McBride goal earns Fulham rare win

Brian McBride scored the lone goal on Sunday in Fulham's 1-0 win over visiting Everton, giving the struggling club their first victory in the Premier League in more than a month.

Fulham's to climb out of the relegation zone was also helped by fellow struggling club Bolton's 1-0 loss to 10-man Wigan.

Bolton 25 points in 18th place, with Fulham one place and two points behind.

Only five points separate 14th-place Reading from Fulham in 19th.

Also on Sunday, Manchester City rallied to beat Tottenham 2-1 with goals from Nedum Onuoh and Stephen Ireland.

McBride his second goal of the season in the 67th minute in windy, rainy conditions at Craven Cottage. Simon Davies sent a cross into the box after a run down the left, and Joseph Yobo's failed clearance fell to McBride, who headed it in.

McBride three games in August before hurting his knee and only returned to the team last month.

Eddie Johnson, one of five US players in the Fulham line-up, came close to doubling the lead in the 88th when he sent a powerful shot just over the bar.

Everton Fulham 3-0 at Goodison Park in December, but the Toffees still haven't won at Craven Cottage since 1966.

It was Fulham's first win since a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Feb. 3 -- and only their fourth this season.

"We can look forward to the last eight games with optimism," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said. "We started extremely brightly but Everton know how to defend and grind out results."

"The goal was vital. For us the difference between one and three points in the match was everything," he said.

Everton's dented their hopes of keeping up with city rivals Liverpool in the race for fourth place and the final Champions League spot. Everton have 56 points in fifth place, while Liverpool have 59 in fourth.

Onuoha in City's winning goal in the 72nd minute, 13 minutes after Ireland had leveled the score by tapping the ball in from 5m.

Robbie Keane had put Tottenham ahead in the 32nd minute, sending a ball from a sharp angle off the inside post and in.

The match was watched by City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, who recently returned from facing corruption charges in his native Thailand.

It was the club's first win since beating Manchester United 2-0 on Feb. 10.

City Sven-Goran Eriksson said he would be meeting Thaksin yesterday.

"It is important he tells us what he wants to do with the club in one year and three years," Eriksson said. "I dream of being part of that. We have a very good team."

Wigan a man down after only five minutes when midfielder Jason Koumas was red carded for a late tackle on Bolton's Gary Cahill. But the Latics took the lead in the 34th when Emile Heskey, who volleyed into the net after a long throw from Mario Melchiot, scored his first goal since August.

"I've looked at the challenge and I don't think it is a red card," Wigan manager Steve Bruce said. "He's tried to win the ball, it's one-footed and I think that because of the climate we are in, it is leaving the referees in a difficult position."

Bolton made nine changes from the second-string side that lost to Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, with goalkeeper Ali al Habsi and defender Gary Cahill the only survivors. Manager Gary Megson was disappointed his "harsh words said at half-time" did not work.

"We've rested players midweek for this game and clearly it hasn't worked because we didn't turn up or start well," Megson said. "We looked lethargic and leggy and weren't good enough and we are right in the cart."