After exiting the Europa League, in such dramatic style, in midweek, Fulham got back to winning ways this afternoon.
For the second Premier League game in succession, Bobby Zamora was absent from the named eighteen. This time our talented striker was missing due to a knee problem. With Mark Schwarzer side-lined for up to six weeks with a spinal injury, David Stockdale was between the posts. Danny Murphy who had missed the midweek Europa League action was fit enough to take his usual place in the midfield, alongside Dickson Etuhu.
Fulham – Stockdale, Riise JA, Hangeland, Senderos, Baird, Murohy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Johnson, Ruiz, Dembele
Subs – Etheridge, Kelly, Hughes, Gecov, Duff, Frei, SA
First Half – With Fabio Capello watching from the stands it was to be Fulham that were to have the better of the first half.
But, the first chance of the half fell to Bolton with Reo-Coker firing a shot across the goal and wide. Andrew Johnson then slipped an effort wide after being put through before a header from a Danny Murphy corner, from Brede Hangeland, went just wide.
The deadlock was broken though with thirty-two minutes played. Bryan Ruiz cut in from the flank and Clint Dempsey did well to get to the cross and steer his header into the net.
The Craven Cottage faithful had barley sat back down in their seats before the lead was doubled with a gem of a goal, the same two players, Dempsey and Ruiz, combining with Ruiz latching onto a ball from Dempsey to hold off the challenge of Alonso before cleverly lifting the ball over the Bolton keeper, Jaaskelainen.
The half finished with Bolton creating a chance when Re-Coker engineered some space on the right and his ball into the area was met by Mark Davies but his low shot was well saved by David Stockdale in the Fulham goal.
Second Half – Owen Coyle made two changes at half time bringing on Steinsson and Eagles for Boyata and Pratley.
Johnson had a good chance to stretch the lead but it came too nothing before the impressive Eagles set up a chance for Muamba but his shot from some twelve yards out was tame.
A flowing move involving Riise, Etuhu and Murphy saw the midfielder slip a great ball for Johnson to deliver an inviting cross for Dempsey but the American could only hit the side-netting with his effort.
Eagles, pushing forward, saw a shot from twenty-two yards whistle just the wrong side of the post before Johnson was deprived of a chance of wrapping things up when Cahill, despite Johnson being through, pulled off a remarkable saving tackle.
Three points for Fulham and they`re most welcome as we prepare to face Manchester United, at Craven Cottage, in midweek.
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