Bobby Zamora played a starring role for Fulham on Monday as they eased to a 2-0 victory over underperforming Hull City.
Cottagers make light work of Brown's men
Bobby Zamora played a starring role for Fulham on Monday as they eased to a 2-0 victory over underperforming Hull City.
The Cottagers frontman scored one and made the other as Roy Hodgson's side enjoyed a comfortable night's work at Craven Cottage.
The hosts notched either side of half-time to put the toothless Tigers to the sword, with Diomansy Kamara putting the seal on a well-earned three points.
Fulham controlled proceedings for much of the opening period and Zamora and Damien Duff both went close before combining to force the opening goal.
Duff crashed a stinging volley goalwards on 43 minutes and after Boaz Myhill could only parry clear Zamora was on hand to guide a diving header into the empty net.
The Cottagers continued to dominate after the interval and added a second after 64 minutes when Zamora broke clear and dragged a cross-shot across the face of goal for Kamara to tap home.
Clint Dempsey flashed inches wide moments later as Fulham piled on the pressure, while Kamara could have doubled his tally for the evening had he kept his composure when presented with a clear sight of goal from eight yards out.
Creative
It was Fulham's third Premier League victory of the season and Duff was their most creative player, proving a constant menace to the Tigers.
The Republic of Ireland winger produced the first meaningful act when he floated in a dangerous free-kick that Hull keeper Myhill punched to safety with Zamora lurking.
Neither side had produced a clear-cut chance but Duff, back in Fulham's line-up after recovering from a calf injury, looked capable of creating something.
Skipper Danny Murphy erupted at Kamara after mis-hitting a long pass that he accused the Senegal marksman of failing to chase, though it was a hopeless ball that he had no chance of reaching.
Unperturbed, Kamara set up a superb chance for Zamora but the Fulham striker stabbed his shot over the crossbar from five yards out.
A low shot from Duff forced a smart save from Myhill at the near post as the Irishman tried desperately to breath some life into the match.
The deadlock was finally broken two minutes before half-time when Myhill pushed a powerful shot by Duff into the path of Zamora who nodded home.
Erupted
Stephen Hunt hoofed a half-chance 30 yards into the stands as the second half got off to a predictably lifeless start.
With both sides conceding possession amid a glut of unforced errors, the game was suffering as a spectacle.
Hull's former Cottager Jimmy Bullard appeared amid a chorus of boos and when Kamara shoulder barged him onto the pitch moments after arriving, the home fans erupted in their loudest cheer of the night.
Murphy limped off and was replaced by Jonathan Greening and by the 64th minute Fulham were two goals ahead.
Hull's defence was becoming increasing ragged, allowing Zamora to find space down the right which he exploited with a jet-heeled run into the area.
Looking up, he picked out Kamara at the far post and the Senegalese smashed the ball home from close range.
Kamara could have made it 3-0 but his shot slipped the wrong side of the left post before Zamora tested Myhill with a strong late attempt.
| Fulham |
Team Statistics |
Hull City |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
0 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 7 |
Corners |
4 |
| 15 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 5 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 80.3 |
Passing Success |
70.2 |
| 16 |
Tackles |
13 |
| 62.5 |
Tackles Success |
76.9 |
| 59.5 |
Possession |
40.5 |
| 53.1 |
Territorial Advantage |
46.9 |
|
