Strike duo Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora, who ended a miserable run dating back to September 13 without a Barclays Premier League goal, were on target at Craven Cottage.

"After a bit of a run around at Old Trafford the other night it was nice to get three points on the board," Murphy, the man of the match, told Sky Sports.

"It gives us now a nine, 10-point cushion from the bottom three and we can look upwards rather than downwards."

Fulham were thwarted by the woodwork four times, but Murphy insists his side were confident of emerging with a victory.

"If you know you're playing well, you genuinely think the chances will come," he added.

"It's when you're not playing so well you have to worry. Overall it was a deserved win and a thoroughly good performance."

However, Murphy is aware Fulham have more to do to ensure their top-flight safety.

"I'd probably say three wins, four more wins to do it for sure," he added.

"We know better than most you're never there until the last day of the season. We're not complacent, we've been there last season and don't want to be there again.

"But today we've shown how far we've come this year, especially at the Cottage.