Fulham ride to form on back of gleaming Harley

Fulham 2 Aston Villa 1

Sometimes football in the Premiership has more safety features than a Volvo commercial as teams opt for caution first and hope the points will follow. Here, both sides simply unbuckled their seat belts and hit the accelerator.

Aston Villa, having scored eight goals in two games, initially seemed to be en route for another victory but suddenly – to complete the metaphor – the wheels came off. For Fulham the win was the kind of response they so desperately needed after successive League defeats to stop themslipping nearer the relegation zone.

The match was played at a frenetic pace with both sides relying on the speed of their young forwards. The midfield was often simply bypassed. Unsurprisingly, all six substitutions were used.

It was made for a speed merchant such as Luis Boa Morte and the Portuguese international took full advantage. "He was great. He was the difference," said Fulham's assistant manager Christian Damiano. For Aston Villa, Graham Taylor concurred. "Boa Morte has had a special day. He is a direct player, an instinct player." Taylor followed his own instinct and at half-time withdrew young full-back Rob Edwards, in for the injured Mark Delaney, after the ordeal he suffered marking the flier.

It was one of two changes as the Villa manager abandoned his attacking formation, having seen Fulham recover impressively from Gareth Barry's early goal. The midfielder – disappointed to miss the England senior squad – scored after two minutes, bursting through Steve Finnan's challenge after Dion Dublin's clever flick.

Dublin almost added a second but Boa Morte was having such an afternoon that it was he who was in the right place to deflect the volley around the post. Then Boa Morte was freed down the left and cut into the area, where he was bundled over by Joey Gudjonsson. Steed Malbranque scored from the penalty spot – his sixth goal in four games.

Although Villa had looked the better side, suddenly Boa Morte had swung the advantage. He set up a series of chances for Louis Saha and Steve Marlet, Jean Tigana's preferred strike partnership who were, astonishingly, starting a game together for the first time since August.

But it was left-back Jon Harley, given an extended chance to reclaim his place in the side following the departure of Rufus Brevett, who put the Cottagers ahead with his first goal for the club. It was a spectacular effort. The ball fell to him 35 yards out and his dipping, swerving left-foot volley eluded Peter Enckelman. After such a strong start, Villa, who had picked up 13 points from a possible 18, went into the break behind and with three players booked.

But it was Fulham who continued to bristle with intent and after 51 minutes Marlet's fierce drive was beaten away by Enckelman. Then, at the other end, Maik Taylor produced a stunning reaction save to another Dublin volley. Saha flicked a header wide, as Marlet, who has more power in the air, charged in behind him.

Tigana pushed Malbranque further forward as he withdrew Marlet and the midfielder almost added a third goal on 72 minutes but volleyed just wide. It made for an uncomfortable finish as Fulham, despite all their chances, were unable to pull away. Still, at least, they are back in the fast lane.

Fulham 2
Malbranque pen 14, Harley 36

Aston Villa 1
Barry 3

Half-time: 2-1 Attendance: 17,092