Berbatov provides spark

MARTIN JOL will have had many sleepless nights lately, given his side’s form, and New Year’s Eve was no exception.

On this occasion, the source of his frustration was the fi reworks outside Fulham’s Birmingham hotel, the Hyatt.

But his mood was cheered by what was only the Cottagers’ second victory in 13 as they gave themselves breathing space over the bottom sides.

Dimitar Berbatov, the man of the match, gave Fulham the lead only for Romelu Lukaku to equalise for the Baggies. Then Alex Kacaniklic had the fi nal say, in the 58th minute.

Jol said: “Probably the best fi reworks of all were at 12 o’clock in front of my hotel. I said we needed a quiet hotel and it was unbelievable – there were 2,000 people in front of my window. It was annoying.

“But it was the best fi reworks I have ever seen. I think it kept the players up too and I was worried.

“Next time we’ll go to the Moathouse, where I lived for seven months when I was a West Brom player.”

This was the Baggies’ fi fth defeat in eight games, and manager Steve Clarke said: “We’ve thrown three points away. I’ve asked the players to claw that back somewhere over the course of the season.”

Lukaku and Berbatov both wasted chances in a low quality opening.

But the Fulham striker made no mistake after 39 minutes, as he fed Ashkan Dejegah out wide before sweeping home the return. West Brom levelled four minutes after the break when Billy Jones darted down the right and crossed for Lukaku, who slotted home.

Lukaku outmuscled Aaron Hughes only to fi re against a post. Then he was foiled by goalkeeper David Stockdale before Zoltan Gera fi red the rebound against the woodwork.

Bryan Ruiz dissected the Baggies defence to fi nd the unmarked Kacaniklic for the winner.

He took full advantage of Ben Foster’s ill- judged decision to dart off his line, slotting the ball underneath the keeper.

Jol said: “We need fi ve or six more wins as soon as possible.”