Fulham earned their first point under Roy Hodgson on Tuesday night, taking a valuable point from the Reebok Stadium against Bolton.
Starting Line Ups
Bolton
Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kevin Nolan (c), Ricardo Gardner, Kevin Davies, Gretar Steinsson, Danny Guthrie, Gavin McCann, Joey O’Brien, Lubomir Michalik, Andy O’Brien, Matt Taylor
Subs: Ali Al Habsi, Jlloyd Samuel, Heidar Helgsuon, Andranik, Tamir Cohen
Fulham
Antti Niemi, Moritz Volz, Paul Konchesky, Aaron Hughes (c), Jimmy Bullard, Clint Dempsey, Simon Davies, Leon Andreasen, Danny Murphy, Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird
Subs: Tony Warner, Carlos Bocanegra, Philippe Christanval, David Healy, Hameur Bouazza
First Half Action
Roy Hodgson handed his two latest signings their Fulham debuts on Tuesday night. Brede Hangeland slotted in alongside captain Aaron Hughes at the back and Leon Andreasen formed part of the Hogson’s central midfield trio, alongside Murphy and Bullard. Davies and Volz supported on the flanks and Dempsey played as Fulham’s lone striker.
The Whites made arguably their best start to a Premier League fixture this season. There was an obvious improvement in the balance and organisation of the side and Fulham’s passing was fluid and well versed during the first half.
3 min Matty Taylor fired in the first shot of the game. Bolton earned a free-kick 25 yards from goal but Bolton’s latest recruit sent his set piece high and wide. Jimmy Bullard showed his fine range of passing in the opening minutes, firing in pinpoint passes to the feet of Konchesky and Dempsey.
7 min Some slick passing from front to back set up Dempsey for Fulham’s first opportunity of the game. Hangeland fed the ball through to Andreasen who teed up Murphy 40 yards from goal. Murphy’s through ball cut through Bolton’s defence and Dempsey beat the offside trap before firing wide from an acute angle 17 yards from goal.
13 min It was certainly a bright, positive start to the game by Fulham. The Whites were organised, efficient with their passing and dominated possession, especially in midfield where Bullard, Murphy and Andreassen linked up superbly.
15 min Andreasen almost made the perfect start to his Fulham career when he fired in a thunderous 30 yard, right footed shot. Jaaskkelainen could only tip the ball onto the post for a corner. Minutes later Bullard tried his luck from distance, forcing Jaaskelainen into a second save in as many minutes. Without doubt this was Fulham’s best start to a Premier League game this season.
21 min A Bolton free kick from deep was sent into Fulham’s area and the rebound fell to Steinsson on the edge of the area. The midfielder produced a fine acrobatic volley but Niemi was left untroubled. Moments later Bolton broke down the right flank and Guthrie should have done better. Unmarked on the right hand side of the area the midfielder stroked the ball wide.
23 min Fulham earned two free-kicks in quick succession within shooting distance. Murphy fired the first over the bar whilst Dempsey was caught offside from Bullard’s delivery on the second.
27 min Bolton went on the offensive as the half hour mark approached. Two quick breaks caught Fulham short at the back and a third attack in as many minutes left O’Brien unmarked on the right hand side of the box – fortunately for Fulham O’Brien fired his right footed shot straight into Niemi’s chest.
35 min The home side began to readdress the balance of power during the final 15 minutes of the first half. In possession Fulham looked comfortable but Bolton certainly posed a threat with their direct style of play, especially from set pieces with the likes of Nolan and Davies provided an aerial threat.
43 min The final action of the first half saw Steinsson burst down the right flank and deliver a fine cross from the by-line to the near post. Hangeland was first to react and pipped Davies to the near post to clear the ball to safety. The centre half certainly looked comfortable at the back, dominating in the air and comfortable on the ball during the first 45. Two minutes later Mark Clattenberg blew for half-time.
Second Half Action
Gary Megson made one change for the second half, replacing Joey O’Brien with Tamir Cohen. Fulham remained unchanged.
50 min Fulham continued to build from the back, passing the ball through midfield but lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Bolton’s approach was more direct but the home side looked to make inroads down the left flank. Moritz Volz almost caught out Jaaskelainen as the keeper controlled a back pass. A hairy moment for the Bolton keeper.
55 min Matty Taylor went within inches of breaking the deadlock after some fine work down the right flank from Steinsson. The right back raced to the by-line and delivered a fine pass to Nolan, racing in at the near post. Bolton’s captain flicked the ball between his legs towards the far post and Taylor slid in at the far post. Fortunately for Fulham Taylor could not match the pace of the ball.
60 min Bolton’s pressure continued. A series of corners, deep throw-ins and crosses from the flanks tested Fulham at the back but Konchesky and Hangeland made some timely interceptions at the back to keep the score level.
67 min Bolton attacked down the left through Taylor and as Bolton worked the ball into a central position Andreasen conceded a free kick 18 yards from goal. Guthrie stepped up but sent his right footed curling free-kick straight into Niemi’s arms.
69 min Gary Megson introduced his second substitution of the game with 20 minutes remaining, bringing on Andranik for Danny Guthrie. Moments later Fulham produced their first clear attempt on goal of the second half. Davies’ in-swinging free kick from the left found Dempsey whose header was well saved by Jaaskelainen.
70 min A Bolton free kick into Fulham’s area was punched clear by Niemi but the ball fell to Michalik on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s volley goalwards looped over Niemi and shaved the outside of the keeper’s post. Moments later Nolan went close with a header to the far post.
75 min Fulham produced their best move of the second half to set up Andreasen on the right hand side of the area. The ball was fired into Dempsey who dummied to free Andreasen but the midfielder’s shot from the angle went wide.
77 min After months of injury frustration Philippe Christanval returned to the fold, replacing Moritz Volz. Christanval slotted into central midfield and Andreasen moved wide right.
83 min Fulham rode their luck with seven minutes remaining. Bolton creating two good chances on goal but Michalik wasted the better chance inside the area. Both manager’s made immediate changes. For Bolton Matt Taylor was replaced by former Fulham striker Heidar Helguson and for Fulham Carlos Bocanegra came on for Leon Andreasen.
85 min Bolton continued to press down the left flank and Niemi handled one high cross to perfection with five minutes remaining. Roy Hodgson brought on his third and final substitution of the game, bringing on Hameur Bouazza for Jimmy Bullard.
90 min Neither side produced any notable threat as fulltime approached. The Fourth Official indicated three minutes of injury time and Bolton attacked with a series of direct balls into the area and substitute Cohen produced the final moment of incident, firing in a fine left footed volley from 25 yards. The ball screamed past Niemi’s far post and seconds later Referee Mark Clattenburg called an end to the game. The Whites received superb support from their travelling fans on Tuesday night and were applauded by all the players at the final whistle.
Fulham can be pleased with their performance at the Reebok and it was certainly an impressive performance by Brede Hangeland on his debut as the Whites left the Reebok with a clean sheet. Roy Hodgson’s side will now look to build on this result at Craven Cottage on Sunday when they take on Aston Villa.