NORWICH City slumped to a disappointing defeat at home to Fulham today, a result which sees them remain second from bottom in the Premiership.

In truth, City deserved little from a game which Fulham were in control of for large parts.

A ninth minute strike from Andy Cole was enough to condemn City to their sixth defeat of the season and end Fulham's four game losing streak.

The home side created few chances of note, with a first half Svensson effort the only shot which forced visiting 'keeper Van Der Sar into any sort of meaningful action.

It was a flat performance, and one which few were expecting after last weekend's rousing second half at Birmingham.

Indeed, had Robert Green not been on top form in the closing stages, the scoreline could have read far worse.

City boss Nigel Worthington was forced into two changes for the match.

Simon Charlton had suffered a knock in training, which paved the way for Gary Doherty to start his first Premiership match for City at his favoured position of centre-back, having previously been employed as a striker.

Gary Holt was still in hospital with a chest problem, with Damien Francis still recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

This meant Thomas Helveg was awarded his first start since the visit of Everton in October in centre midfield alongside Phil Mulryne.

Leon McKenzie also reclaimed his place in the first team, with Jim Brennan dropping from the squad completely.

There was a well-observed moment's silence after the players took to the field in memory of former Canary legend Bernard Robinson, who died this week aged 92.

City kicked off attacking the Barclay Stand, with the game stopped almost immediately after Fulham defender Pearce took a blow to the face.

In the third minute the visiting 'keeper Van Der Sar was almost embarrassed after Svensson successfully charged down his attempted clearance.

The ball span to Bentley and was eventually fed through to Huckerby, but he could not get his shot away, allowing Volz to clear.

On five minutes McKenzie was flattened close to the right touchline by Bocanegra, but the resulting short free kick was wasted.

And two minutes later Fulham tool the lead through Andy Cole.

A slick passing move tore through the middle of City's defence. Pembridge fed the ball to Malbranque, who in turn put Cole clear with a neat flick.

He looked to be half-a-yard offside, but it made no odds as he slid the ball beneath the body of Robert Green from 12 yards out.

On 11 minutes City came desperately close to drawing level.

Huckerby won a free kick on the left after being pulled down by Legwinsky. Mulryne sent in an excellent ball to the far post, but Craig Fleming could only direct his header wide of the far post.

Fulham's goal had certainly come against the run of play, leaving City to once again to show their character to come back.

On 16 minutes Malbranque tried his luck from 25 yards out.

It was a similar spot to where James Beattie had scored for Southampton two weeks ago, but this time the effort ran wide of Green's far post, with the City 'keeper appearing to have the shot well covered.

On 22 minutes faint appeals for a penalty for City were waved away by referee Alan Wiley when Huckerby went down just inside the box after a challenge from Pearce.

But there appeared to be little contact by the Fulham defender, with few of the City players taking issue with the decision.

On 25 minutes Green made a fine stop low to his right from Pembridge after Cole had put him in space on the edge of the area.

It was a well-struck effort which Green had to gather at the second attempt.

A minute later Volz found himself to be the first player in the referee's book for a late challenge on Helveg as he looked to bring the ball out of his own half.

On 29 minutes McKenzie was awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal after a push from Pearce.

But Mulryne could only send a tame effort straight into Van Der Sar's hands.

Fulham were looking increasingly good value for their lead, and on 39 minutes City were given a real let off when Pembridge shanked the ball wide of the near post with only Green to beat.

Thirty seconds later and City forced Van Der Sar into his first real action of the afternoon.

Svensson and McKenzie linked-up well, and after a half-hearted attempt to clear, the ball broke to the Swedish star who drilled in a fierce effort.

But the giant Dutch keeper was sharp to get down at his near post to fist it clear.

At the other end Doherty was forced into an emergency clearance when Green could only parry a long-range shot from Diop.

Half time: Norwich City 0-1 Fulham

Straight from the start of the second half City went on the attack, forcing a corner after a rampaging run from McKenzie.

Once again City would have to stage a second half comeback to take anything from the match.

On 53 minutes some trickery from David Bentley saw him win a free kick in the edge of the area after being chopped down by Legwinsky.

Up stepped Svensson to blast a ferocious effort high and wide.

In the 57th minute Helveg was booked after a high challenge on Diop as he tried to take the ball down just outside the City area.

The resulting kick from Malbranque floated harmlessly out of play.

Fulham should have extended their lead on 62 minutes.

A sharp turn by Cole in the area saw him leave Fleming for dead, and his ball across the six yard box narrowly missed the outstretched boot of McBride.

Almost immediately Worthington made his first change of the afternoon, bringing on Youssef Safri for Mulryne.

Six minutes later Mattias Jonson entered the fray in place of Svensson - the winger seemingly being employed as a striker through the middle.

City were still struggling to find their way back into the match, with Fulham looking more than comfortable.

On 77 minutes they had a half-chance when a free kick by Huckerby was met with the forehead of Doherty, who glanced his effort wide of the far post.

On 82 minutes City suddenly came to life as an attacking force.
Jonson chased down a lost cause and won the ball midway inside the Fulham half.

He played in Bentley, and his ball into the box was brought down by Huckerby.

The ball then ran loose to McKenzie, whose shot was blocked from close range.

Two minutes later Cole was booked for not retreating the full 10 yards as Green tried to take a goal kick.

With the game drawing to what looked to be a disappointing close, substitute Jonson came close to equalising with a header on the far post following Huckerby's cross.

Sadly for City fans, his effort finished in the side netting.

A minute later and Bentley tried his luck from the edge of the box, but the ball sailed well over.

On 87 minutes Fulham should really have wrapped-up a comfortable win when Cole put McBride in a one-on-one with Green.

But the American striker could only hit a tame effort straight at the City 'keeper.

And Green did brilliantly again a moment later to turn a well-hit free kick from Pembridge away for a corner.

And he again came to City's rescue in the first minute of stoppage time to parry a volley from Malbranque.

With the clock ticking down, City made one last charge in a bid to salvage a point, but Bentley's left-foot curler from 20 yards finished in the stand.

Final score: Norwich City 0-1 Fulham

Norwich City: Green, Edworthy, Drury, Fleming, Doherty, Mulryne (Safri 62), Helveg, Bentley, Huckerby, Svensson (Jonson 68), McKenzie. Subs not used: Ward, Jonson, McVeigh, Shackell.

Fulham: Van Der Sar, Volz, Bocanegra, Pearce, Rehman, Legwinsky, Diop, Malbranque, Pembridge, Cole, McBride. Subs not used: Flitney, Knight, Radzinski, Hammond, Rosenior.

Golden Goal Time: 06:42