Fulham thump Bolton

Bolton - A first-half brace from Clint Dempsey sealed three points for Fulham as they beat Bolton Wanderers 3-0 on Saturday, giving the London side a morale-boosting away win but keeping the Trotters close to the drop zone.

Fulham, in 10th spot going into the match at Bolton's Reebok stadium and having won only twice away from Craven Cottage this season, broke the deadlock on the half-hour.

Dempsey fired in a long-range free-kick past Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan, taking the US forward past Louis Saha's club record of 13 goals in a Premier League season.

Bolton rallied briefly, with Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer called on twice in quick succession to save a 25-yard strike from David Ngog and a shot from Nigel Reo-Coker.

Martin Petrov also saw his effort from the edge of the area blocked by Brede Hangeland.

But it was Fulham who found the back of the net, when on the stroke of half-time Dempsey headed in from close-range after a cross from Damien Duff, making his 350th career league start.

In the second-half Owen Coyle's Bolton came out fighting but despite repeated attacks on the Fulham goal could not find a way through, as Fulham absorbed the home side's pressure well and launched a string of counter-attacks.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Mohamadou Diarra put the result beyond doubt for the visitors in the 79th minute, sliding in from close range for his first goal for Fulham after John Arne Riise broke away down the left.

The defeat ended Bolton's winning run of three successive league wins and a dearth of goals for Fulham that has seen them fail to score in their last three league outings.

Bolton stay in 16th spot on 29 points, above QPR on 28 points, who take on league leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.