Fulham left-back John Arne Riise concedes their victory over Norwich may not have been pretty but was vitally important after a three-game losing streak.
The west Londoners went into Saturday's match on the back of defeats to Aston Villa, Swansea and Manchester United, but did enough to overcome the resilient Canaries 2-1 at Craven Cottage.
Early goals from Clint Dempsey and Damien Duff gave the Whites a comfortable lead, although they endured a nervy ending after substitute Aaron Wilbraham reduced the deficit with 13 minutes remaining.
Fulham held out for three points despite the late onslaught, much to the delight of Riise.
"I think we played well in the first half and should have scored a few more goals to maybe kill the game off," the Norway international said.
"We knew they were going to keep pushing us in the second half and we tried to be compact and take our chances.
"But we didn't play well in the second half, we let them come back into the game and when they scored we just defended with everything we had.
"They could have nicked the draw but we are very happy because after three defeats in a row we need that win.
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Riise and his team-mates may be buoyed by the victory, but serious questions remain over their concentration.
Wilbraham's goal for Norwich was the 17th goal the Cottagers have conceded in the final 15 minutes of league games this season - more than any other team.
"I don't know what it is, it just seems to happen to us," Riise added.
"We know we normally play well at home and kill the games off, but if we don't do that they get a goal, they gain momentum and put pressure on us.
"Norwich scored and they got the momentum and we just couldn't keep the ball.
That was the problem in the second half.
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One of the highlights of the match was the performance of Alex Kacaniklic, who was handed his Fulham debut in place of the injured Pavel Pogrebnyak after 35 minutes.
"He is one of the youngsters coming up," Riise said of the winger recalled from a loan spell at Watford during the week.
"He took his chance and did well.
He works hard, you could see he has skills and he is not scared of taking defenders on.
"I told him: 'If you get a one against one, I'll just stay back', even though I don't want to but it gives him space to do what he wants.
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Norwich boasted an impressive debutant of their own in the form of January addition Ryan Bennett.
The England Under-21 international defender joined from Peterborough on transfer deadline day and shone on his first appearance for the Canaries.
"I think we definitely deserved something from that for the way we played in the second half," Bennett said.
"We dominated from the whistle right to the end, but our first half performance cost us and is what let us down in the end.
"I think it is always going to be hard when you start like that but we got our heads up after half-time, went out there and played some great stuff.
Unfortunately it wasn't enough.
"It is nice to be finally be out there.
The lads have been doing well, had a few a crucial games and the win last week has helped the team's league position.
"It was just a matter of waiting to get a chance and I got that so hopefully I can get a few more games towards the end of the season.
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