Boa Morte may quit Fulham in summer

Manager Coleman may have thought he had little choice after losing striker Louis Saha in the transfer window last year. The Frenchman eventually joined Manchester United for £12.85 million at the end of the mid-season trading period and the ugly episode and its hangover damaged Fulham's prospects.

Coleman is determined there will not be a repeat. His wisdom was underlined yesterday as Boa Morte was one of the few Fulham players to emerge with much credit despite the important win.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was another and he is the other player whose contract situation Coleman needs to sort out. The Dutchman's future is unclear as he will be a free agent in the summer and can already talk to other clubs about next season.

There was fresh speculation about a move to Manchester United at the weekend but Coleman said Fulham have not received a bid.

The manager made Van der Sar captain in the absence of the suspended Andy Cole yesterday and was repaid for his faith in the 34-year-old. He hopes Boa Morte's decision to sign will help in negotiations with the goalkeeper.

Coleman said: "Everybody was saying we were going to lose Boa Morte and he signed a new contract. If we can get Edwin to put pen to paper, which I am confident we will, it will be a big boost for us."

Van der Sar kept Fulham in the game against West Brom with several fine stops from Robert Earnshaw, Kevin Campbell and Ronnie Wallwork before the break.

Boa Morte was the only real threat for Fulham with crosses, shots and even a header causing problems for Russell Hoult.

Both sides had penalty appeals turned down late on with Fulham claiming Wallwork handled and West Brom arguing Campbell was fouled by Fulham's Zat Knight.

But there was no dispute about Diop's goal from a Mark Pembridge corner and Coleman, who called his side's performance "rubbish", can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

His side are nine points clear of the relegation zone and the manager confirmed Ben Thatcher is expected to sign from Manchester City this week to give his defence some much needed experience.

Coleman's only new concern is the ankle injury Steed Malbranque suffered yesterday, which is set to keep him out of the FA Cup replay against Watford on Wednesday and the trip to Birmingham next Saturday.