Bobby Zamora returned to Fulham's line-up for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Bolton Wanderers. The striker was rested in midweek against Blackburn Rovers but recovered from a sore hip to take his place in Manager Roy Hodgson's starting eleven at the Reebok Stadium.

Fulham had a one-point advantage over Bolton Wanderers ahead of Saturday's 3pm kick-off and during the opening stages it was a fairly evenly matched contest.

For the home side Matt Taylor made a bright start to the game down Bolton's right flank but despite some neat build up play Bolton failed to deliver in the final third and Fulham looked more than comfortable when under pressure from Gary Megson's side.

Following the disappointment of their midweek defeat to Blackburn Rovers, Roy Hodgson's side looked well organised, efficient in possession and in positive mood. Fulham quickly settled into their natural passing game. John Pantsil fired Fulham's first shot of the game, a speculative volley over Jaaskelainen's crossbar from 30 yards after 13 minutes of play.

Opportunities were few and far between for both teams as the contest wore on but Bolton should have taken the lead on the half hour mark but failed to capitalise on a goalmouth scramble in Fulham's area.

Brede Hangeland was adjudged to have fouled Kevin Davies in an aerial challenge 30 yards from goal and Schwarzer could only parry the resulting set piece into Cahill's path six yards from goal. A battle for possession ensued inside the area and Fulham were lucky to escape Bolton's first serious threat on goal.

All the first half's action came in the final ten minutes of the half. First Matt Taylor fired the ball past Mark Schwarzer after latching on to Ricardo Gardner's through ball but Taylor was clearly offside and the linesman's flag was raised well before the midfielder fired his effort towards goal.

Two minutes later Jussi Jaaskelainen kept the scores level with a superb close range save to deny Bobby Zamora. Fulham attacked down the left flank and Paul Konchesky's cross was brought under instant control by Zamora on the six-yard line. On the turn Zamora fired towards goal but was denied by Jaaskelainen's athleticism. The keeper dived low to his right to push the ball wide of goal.

Roy Hodgson's side continued to threaten as half time approached and Bolton looked vulnerable from a series of corners and crosses from both flanks. The pressure eventually told and it was a defensive mistake by Andy O'Brien that allowed Andy Johnson to take advantage and poke the ball home from close range.

O'Brien failed to deal with a through ball down the middle of the park from Simon Davies and as the ball ran past both O'Brien and Jaaskelainen, Fulham striker Johnson sprinted clear of both players to fire home from close range only minutes before the break.

Seconds before Referee Chris Foy blew for half-time Kevin Davies brought Bolton level with a shot from the right hand side of the area. Davies played a neat one-two with Taylor on the edge of the area and managed to turn Konchesky before sending his shot past Schwarzer and into the far corner of the net. The game was level going into the break and Fulham had let their advantage slip.

At the start of the second half both teams created chances to regain the initiative. First Danny Murphy caught Bolton on the counter with a perfectly weighted through ball to Zamora down the right flank. The striker attempted to play Johnson in on the far post but his pass was intercepted before his strike partner could capitalise.

Moments later Elmander went even closer at the other end when his shot from the right hand side of the area was deflected wide of goal thanks to Schwarzer's diving save. Bolton were left to rue their missed opportunity when Simon Davies earned Fulham a two-one lead after 54 minutes of play with a well placed strike from the right hand side of the area.

Andy Johnson started the move that led to Davies' goal. The striker raced towards Bolton's back-line down the left flank and as the home side's defence retreated under pressure Johnson stumbled on the 18-yard-line. Danny Murphy followed up and sent in two successive shots from the left hand side of the area. Murphy's first effort was blocked before his second came back off the cross bar. Fortunately, Davies was on hand to make it third time lucky from the right hand side of the area and Fulham were back in front.

After taking the lead Fulham were forced to soak up Bolton's pressure as the home side took a more direct approach to goal. To their credit Fulham rarely looked troubled. The work rate of Hodgson's side was admirable and Bolton's physical approach was matched to a man, especially during the final twenty minutes of the game.

The final ten minutes saw Bolton desperately trying to reduce the deficit as Fulham headed towards their first Barclays Premier League away win of the season. Five minutes from full time Roy Hodgson replaced Zamora with Diomansy Kamara. Despite Bolton attacking in waves as the clock ticked down there was always the chance Fulham would catch Megson's side on the counter attack and Kamara's introduction turned out to be a master stoke by Fulham's manager.

Barely a minute from full time Fulham did indeed catch Bolton on the break and Clint Dempsey selflessly played in an unmarked Kamara on the left hand side of the area. The striker made no mistake with his finish, smashing a left footed drive into the corner of the net before racing away to celebrate with Fulham's travelling army of supporters.

Seconds later Chris Foy blew for full time and Fulham were celebrating a vital away win which moved Roy Hodgson's side into ninth place on 37 points on Saturday evening.