Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was full of praise for his defensive trio after their 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough.

He said: "Aaron Hughes, Brede Hangeland and Mark Schwarzer have been so important for us all season.

"In this league, you are always up against good players, you are always up against good forwards, you are always up against players who cross the ball well.

"If your centre-backs and your goalkeeper are found wanting in any way, you don't get many points.

"Our quite good points total at the moment is due largely to the fact that those three have been very good, although I must say that the players in front of them, the midfield players and the front players, have worked very hard also to give them as much protection as possible."