to our first goal we were under pressure so I was really pleased with the way Collins went about his business.

"We've had some adverse publicity recently for supposedly being negative away from home but I don't care about that because we've got three points."

Leicester Manager Leicester boss Micky Adams insisted the Foxes' fight for Premiership survival was still far from over despite the Midlanders having slipped to their second defeat inside a week.

Adams counted Leicester unlucky to have suffered defeat after Paul Dickov hit the Fulham bar and skipper Muzzy Izzet had a goal disallowed.

But this latest reverse left Leicester lying third bottom, three points adrift of safety and with a Tuesday evening clash against Manchester United looming.

Adams said: "We showed plenty of commitment but I didn't think we had the rub of the green.

"That said, we had enough chances to win the game. But this season is certainly far from over.

"People kept telling me this was a must-win game - they said the same about Leeds on Monday - but those words have never come out of my mouth.

"Why was it a must-win game? From where I'm sitting we're only three points from safety.

"We go to Manchester United on Tuesday night and some people might already have written us off for that one too but I certainly haven't.

"It's not all doom and gloom and you won't find me getting down in the mouth.

"Let's just make sure we get to the end of the season with a mathematical chance of staying up."

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