West Brom manager Tony Mowbray insists his side have the self belief they need to compete in the Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Fulham lifted them to eighth place.

Striker Roman Bednar's second-half effort - his third goal of the campaign - ensured back-to-back wins for the Baggies.

It was no more than Albion deserved after dominating the second 45 minutes and Bednar could have claimed a hat-trick, hitting the bar from 35 yards and being denied at point blank range by Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Mowbray said: "We know we played against a decent team today, particularly in the first half and, with Clint Dempsey dropping off the front, they gave us plenty of problems.

"They reminded us of our team at our very best in the first half. They moved the ball around well. Jimmy Bullard and Danny Murphy are top players.

"On the second half performance I think we warranted the victory. We had the better chances, created more chances second half and I'm delighted with the effort we put in to get the points.

"Today's result was important. It keeps the momentum going and gives the players the confidence and belief they can compete in the league and we shouldn't fear whoever we play."

Victory ensured Albion have enjoyed their best start to a Premier League campaign - 10 points from seven games - but Mowbray is not getting carried away, particularly with a trip to Manchester United next on the horizon.

He said: "I don't tend to set targets and goals for the players. The next game is the important one and we've got to be ready to go to Old Trafford, make life difficult for them, and see if we can pick something up there.

"It is a bit early to talk about where we might finish. We've just got to look at the next game. We are happy to pick up the points and happy to keep going along.

"We can feel the quality out on the pitch of the teams we are playing this season and we are trying to live with it.

"Our aim is to compete in every game and pick up as many points as we can. Let's keep going, let's compete and see how we get on."

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson felt his side deserved some tangible reward from the game although most of their opportunities came from outside the box.

He said: "I did think had we taken one of the many chances that came our way, we wouldn't have been trying again to come back from one nil down.

"We tried very hard, had chances again. It wasn't to be and at the moment we are going through one of those spells where I can't really criticise the players for what they are doing on the field - their effort, quality of play even.
"It is not getting the results and that is a very frustrating situation to find yourselves in.
"It sounds strange but I can't be unhappy with the performance. I am only unhappy with the result. In this league every point dropped is a very important point dropped."