ILLUSTRATING one of the most farcical features of football in the 21st Century, Fulham went into Saturday's Premiership game at Leeds still needing a victory to be sure of avoiding relegation yet knowing just three more points could secure them a place in Europe!

Jean Tigana knows he cannot count on 37 points being enough to beat the drop so he has spent this week getting his players to forget the misery of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea and concentrate on survival.

Nevertheless, all Fulham have to do to secure their first ever European qualification place is to finish above Everton.

Why? Because of the Intertoto Cup - the much-maligned competition that shortens players' summer holidays and offers clubs a back door into the UEFA Cup.

In a complicated application procedure, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Ipswich all applied to enter the competition at the third round stage. With Chelsea and Newcastle already guaranteed European football through their league positions and Ipswich strongly tipped for the drop, Villa look set to snatch that place.

Fulham, Everton, Leeds and Derby all applied to enter the cup at the second round stage, and with Leeds also guaranteed a place in the UEFA Cup and Derby unable to catch Everton, the fight is now on between Tigana's men and the Merseysiders.

But the Frenchman with the toothpick will only turn his attention to continental matters once he knows his team are safe - and that could still be an issue when Wanderers travel to The Cottage on Tuesday.

Tigana is adamant that all that matters now is staying in the top flight, and said after the semi-final defeat: "It's normal that we are very disappointed and it's very sad for our fans.

"But we need to keep our focus on staying up. The main difference between the sides was experience of playing at the top level.

"It was a match that summed up our season. We did not play too badly and had our chances but we did not score.

"That's been our problem and why I'm very frustrated. We are badly missing a goalscorer but it's a team problem.

"I'm finding it difficult to sleep because of these problems."

Fulham's shirt sponsors Pizza Hut are reportedly close to severing ties with the club after just one season.

The restaurant chain are thought to be unlikely to extend their deal with the Craven Cottage club after being less than happy with the television coverage Jean Tigana's side have received since their promotion to the Premiership.

With the financial backing of Mohamed Al Fayed, The Cottagers were expected to enjoy a solid first season back in the top flight, but Pizza Hut are said to be disappointed with the team's struggle against relegation despite their impressive run to the FA Cup semi-finals.