Bolton slump continues, lose 2-0 to Fulham

Bolton remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League after Fulham cruised to a 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Owen Coyle's side can have few complaints about their lowly position as they have now lost five successive matches and seven of their last eight in the league.

They are five points from safety and face a long struggle to avoid the drop into the Championship.

Inevitably it appears confidence is at rock bottom among the Bolton squad and Fulham took full advantage with two goals in quick succession midway through the first half from Clint Dempsey and Bryan Ruiz.

This was already Fulham's 31st match of a gruelling season bloated by their participation in the Europa League.

That European adventure is over after their midweek exit from Europa League group stages, but there was no sign of a hangover from Martin Jol's team, who won for just the second time in eight matches in all competitions.

Fulham were without England striker Bobby Zamora, who had failed a late fitness test on a medial ligament problem.

But Zamora's replacement Andrew Johnson sparked Fulham in the early stages when he played a one-two with Dempsey and fired just wide.

Cottagers captain Danny Murphy, back from injury, also threatened with a superbly-executed volley, while Johnson had a close-range shot blocked by former Fulham defender Zat Knight.

Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen had to push away John Arne Riise's drive from 20 yards and Fulham's pressure paid off as Dempsey broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute.

American midfielder Dempsey beat Dedryck Boyata to Ruiz's superb right-wing cross and directed a powerful header past Jaaskelainen.

Just 66 seconds later, Fulham doubled their advantage thanks to a moment of magic from Ruiz.

The Costa Rica international was put through on goal by Dempsey after outpacing Alonso and, having steadied himself, delightfully scooped the ball over the onrushing Jaaskelainen.

Coyle sent on Gretar Steinsson and Chris Eagles at half-time in a bid to revive his team, but it was Fulham who kept pressing.

Johnson was ruled offside when clean through on goal, while Dempsey came agonisingly close to directing home the striker's cross at the back post moments later.