McBride: We back Coleman

Brian McBride today insisted that the Fulham players are united in support of beleaguered manager Chris Coleman.

The striker said: "I don't even understand [speculation about his future], he is a very good manager. He works very well with assistant Steve Kean and everybody is up for playing for him."

McBride's second-half equaliser could not prevent Coleman's team from falling to a fourth successive defeat, though the American took heart from Fulham's vastly improved performance.

He added: "It was a great effort by the team. Our energy was good, the talk was better and the movement off the ball was really good. If we missed a tackle, there was someone there that was getting a tackle in, and the composure on the ball was a lot better, so those are things that are positive for the weekend."

Fulham face Norwich on Saturday, and Coleman might well be tempted to keep faith with the 4-4-2 formation that allowed McBride to partner Andy Cole in attack.

Coleman said: "I'm proud of the guys but Saturday's game is a monster one for us. We have got to go to Norwich and show the same enthusiasm and commitment."

Chelsea's matchwinner Frank Lampard had some words of comfort for Fulham.

He said: "If they carry on playing like that they are going to win games in the league. I think they have got enough quality to string a run of results together that can push them up to mid-table and onwards."

Lampard will travel to next week's Champions League clash with Porto separately from the rest of the Chelsea players in order to attend his grandfather's funeral.