Andy Cole strikes twice to sink Fulham

Man-of-the-match Andy Cole scored twice as Blackburn Rovers signed off for the season with a convincing 3-0 win against his old club Fulham.

The former Manchester United striker scored on 53 and 81 minutes to take his tally to 13 in 20 games since joining the Lancashire club in December.

Damien Duff was the other scorer as Graeme Souness's League Cup winners finally beat Fulham for the first time in four attempts and ensured they finished the season in 10th spot, three places above their west London opponents.

Cole, who announced his retirement from international football on Thursday after missing out on England's World Cup squad, could have had a hat-trick in the first half.

He finally broke the deadlock as Fulham goalkeeper Maik Taylor dallied over a clearance, leaving Cole to stroke the ball into the empty net.

The second Blackburn goal arrived 13 minutes later when Matt Jansen -- another who missed out on an England call-up -- played a clever ball into Duff who slipped a low shot beyond Taylor from eight metres.

Cole scored his second nine minutes from time when he rounded Andy Melville before flicking a neat finish into the far corner.

Fulham, who had few chances on goal, were denied late on in the game as Bjarne Goldbaek hit the bar.