Brian McBride's goal was enough to earn the Cottagers three vital points against Everton on Sunday.

The victory was Hodgson's second in charge of Fulham, and although the Londoners remain second from bottom they have given themselves a fighting chance to avoid relegation.

Yet Hodgson knows that standards will not be able to slip from here on in if they are to win the fight for survival.

"We did well (on Sunday) but there is still a lot of work to do. We are working at it," said the former Inter Milan manager.

"I have got to be positive and against a good team vying for fourth place in the league, I would defy anyone to say there was a major class difference between the two teams.

"I am pleased with the hunger, appetite and desire of the players. When I came here things were not good and the players were beginning to hang their heads. But people have stood up to be counted. Morale is always low when teams are losing. That is a fact of life."