Fulham boss Roy Hodgson insists he always had faith in his players to pull off the `great escape' and avoid relegation.

Hodgson's side looked set for the Championship when they trailed by two goals to Manchester City on April 26 but an astonishing three-goal comeback helped to ease their fears.

Their survival hopes were given a further boost last weekend when they overcame fellow strugglers Birmingham 2-0 at Craven Cottage. Now a win against Portsmouth in their final game on Sunday will ensure their top-flight status for another season.

"I wish there were six or seven more games left to play," said Hodgson. "Then I would be feeling really confident that we could pull ourselves out of it. I fear we've left it very late but the great thing is we go into the last game with a chance of success.

"I've got to say, three or four weeks ago, our chances of survival looked so slim. But we didn't lose faith and we've always thought we could do what we've done.

"It would be a great achievement by the team and I'm just a part of it. We've got an excellent coaching staff and the players have responded magnificently. The longer we've worked, the better they've got. I am, first and foremost, a coach. I get out on the field everyday and work on our attacking and defending."