Fulham’s rediscovery of some away form, allied to their biggest EPL win of the season meant their flirtation with the EPL’s bottom three was brief, easing the pressure on under-fire boss Mark Hughes.

The Cottagers’ 2-0 win at Stoke shortly after Christmas was their first away from Craven Cottage in 26 EPL fixtures.

And their 3-0 trouncing of fast-fading West Bromwich Albion was their biggest win since a 6-0 Carling Cup trashing of League Two Port Vale in August.

Hughes said of the win over the Baggies: “I hope it settles everybody down. Things haven’t run for us but hopefully things are changing.”

Six points from their last three EPL games have moved Fulham up to 13^th in the table ahead of this Saturday’s FA Cup tie at home to League One outfit Peterborough United.

Like many other EPL managers, Hughes will rest a number of big names for the game, reportedly including captain Danny Murphy. Hughes told the Fulham Chronicle newspaper:

“We’re going to freshen it up at the weekend. A lot of the same players have had the big onus on them.”

Meanwhile, early transfer window speculation has linked the Cottagers, along with about half of the EPL, with wantaway Spurs striker Robbie Keane.

Fulham have also become favourites, ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers, to sign Aston Villa left-back Steve Sidwell.

The 28-year-old is reported to want a move away from the Midlands to be nearer his family home in Wandsworth, south-west London, a few miles from Craven Cottage.