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Andrew Raeburn at West London Sport |
Fulham (0) 1-0 (0) Bolton
Tom Cairney’s 77th-minute winner ensured Fulham ended their season with a victory and a rare clean sheet.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s side dominated possession and passed up a series of opportunities against the League One-bound Bolton.
Matt Smith, making his first league start since December, posed the Bolton defence problems and only a great Lawrie Wilson block prevented him from tapping in in the opening minute, while he also glanced a header wide from a corner.
Cairney had a couple of efforts on goal as well, but the closest Fulham came in the first half was through the unlikely source of Dan Burn.
The centre-back made a charging run through Bolton territory and was unlucky to see his left-footed drive from the edge of the box hit the base of the right-hand post.
Bolton started the second half an improved side and veteran former England striker Emile Heskey went close when his header dropped just over the bar.
When Fulham stirred from their slumber, Smith headed wastefully wide from a Ross McCormack cross and Emerson Hyndman fired at Bolton keeper Ben Amos after being played in by neat skill from Scott Parker.
Then, with 13 minutes to play, came the goal Fulham deserved. Smith’s header was pushed out by Amos, but Cairney collected the loose ball 15 yards out and planted a left-footed shot in the far post.
The home side finished the game strongly, with Cairney curling just wide and Amos making a double block to deny Smith and McCormack, while the nearest Bolton came to an equaliser was a deflected Neil Danns effort which dropped past the post.
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