Fulham cruise to 2-0 win over Hull

Oct 20, 2009 - 1:38 AM By GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Rare goals from Bobby Zamora and Diomansy Kamara enabled Fulham to see off the flimsy challenge of struggling Hull with a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage on Monday.

Zamora's goal was only his second in the Premier League this season and Kamara's was his first but Hull had no answer.

Not even the reappearance of Jimmy Bullard as a second half substitute after ten months out with a knee injury could save Hull from another setback.

Fulham's win took them up to 12th while Hull remain rooted in the bottom three with seven points and plenty of work to do to avoid another season spent fighting relegation.

Both goals had a hint of offside about them but overall Fulham were the better side and Hull manager Phil Brown had no complaints.

Brown said: "To concede a goal just before half time was a real blow. Until then I thought we showed some quality and if we had got through to the break at 0-0 it might have been a different story."

Zamora and Damian Duff each missed good chances for Fulham before the breakthrough in the dying seconds of an uneventful first half.

Duff's shot was parried by Boaz Myhill but only into the danger area and Zamora snapped up the rebound for only his fourth league goal in Fulham colours in 38 starts. How ironic that Zamora was wanted by Hull in the summer but the move did not go ahead.

Former Fulham midfield player Bullard, sold to Hull for five million pounds in January after the collapse of contract talks, entered the fray in the 58th minute in place of the ineffective Kamel Gilas.

Hull fans in the 22,000 crowd cheered loudly as Bullard made his reappearance but they were drowned out by the boos of home fans who remembered how Bullard threatened strike action at the height of his contract talks.

Kamara's goal came in the 64th minute when Zamora's cross found him free at the far post for another close range goal and after that Hull were a beaten side.

American striker Jozy Altidore came on for Stephen Hunt, who had missed a good chance for Hull in the 53rd minute, and near the end went close with a shot deflected over the bar.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was satisfied with his team's solid but unspectacular night's work against undemanding opposition.

Hodgson said: "We did what we had to do. Hull work hard and make if difficult for you to create your openings but we took our chances when they came along.

"I understand there is talk of offside in both goals but I could see nothing of that from where I was and I am satisfied the referee and linesmen got it right.

"I am pleased for Zamora and Kamara. Every striker thrives on scoring goals and it will do them good to be on the score sheet."