Transformed Fulham storm to victory

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Fulham 4 Bolton 0

Fulham clinched their first home league victory of the season in emphatic fashion, demolishing struggling Bolton at Craven Cottage.

Goals from Hugo Rodallega, Fernando Amorebieta, Lasse Vigen Christensen and Tim Hoogland secured a third win in four matches under caretaker boss Kit Symons, surely boosting his chances of being given the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

Rodallega netted his third goal of the season, firing home after Matt Mills’ slip, before Amorebieta headed in Bryan Ruiz’s left-wing free-kick seconds before half-time.

Christensen netted midway through the second half, finishing nicely after the ball had been pulled back to him by Rodallega – the Danish youngster’s first senior goal.

And right-back Hoogland found the bottom corner after being teed up by substitute George Williams – his fourth goal of the campaign.

Fulham were on top from the opening whistle and Ruiz would have put them ahead had keeper Andy Lonergan not superbly saved his driven shot – or had Ross McCormack not been offside when slotting the rebound into the net.

But the Whites only had to wait until the ninth minute for the opening goal. McCormack played the ball into the box and after Mills lost his footing, Rodallega took full advantage.

Lonergan then produced another fine save to temporarily prevent Fulham doubling their lead, diving to his left to tip Kostas Stafylidis’ shot on to the post.

Darren Pratley almost equalised against the run of play when his side-footed volley from Liam Feeney’s cross hit the top of the bar.

But Fulham were otherwise dominant and after defender Amorebieta scored his second goal for the club there was no way back for struggling Bolton.

Rodallega had an effort saved by Lonergan and McCormack sent a delicate chip just over before Christensen’s goal ended any real prospect of a Wanderers comeback and Hoogland’s strike capped a great night for Symons and his team.

Fulham (4-1-2-1): Bettinelli; Hoogland, Bodurov, Burn, Amorebieta; Parker (G Williams 70); Christensen, Stafylidis; Ruiz; McCormack (Roberts 80), Rodallega (Woodrow 78).
Subs not used: Kiraly, Kavanagh, Hyndman, Smith.

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