Ricky Sbragia oversaw his first league win as full time manager as another Kenwyne Jones goal saw us beat Fulham by a goal to nil at a very chilly Stadium of Light. It was the perfect way for Kenwyne to celebrate signing his new four-and-a-half year contract on the morning of the game, and saw us rocket up the (rather mental) league table into 11th place.

The gaffer made five changes from the side which started against Blackburn in the cup on Saturday, with Chopra, Healy, Edwards and Leadbitter all dropping down to the bench, and Pascal Chimbonda omitted after his switch to join Harry ‘honest as the day is long he is’ Redknapp’s gang of expensive bottlers. They were replaced by Cisse, Jones, Whitehead, Tainio and George McCartney, starting his first match since his return from injury.

Jones got a great reception at kick-off, and it was good to hear a new song for him kicking off in the South-West Corner. ‘Super Kenwyne Jones’ certainly seemed very popular, and although I’m not quite sure what the tune was, it has potential to be a mainstay of match-days. It’s also nice to have a chant for one of our players which isn’t just their name repeated over and over again (and yes, I’m looking at all those people who singing ‘Kieran, Kieran, Kieran’ – easily the worst chant ever).

The first-half we were very poor, and at times it seemed that only the defence was playing. The midfield four seemed completely lost, and even Steed Malbranque struggled, regularly picking the wrong pass and getting muscled out of possession. Whenever we got the ball up to the front two it didn’t stick and came straight back at our defence, which was standing firm amidst great performances from Ferdinand and Collins.

Fortunately, Fulham aren’t the greatest attacking side in the world and although they knocked it about alright they didn’t carve out too many clear chances, although they did put a couple of efforts just wide. In fact, we probably had the best opportunity of the first half, as the only time that Jones seemed to get hold of the bald he muscled off a defender and fired a shot in which Schwarzer saved, before Cisse saw his follow-up blocked.

So after a rubbish first half, hopes weren’t high for a second half revival, but Ricky obviously said something in the dressing room as they came out a different side. All of a sudden Malbranque and Reid were getting more and more into the game and creating stuff, Whitehead was putting himself about all over like he normally does and Jones seemed to have an extra spring in his step.

Ten minutes after the break, Reid ran through the middle, got brought down but the referee (Mark Halsey) played the advantage for Cisse to curl a shot in. It was saved by Schwarzer, but Jones was on hand to smash home the rebound. Cue somersaults, celebrations and this writer being about £50 better off after backing our Caribbean King to score first and anytime. Happy days.

We continued to be the better side throughout the second half, although Simon Davies should have equalised but scooped over from six yards out. That was Fulham’s only real chance for the rest of the match, and we could have even extended our lead but Schwarzer saved well from Steed when he was through.

One downside of the second half was the ridiculous, pathetic booing of Paul McShane when he came on the pitch as a substitute for the knackered George McCartney. Yeah, he may not be very good but there is absolutely nothing to achieve from heckling him as he steps onto the pitch to play for us. Fortunately, it was just a minority and the majority responded to it by giving him a rapturous applause to drown it out, which does restore faith in our supporters a bit. But if anyone who booed him is reading this, I can tell you this – you’re a moron.

That aside, it was quite a pleasant day. Good three points, decent (second-half) performance, Kenwyne committing his future to the club and McCartney returning from injury. It all stands us in good stead for Sunday, when we go to Sid James’ looking to turn the bastards over, and do the double over them.

ALS Man of the Match: Anton Ferdinand, once again superb at the back. Big contender for our Player of the Season with the form he is in.

Paul Maughan (Kickboxing World Champion 1983)

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