Midfielder Danny Murphy headed home the goal, and potentially the most valuable one of his career, in the 76th minute to make sure the Cottagers remain in the Premier League for another season.

That one goal also made Reading's 4-0 win at already relegated Derby, and Birmingham's 4-1 victory over Blackburn, hollow. They will be playing Championship football next season.

It was a miraculous escape for Fulham, who seemed down and out a month ago, when they lost at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Since then, they have beaten Manchester City, Birmingham and, now, Portsmouth.

Yet, Harry Redknapp's side, even without the injured David James and Sol Campbell, had ample opportunity to sink their visitors.

Jermain Defoe, Niko Kranjcar and Pedro Mendes all went close, but they really did not threaten Fulham's brave defence too much.

Those Fulham fans who turned up, including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant, were down in the dumps long before half-time, after hearing relegation rivals Reading and Birmingham had both gone ahead.

Then came a free kick in the 74th minute.

Jimmy Bullard sailed the ball into the area, and former Liverpool player Murphy, given all the room and time he needed by Pompey's defence, steered a simple header home to save himself a place in Fulham folklore and send the fans wild with delight.

Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed, who promised his players caviar and Viagra if they beat relegation rivals Birmingham two weekends ago, raised his fists in joy at the final whistle.

'It was a difficult game but they had determination and they fulfilled their promise to me, which is fantastic,' he said, also paying tribute to manager Roy Hodgson.

'We have a fantastic guy, full of humour and conscience. I think he will stay for us and I hope we will stay up all the time.'

The best that can be said for Reading was that they went down fighting.

The sight of manager Steve Coppell making a late walk onto the Pride Park surface, after the final whistle, to show his appreciation for over 3,000 dejected Reading fans, was a poignant one. Whether he returns for another season is in doubt.

Raising Reading from the Championship will be a huge ask for Coppell, as it will be for Derby manager Paul Jewell, as he watched his side concede four goals for the ninth time this season. Leroy Lita, Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson and James Harper further embarrassed the worst defence in the top division.

Reading could not have done more than they did. But their failings in front of goal in the last six games proved to be their undoing, as it left them no longer the masters of their own destiny.

Birmingham fans turned on chairman David Gold and co-owner David Sullivan as their side's relegation was confirmed, despite Cameron Jerome's double against Blackburn, reported PA Sport.

Chants of 'The board must go' were aimed towards the directors' box, once it became clear there was going to be no Houdini act for Alex McLeish's side.

David Murphy's first-half goal was cancelled by Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen, before substitute Jerome struck twice. Fabrice Muamba added a fourth in injury time.

Birmingham have paid the price for a season of turmoil, which was undermined by the protracted and ultimately failed takeover bid by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

That resulted in Steve Bruce quitting as manager, after he could get no assurances about his future, and heading for Wigan, whom he has kept in the top flight.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE