Hodgson: Job not done

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson muted the carnival atmosphere that descended on Craven Cottage on Saturday by declaring: "We're not safe yet."

The 2-0 victory over Birmingham - Fulham's third win in four games - has edged the Cottagers out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone and victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park in next Sunday's finale would complete a remarkable escape act.

Hodgson said: "We've been written off for a long time and I understand that because we've been at the bottom of the table for a long time. It's not been easy for myself and my players to consistently face questions like 'is that the end?' and 'are you finished?'."

He added: "To say the right thing and what you believe without making yourself look foolish is difficult.

"The atmosphere right now is euphoric and I'm happy about that because you need to take all the good moments that come in football.

"But it's not finished yet and the euphoria of this week could turn into sadness next Sunday if we're relegated."

Birmingham's defeat has left them on the brink of an immediate return to the Coca-Cola Championship but manager Alex McLeish refused to raise the white flag.

The Blues host Blackburn on Sunday and McLeish said: "It goes to the wire and we still have a lifeline.

"There's still an opportunity for us to stay up. It's no longer in our hands but then it probably wasn't before today.

"We have to win next weekend and we're capable of doing that. I've never found it difficult to pick the team up."