Source: Telegraph
Fulham 1 Bolton Wanderers 1: match report
Damien Duff rescued a point for Fulham and kept up their long unbeaten record against Bolton Wanderers, who have not beaten them since 1992. [LNB]Ivan Klasnic's first-half goal had given the visitors hope of lifting themselves out of the relegation zone until Duff equalised, but at least Gary Megson's men showed they have the fighting spirit of old, as six yellow cards testified. [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League tablePremier League actionPremier League fixturesSport on televisionBolton opened the scoring in the 35th minute with an excellent strike from Klasnic. Gretar Steinsson hurled in a long throw from the right, Gary Cahill headed towards goal twice, and the second time the ball dropped to Klasnic. The Croatian striker had his back to goal and Breded Hangeland breathing down his neck, but he showed excellent technique to control the ball with his first touch and then spin and shoot past Mark Schwarzer in the Fulam goal. [LNB]It was Bolton's only significant attack on goal, and gave them real hope of a first win over Fulham in the Premier League. The Cottagers, who were increasingly frustrated by Bolton's robust tacklng and occasional timewasting, stepped up a gear after half-time. [LNB]They had been denied time and time again by a Bolton defence superbly marshalled by Gary Cahill. Steinsson made three vital blocks in swift succession early in the game, heading Erik Nevland's shot off the line, then taking the ball off Clint Dempsey's toes in the goal area and heading away the resulting cross. [LNB]Fulham continued to press after half-time, with Dempsey having a long-range free-kick deflected on to the roof of the net and then seeing his header cleared off the line by Matt Taylor. [LNB]Duff curled a shot through a crowded penalty area but Jussi Jaaskeleinen made a good save, which the Finn surpassed moments later when he dived full length across his goal to tip over a blistering half-volley from Nevland, 25 yards from goal. [LNB]But the keeper was finally beaten in the 75th minute when Zoltan Gera won the ball in midfield and passed it to Nevland, who in turn fed Duff. The Irishman received the ball with his left foot and then deceived his marker but using his less favoured right foot to shoot diagonally past Jaaskeleinen into the far corner of goal. [LNB]Fulham went all out for the winning goal, with Dempsey shooting over in the closing minutes, while at the other end Steinsson could have stolen a rare victory for Bolton had he not put his header over the bar from a central position in the final minute. [LNB][LNB]
