Bobby Zamora struck twice to help Fulham beat Blackpool 3-nil this morning to lift his team closer to Premier League football safety and plunge their visitors deeper into relegation trouble.
Zamora, making his first league start in seven months since breaking his leg, scored twice in five minutes in the middle of the first half in a victory that lifted Fulham to 10th and left Blackpool in 17th, one point above the drop zone.
His opener was a sizzling right-footed shot into the roof of the net and his second a back-header after a pinpoint free kick from Danny Murphy from the right.
Fulham, who have not lost at home in the league this year, dominated throughout and added a third in the 72nd minute when Dickson Etuhu tapped in a square ball from Brede Hangeland after Clint Dempsey had hit the post with a header.
Meanwhile Manchester City have leapfrogged Chelsea into third place after thrashing Sunderland 5-nil.
Roberto Mancini's side have 56 points, with defending champions Chelsea one point behind.
Leaders Manchester United went seven points clear on 66 after coming back from two goals down to beat West Ham United 4-2 on Sunday while second-placed Arsenal are 59 after being held nil-all at home to Blackburn Rovers.
