Steven Caulker brace helps Cardiff City to victory over Fulham

Steven Caulker scored twice as Cardiff City beat Fulham 3-1 in a crucial meeting between two struggling sides in the Premier League on Saturday.

Cardiff started the game the better and came close to opening the scoring when Fraizer Campbell beat a couple of defenders before forcing Maarten Stekelenburg into a fine save.

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Craig Noone tried his luck with a couple of efforts from the edge of the box but chances proved to be difficult to come by in a cagey first half in the Welsh capital.

However, the hosts found themselves ahead just before the break when Noone retrieved possession following a Cardiff corner and crossed for Caulker, who converted from close range.

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Lewis Holtby was agonisingly close to equalising early in the second half but his volley was pushed to safety by David Marshall.

Cardiff's goalkeeper could not prevent the German from finding the back of the net in the 59th minute when John Heitinga's header was tapped in at the back post by the midfielder.

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Fulham only managed to stay on level terms for eight minutes as Caulker doubled his tally for the afternoon by finding space in the box to head home from a corner.

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The hosts earned breathing space in the 71st minute when Sascha Riether, who had seen Stekelenburg deny Campbell, was powerless to prevent the ball from striking him and rolling over the line.

Cardiff's third goal proved to be the killer blow as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side secured three crucial points in their battle to avoid relegation.