Fulham 2, West Brom 0: Full time report
The danger was not over for West Brom, though, with Murphy's chipped through ball causing a mix-up between Barnett and Carson.
With the goalkeeper set to collect, Barnett dived to head clear but only succeeded in steering the ball towards the line.
Carson scrambled back to paw the ball wide but Tony Mowbray's side looked shell-shocked and Zamora volleyed over from another fine chance moments later.
West Brom started the second period as they had ended the first, fumbling for possession and firmly on the back foot.
Mowbray threw on Northern Ireland winger Chris Brunt after 50 minutes in an attempt to make something happen and his first contribution, a free-kick from the right, handed Marc Antoine-Fortune a decent headed chance.
His second touch, just three minutes after coming on, was even better.
The former Sheffield Wednesday man broke down the flank and sent in a vicious left-footed cross which again found Fortune.
The striker was just six yards out but opted to take a touch and could not bring the ball down in time to get his shot away.
Carson was back in action soon enough, pulling off a smart reflex save after the ball ricocheted off Barnett from close range.
With an hour gone Zamora finally broke the deadlock from a yard.
Etuhu sent the ball in from the right, Johnson glanced the lightest of headers to the far post and his partner touched home for only his second goal of the season.
After a 21-game barren streak, the relief was tangible and he almost scored a second when he lashed just over two minutes later.
Robert Koren and Borja Valero both went close from distance as the Baggies tried to hit back.
Normal service was soon resumed, though, with Fulham striking the frame of the goal for a fourth time.
This time the unlucky man was defender Hangeland, whose header was kept out by a combination of Carson and the bar.
But with 71 minutes gone the Cottagers had a richly deserved second, the newly-confident Zamora taking a long ball on the chest before drilling powerfully towards the top corner.
The ball rebounded off Carson and into the path of Johnson, who took a touch before slotting into the vacant net.
Mark Schwarzer then capped things off when he saved Bednar's stoppage-time penalty, awarded for a trip on the striker by Hangeland.
