Hugo Rodallega's first-half goal was enough to give Fulham a crucial victory in their pursuit of Barclays Premier League survival and condemn Neil Adams to defeat in his first game as Norwich manager.
Rodallega's close-range finish in the 40th minute gave the Cottagers their second consecutive win for only the second time this season and moves them to within two points of safety with four matches to play.
Norwich, who have now lost their past seven away fixtures, arguably had the better chances in a pulsating contest at Craven Cottage but the visitors lacked incision in the final third.
Delighted: Hugo Rodallega celebrates with Steve Sidwell after scoring for Fulham
Goal! Rodallega fired past John Ruddy in the first half as Fulham took a vital lead at Craven Cottage
Behind you: Goalkeeper John Ruddy fails to stop Hugo Rodallega from scoring
Match facts
Fulham: Stockdale, Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta, Kasami (Dejagah 57), Sidwell, Diarra (Kvist Jorgensen 85),
Richardson, Holtby (Parker 69), Rodallega.
Subs Not Used: Stekelenburg, Riise, Roberts, Bent.
Booked: Kasami.
Goals: Rodallega 40.
Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Turner, Olsson, Johnson, Fer (Hoolahan 68), Howson (Murphy 79), Snodgrass, van Wolfswinkel (Hooper 60), Redmond.
Subs Not Used: Bunn, Garrido, Ryan Bennett, Tettey.
Booked: Fer, Whittaker, Snodgrass.
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
The Canaries now face an unenviable task to hold off their relegation rivals with their remaining games coming against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Adams made six changes to the Canaries starting XI as Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Nathan Redmond, Leroy Fer and Bradley Johnson were all recalled. Steven Whittaker and Michael Turner also returned from injuries in defence.
Fulham made just one change from their 2-1 victory over Aston Villa as Rodallega replaced Cauley Woodrow up front.
The hosts started brightly and had the first shot of the game in the fifth minute when Pajtim Kasami drove forward from midfield but his shot from distance went well wide.
Moments later Redmond drew a sharp save at the other end with a snapshot towards Robbie Stockdale's near post as Norwich gradually settled into the game and began to enjoy the majority of possession.
Whittaker's lofted cross-field pass lured Jonny Howson into an audacious volley but his effort was deflected behind.
Breakthrough: Fulham's Rodallega scores past Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy
Scramble: Norwich John Ruddy loses the ball from a corner
Hurry up: Norwich caretaker manager Neil Adams runs across the pitch towards the dugouts
You were warned: A fan treats his bleeding nose after being hit in the face with a ball while standing behind the warm up net
Double time: Fulham's Mahamadou Diarra (right) and Steve Sidwell battle for the ball with Norwich City's Ricky van Wolfswinkel (left)
Just before the quarter-hour mark, a routine ball up to Kasami was flicked into the path of Rodallega who stumbled before firing wide of the far post.
Norwich were the more measured side in possession but their slow build-up play was easy to absorb for the hosts, who looked to find their front two at every opportunity.
It was the Canaries though who had the best chance of the match in the
28th minute when Martin Olsson's cross found Van Wolfswinkel and his
first-time finish produced an excellent save from Stockdale.
Tangle: Fulham's Mahamadou Diarra (left) goes downin challenge from Norwich City's Leroy Fer
Quick feet: Norwich City's Leroy Fer (left) takes on Fulham's Steve Sidwell
Close up: Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson has a shot at goal
Focused: Norwich caretaker manager Neil Adams keeps an eye on the action
On the ball: Leroy Fer of Norwich takes on the Fulham defence
The Fulham stopper was called into action again from the resulting corner as Fer's header was saved and Johnson put the rebound wide.
The Cottagers were rattled and with the home crowd agitated, John Heitinga committed a needless foul 25 yards out. Robert Snodgrass nearly made him pay but the midfielder's bending free-kick clipped the bar on its way over.
The home side regained their composure however and in the 40th minute took the lead as Lewis Holtby delivered a free-kick from the left and Rodallega half-volleyed high into the net from close range.
The second period began just as frantically as the first with Snodgrass testing Stockdale out early on with a shot from the edge of the box.
Jump for joy: Fulham's Brede Hangeland, left, and keeper David Stockdale celebrate after the final whistle
Despair: Robert Snodgrass can't hide his disappointment after defeat at Fulham
Floored: Nathan Redmond sits on the pitch
Positive: Sebastien Bassong gives thumbs up to fans and tries to console Nathan Redmond
Dropped in it: Norwich fans fear the worst with four tough fixtures to come
Rodallega almost doubled the hosts' lead in the 55th minute but his downward header was cleared off the line by Olsson.
Norwich should have equalised moments later as Johnson's chipped ball through found Olsson whose heavy touch across the box looked certain to give Snodgrass a simple finish but Brede Hangeland scrambled across to make a crucial block.
The home side seemed to lose energy as the second half went on but while Norwich began to dominate possession, the visitors struggled to create any clear-cut chances.
Take off: Fulham defender John Heitinga dives in
No way: Norwich midfielder Robert Snodgrass is tackled by Fernando Amorebieta (left) and Brede Hangeland
Delight: Goalscorer Hugo Rodallega celebrates victory with Lewis Holtby and Pajtim Kasami
Turner went close from a corner in the 74th minute but his header towards goal was diverted away by Rodallega.
Fulham grew increasingly nervy in the latter stages but the expected Norwich onslaught never really materialised.
Instead it was the Cottagers who should have finished with a flourish as Ashkan Dejagah blazed over with only the keeper to beat but it made no difference as the hosts were able to see out a vital victory in the race for survival.
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