Murphy the hero as Fulham survive again

A header from Danny Murphy was enough to give Fulham victory over FA Cup finalists Portsmouth at Fratton Park today, ensuring their Premiership survival. The Putney side always seem to pull off a last minute escape. A linesman's decision in their favour was a factor in our relgation from the Premiership.

The fact of the matter is that Fulham, with their seats for 'neutrals', wouldn't be in the Premiership if it wasn't for their benefactor. Danny Murphy may be enjoying his Harrods hamper on his way back to London tonight, but the club has not cooperated with the launch of a new book on all-time Fulham hero Johnny Haynes. According to today's Sunday Times the club's new retail company, Just Pro Sport Club, wanted a 60 per cent cut to put Johnny Haynes - Sports Maestro on the shelves of the club shop and even at that they only wanted 40 copies.

So what does the relegation of Birmingham City and Reading, along with Derby County, mean for next year's promotion battle? (I leave to one side the prediction of gloomsters that we will be in a relegation struggle). If Fulham had come down, I think they would have been imploded. Derby County are not going to find it that easy to pick themselves up.

Birmingham City are one of the classic yo-yo teams and we can expect the Millwall of the Midlands to be there or thereabouts. With Reading a lot depends on whether Steve Coppell stays. Despite the relegation, with the final Premiership goal being scored by Leroy Lita, I rate Coppell as a manager. He should have tried to bring more players in in the transfer window, but it is not that easy to get top class players to come to Reading. My prediction would be that they will be 'there or thereabouts', i.e., in the play offs. Anyway, it's good news for the cluster of Addicks in Reading.

I see that Watford were defeated 0-2 at home by Hull in the play offs. The Financial Times rightly described them as a 'functional' team and our failure to beat them says something about us this season.