After a somewhat measured start to the game from both sides, Bolton registered the first attack on goal when Nigel Reo-Coker fired a speculative effort wide from a narrow angle on five minutes. The Whites crafted a more promising situation two minutes later when Clint Dempsey threaded a pass through to the rapidly advancing Andrew Johnson – unfortunately with only Jussi Jaaskelainen to beat, Johnson rolled his left-footed finish past the far post.

Certainly, of the two sides, Fulham were enjoying greater possession in threatening areas, forcing the Trotters to defend uncomfortably deep. Bolton, mainly looking to build their attacks off Kevin Davies’ knockdowns and flick-ons, were finding little joy in their attempts to work the ball further up the pitch.

Threatening both from open and set-plays, Fulham continued to look dangerous with Dickson Etuhu and Brede Hangeland coming close to breaking the deadlock from two Danny Murphy corners.

As the half-hour mark approached, Fulham started building up a real head of steam. A free kick from John Arne Riise deflected dangerously in front of goal and Clint Dempsey worked numerous promising positions as Jaaskelainen’s goal came under intense pressure.

Fulham deservedly took the lead on 32 minutes with a wonderfully directed header from Clint Dempsey from Bryan Ruiz’s right wing cross. Dempsey placed his header beautifully past Jaaskelainen from 10 yards.

Fulham doubled their lead soon after courtesy of typically audacious finish from Bryan Ruiz. This time Clint Dempsey was the provider, setting Ruiz away in a central position. The Costa Rican international closed in on Jaaskelainen before scooping the ball over the keeper.

Making a composed start to the second-half, Fulham maintained the upper hand. Bolton struggled to deal with Fulham’s attacking midfield trio of Dembele, Dempsey and Ruiz as the Fulham men displayed technique in abundance in front of the Bolton penalty area.

Owen Coyle elected to switch his attacking options early in the second-half, replacing target man Kevin Davies with David Ngog. To their credit Bolton spiritedly continued to search for a way back into the game; however this was at the cost of leaving themselves exposed to the counter-attack.

The Whites were aware of this and only a couple of marginal offside decisions prevented the Whites from putting Bolton further to the sword. The absence of Kevin Davies for Bolton helped make life easier for Brede Hangeland and Philippe Senderos in the air.

A driving run across the face of goal from Andrew Johnson saw the Fulham man skip past two challenges before seeing his left-footed shot blocked. Zat Knight then had Bolton’s travelling fans on the edge of their seats late on when, accompanied by Johnson, he elected to head the ball back to his keeper – handing a prime opportunity to the Fulham striker when the ball fell predictably short. Unfortunately Jaaskelainen collected comfortably from Johnson’s attempted lob.

As the clock ran down, Fulham looked in no mood to surrender a two-goal advantage for the second time in two games and professionally guarded their lead right up to the final whistle.

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