London, Mar 14: Fulham beat Leeds 2-0 in English Premier League. After a poor first half with few chances, Leeds started the second brightly with Didier Domi forcing a good save from Edwin van der Sar in the 47th minute. Three minutes later, Fulham came even closer as Paul Robinson made a double save from quickfire header by Mark Pembridge and Barry Hayles. In the 54th minute Hayles squandered an easy chance when he headed wide with the Leeds goal at his mercy. Smith had an opportunity at the other end but shot straight at van der Sar. But then Fulham then took control and the breakthrough came in the 71st minute when Steed Malbranque fed the ball to Sean Davis who calmly slotted the ball home. Seven minutes from time Boa Morte sealed Leeds' fate as he headed home from Zat Knight's cross.


In the dying seconds, substitute Simon Johnson almost produced a consolation goal for Leeds as he fired against the crossbar.


But Fulham thoroughly deserved the win that left Leeds, still in deep financial trouble, firmly rooted to the bottom of the league.


English league soccer standings after Saturday's matches: Premier league P W D L F A Pts 1. Arsenal 28 21 7 0 55 18 70 2. Chelsea 28 19 4 5 50 21 61 3. Manchester United 27 18 4 5 51 25 58 4. Charlton Athletic 28 12 7 9 39 34 43 5. Newcastle United 27 10 12 5 38 28 42 6. Birmingham City 28 11 9 8 30 30 42 7. Liverpool 26 10 9 7 38 29 39 8. Fulham 28 11 6 11 41 38 39 9. Aston Villa 27 10 7 10 32 32 37 10. Tottenham Hotspur 27 10 4 13 39 43 34 11. Middlesbrough 28 9 7 12 29 35 34 12. Bolton Wanderers 28 8 10 10 32 44 34 13. Southampton 27 8 9 10 27 27 33 14. Everton 28 8 8 12 34 39 32 15. Blackburn Rovers 28 7 7 14 39 46 28 16. Manchester City 27 6 9 12 36 39 27 17. Leicester City 28 5 11 12 38 51 26 18. Portsmouth 27 6 6 15 29 41 24 19. Wolverhampton Wanderers 27 5 9 13 24 52 24 20. Leeds United 28 5 7 16 26 55 22

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