Defeat at the Cottage

By Matt Lawton
April 23 2002

A demoralising defeat for the Wanderers away to relegation rivals Fulham means that Bolton could still be dragged back into the relegation dogfight.

Fulham 3 Bolton Wanderers 0

Bolton fell to a defeat away to relegation rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Wanderers dominated the first half and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after Kevin Nolan was fouled in the area before Fulham midfielder Bjarni Goldbaek scored from the edge of the area against the run of play after the ball was punched away from a corner although it seemed that Wanderers defender Bruno N'Gotty was fouled in the lead up to the corner from which the Cottagers took the lead. Shortly after falling behind German international Fredi Bobic was foiled by a fantastic save by Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
The tables were turned in the second half when Fulham put Bolton under immense pressure and the Wanderers defence finally cracked when substitute Steve Marlet gave Fulham some breathing space before former Bristol Rovers striker Barry Hayles fired home to give the Cottagers a comfortable looking win.