Friedel saved a penalty at a crucial point in the game from Steve Marlet and also denied the Cottagers on a hatful of occasions as the visitors pressed for an equaliser. What made it even more remarkable was Friedel had surgery just thirteen days ago on a knee injury.
Blackburn boss Graeme Souness admitted he was hardly surprised by his goalkeeper's heroics, it's not the first time this season he has rescued his team.
"He does it all the time in training," said Souness.
Rovers took the lead during a dominant first half performance in which Edwin Van der Sar made three excellent stops himself.
In the 35th minute Dwight Yorke coolly rounded off a wonderful flowing move by tapping home Damien Duff's pass.
Sylvain Legwinski missed a golden chance seconds before the interval when some vibrant Fulham passing worked a clear opening, but he lofted his shot over the top.
The visitors did equalise in the second half after Friedel had denied Luis Boa Morte.
Marlet raced clear off a static defence and kept his cool to drill past the American keeper.
Duff should have given Rovers the lead once more in the 63rd minute but his drive flew into the side-netting.
When Craig Short clumsily hacked down Boa Morte in the box, Fulham had the chance to go ahead but Friedel stunningly blocked Marlet's penalty.
Rovers' winner arrived in the 77th minute and came allied with a big slice of good fortune.
Yorke's header downwards was kicked off the line by Van der Sar, but the ball bounced back off Rufus Brevett and into his own goal.
There was still time for Friedel to deny Marlet twice and Boa Morte as Rovers were left hanging on at the end.
Visiting assistant boss Christian Damiano said; "We had five or six great chances. Blackburn played very well but we should have got a draw at the very least."