CLINT Dempsey scored twice as Wanderers came down to earth with a bump at Craven Cottage.

After the adrenaline-packed victory over Arsenal on Sunday, it was a familiar sinking feeling felt in the capital as Mark Hughes' Cottagers ensured their Premier League survival with a comfortable win.

Brede Hangeland added a third midway through the second half to virtually kill-off any remote hopes the Whites may have had of qualifying for Europe.

Wanderers may have seized the lead after only 38 seconds when Fabrice Muamba produced a weak effort – but that was just about as good as it got.

Jussi Jaaskelainen made two excellent saves to deny Mousa Dembele and Eidur Gudjohnsen before Dempsey volleyed home spectacularly for the first.

Tamir Cohen and Matt Taylor both tested Mark Schwarzer just before the break to hint at a revival, but soon after Dembele had thudded a shot against the crossbar after the restart, Dempsey became Fulham's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with a close range tap in.

Hangeland sealed the win with a towering header shortly before Gretar Steinsson limped off with a knee injury that puts his participation against Blackburn Rovers this weekend into serious jeopardy.

Ricardo Gardner came off the bench to make his 400th appearance for the Whites, but failed to make an impression as Coyle's side made it just one point from a possible 30 on their travels.