Scott Parker coy on taking Fulham role permanently after third straight win

Fulham claim battling 1-0 victory over Cardiff at Craven Cottage

Saturday 27 April 2019 19:35, UK

Scott Parker refused to rule out becoming Fulham manager full-time after a third straight win under his stewardship.

Parker has been in temporary charge of the Cottagers since stepping up from his role as first-team coach when Claudio Ranieri was sacked in February, and they have picked up a third of their 27-point tally from the eight matches since he took the top job.

When asked if their latest win - a 1-0 triumph over Cardiff at Craven Cottage - had strengthened his position, he said: "From the outset, all I can do is what's in my control, and that's setting up the team to try to win games and be organised.

"We're doing that and the players have been different class to me and how we're trying to do things - and we're enjoying things at the moment."

It took a superb goal from Ryan Babel 11 minutes from time to settle a scrappy game, although Aleksandar Mitrovic also missed two fine chances earlier in the second half.

Parker said: "We said before the game we'd have to build and we needed to make sure it didn't go into a lull, and we were playing against a really disciplined side. In the end it was a wonder-strike to win us the game.

"It was a tough afternoon, but really pleasing. Another clean sheet was good too against a competitive team. We knew what we were expecting, they're fighting for their lives, and we had to stand up and be counted at times."