Albion 2 Fulham 1

Albion climbed to fourth place in the Premier League as they staged another impressive comeback.

They trailed to an unlucky ninth-minute own-goal from goalkeeper Scott Carson, who put through his own net trying to keep out a stinging drive from Baggies old-boy Zoltan Gera.

But the hosts controlled most of the game and they were behind for just eight minutes before Youssouf Mulumbu latched onto a pass from the outstanding Chris Brunt to score his first goal of the season.

Brunt then played his part in a fabulous move as Albion made it 2-1 with Marc-Antoine Fortune eventually side-footing home from a Jerome Thomas pull-back.

It meant a miserable return for Gera and fellow ex-Baggies Jonathan Greening, who received warm applause, and Diomansy Kamara, who was roundly booed.

Albion could have led as early as the fifth minute when Chris Brunt delivered a right-wing corner onto the head of Jonas Olsson. But the Swede, at full stretch, could only divert the ball over the bar.

They made life hard for themselves again when they fell behind on nine minutes.

Mulumbu was caught in possession and the Baggies backed off Gera, whose thunderous drive was pushed onto the post by the diving Carson, who was unlucky to see the ball hit his back and bounce in.

It could have been worse moments later but another Baggies old-boy, Kamara, fired wide after a mistake by Gonzalo Jara.

But the Baggies were level on 17 minutes when they broke with purpose and Brunt fed Mulumbu with a stunning pass that was turned in by the midfielder.

Stephen Kelly had to clear off the Fulham line to keep out a Olsson header as Albion upped the tempo.

The Baggies were ahead on 45 minutes when Mulumbu won a fabulous tackle inside his own half and started a fine Baggies move that ended with a goal.

Jara's ball bounced off Fortune to Brunt, who threaded a perfect pass for Jerome Thomas on the left, and the winger took his time to pick out Fortune for a simple finish.

The Baggies continued to hold the territorial advantage but they struggled to find the third goal that would have calmed nerves among the capacity home crowd.

Gabriel Tamas headed over from a Brunt corner and Paul Scharner drew an excellent save from goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal, keeping out a goal-bound effort after smart work by Brunt and substitute Roman Bednar.

There were appeals for a penalty when Jerome Thomas went down under Kelly's challenge but replays showed the Irishman had won the ball.

And James Morrison fired across goal and wide after being sent clear by apinpoint clearance from Scott carson.