Fulham 2
Helguson(P) 12, McBride 35
Middlesbro' 1
Viduka 74
Fulham 2 Middlesbrough 1 December 18 2006
Middlesbrough remain deep in trouble at the wrong end of the Premiership after losing 2-1 at Fulham on Monday night.
First-half goals from Heidar Helguson and Brian McBride were enough to sink Boro, whose late strike from Mark Viduka proved merely a consolation.
The defeat means Gareth Southgate's side remain outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Helguson put the hosts ahead on 12 minutes from the spot ater Moritz Volz had been tripped in the box by George Boateng.
Boro almost equalised immediately but James Morrison's devilish cross was cleared by Philippe Christanval.
It was end-to-end stuff and Tomasz Radzinski could have doubled the home side's lead but his final shot when through was weak and play immediately raced to the other end where Mark Viduka's low effort was saved.
Franck Queudrue headed just wide against his former club before Yakubu's swerving effort was pushed away for a corner by Antti Niemi, back in the Fulham goal after a recent injury.
McBride made it 2-0 on 35 minutes.
The American was given too much time on the edge of the box and was allowed to pick his spot in the bottom corner, the ball being helped on its way by a slight deflection off Chris Riggott.
The game was not so open after the interval.
Fulham could still have wrapped things up but Mark Schwarzer palmed away a looping header from Helguson.
The game appeared to be meandering towards the final whistle but with 16 minutes to go, Mark Viduka set up a grandstand finish.
The Australian pounced on a poor clearance and raced clear of the home defence to slot the ball beyond Niemi.
Fulham climb up to 11th as a result of their win.