Cole's brace gives Hammers a boost
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Carlton Cole scored a goal in each half as West Ham rallied to beat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage yesterday, boosting its hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Aaron Hughes put Fulham in front in the 11th minute but the team imploded in the final eight minutes of the first half, conceding goals to Cole and strike partner Frederic Piquionne.
Cole added his second goal in the 73rd minute to seal West Ham's first away win - and third overall - in the league this season. The victory lifts the visitors, who started the day on the bottom of the standings, level on 16 points with Fulham but below their London rivals on goal difference.
After a bright start from West Ham, Fulham took the lead when Simon Davies' cross found Hughes, who rose high to bullet a header into the top corner.
It was the Northern Ireland center back's first league goal since August 2004.
Fulham, which is without a win since October 30, dominated the next 20 minutes and striker Andy Johnson squandered two decent chances before a mistake by midfielder Dickson Etuhu helped West Ham draw level.
Recalled youngster Freddie Sears crossed from the right but Etuhu's interception sent the ball back into his own box, leaving Cole an opportunity to slot the loose ball into the net from six yards. Worse was to follow for Fulham minutes before halftime, when an unmarked Piquionne found space to volley in a cross by midfielder Scott Parker and give West Ham the lead.
Meanwhile, the Premier League matches between Blackpool and Liverpool and Everton and Birmingham were postponed because of the freezing conditions in the north of England.
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