He may be deemed not enough for Australia, but John Filan's clean sheet on Saturday allowed unheralded Wigan Athletic to move to second on the English Premier League table.

The veteran goalkeeper was left out of the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but at this rate he will receive some international action in European club competition next season as the Lancashire minnows roar.

Wigan's 1-0 win over Fulham gave the club the strongest start by a promoted side to an English top flight campaign since Nottingham Forest 11 years ago, with their streak of 22 points from a possible 24 coinciding with Filan's return to the goalmouth.

Filan though had his heart in his mouth at one point when he raced out of his area to block a Collins John flick and there was a suspicion of handball that had the Fulham bench screaming for him to be sent off.

However replays suggest the ball rebounded of Filan's knee and onto his elbow, rather than being a deliberate use of the arm.

Ahmad Elrich came on in the 78th minute for Fulham - who were the better side on the day - only to witness the home side grab the winner in injury time.

Mark Schwarzer, who will take the gloves and likely the captain's armband for Australia against Uruguay, had as easy a day as one could contemplate against Manchester United as Middlesbrough flogged the faltering ex-power 4-1.

Mark Viduka remained on the bench all day, with the preferred Boro strike force of Jimmy-Floyd Hasseilbank and Ayegbeni Yakubu on song.

Tim Cahill played a full game for Everton as they recorded a much-needed 1-0 win at Birmingham City.

Cahill was prominent, forcing a good save out of Maik Taylor with a glancing header on 29 minutes and teeing up a headed chance for James Beattie before attempting an overhead shot at goal in the second half as the Toffees sought a second goal.

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