The Switzerland international fired his side ahead with 20 minutes gone and could have made what followed far more comfortable had he not shot against the crossbar from just six yards on the stroke of half-time.

But in the end, his contribution proved enough to win a game which the home side dominated for long periods, but failed to make the most of the chances they created.

In today's other English top-flight game, Roman Pavlyuchenko's winner at White Hart Lane lifted Tottenham out of the relegation zone and plunged 10-man Blackburn deeper into trouble.

Martin Olsson was guilty of an error in the build-up to Pavlyuchenko's sixth goal of the season, and the Rovers full-back's wretched afternoon was finished off within 39 minutes when he was dismissed for two bookings.

Rovers boss Paul Ince did not make eye contact as Olsson made for the tunnel after his two fouls on Aaron Lennon - the visitors were left a man short and have now gone eight league games without a win.