Source: PA
Hughes targets top 10 finish
Fulham manager Mark Hughes has backed his players to achieve a top-10 finish in the Barclays Premier League this season.
Clint Dempsey's majestic performance gave the Cottagers a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Bolton on Wednesday night and helped the midfielder into the club's record books.
The United States international's brace saw him break Fulham's club record for most Premier League goals by a single player, before Brede Hangeland wrapped up the result with a stooping header. The victory extended Fulham's unbeaten run at Craven Cottage to seven matches, during which time they have won 19 points out of a possible 21.
Hughes' side last tasted defeat at the hands of London rivals West Ham on Boxing Day, which left them facing a potential relegation battle. However, Wednesday's victory has pushed them to ninth in the table, all-but securing Premier League survival in the process.
"You will have heard me saying time and time again during the year that I felt we are a top 10 side," Hughes said.
"We are in the top 10 now, I think it is only the second occasion this year that we have been in the top 10 and now it is up to us to make sure we remain there until the end of the season because that is where I feel we should be. I think we proved that again here, we have got good quality, we play the right way and I think we deserve to be in the top 10."
