A Clint Dempsey brace helped to ease any lingering relegation fears for Fulham as they comfortably beat Bolton.

Eidur Gudjonhsen missed a great chance, skewing wide, before Dempsey fired in a rising volley to open the scoring.

Gudjohnsen's chipped shot deflected on to the post but Dempsey slotted in from the Icelandic striker's flick.

Moussa Dembele's effort was deflected on to the bar as Fulham pressed, then Brede Hangeland's header from a Danny Murphy free-kick sealed the win.

It was no more than Fulham deserved, their enterprising play - and the creative and incisive Dempsey - proving too much for a jaded Bolton side.

The result lifts Fulham to ninth place in the table, eight points above the drop zone with four games to play.

Although not mathematically safe from relegation, Mark Hughes's men are now in a strong position to secure their top-flight status - and if they continue to play in this rich vein of form, they will do it in style.

Bolton, already all but safe, looked like a side with little to play for, even though they went into the game with slim hopes of achieving a Europa League spot.

That now looks highly unlikely given they are nine points behind fifth-placed Tottenham, who occupy the position which guarantees entry into that competition.

Fresh from severely denting Arsenal's hopes of winning the title, Bolton could have caused damage at the other end of the table but never looked to have the same hunger as last time out, as they were unable to produce a repeat of their FA Cup victory at Craven Cottage in February.

Shorn of the injured Daniel Sturridge, the visitors lacked threat up front and were lethargic throughout their line-up.

In contrast, Fulham started the game at pace and their intensity did not drop.

From the moment Dempsey tested Jussi Jaaskelainen with a low drive early on, you could sense there was only ever going to be one winner at Craven Cottage.

Gudjohnsen should have got on the scoresheet but was through his shot before the ball arrived and fired horribly wide from six yards.

But Dempsey applied a clinical finish when his chance came, driving in a volley after Chris Baird hooked a corner back across goal.

The lively Dembele latched on to a through ball and forced Jaaskelainen into another decent stop before Gudjohnsen was denied when one-on-one with the keeper, whose body deflected the striker's shot on to the post.

Bolton were finally stirred into a response but Mathew Taylor shot tamely at Mark Schwarzer and then Tamir Cohen wasted the best chance of the half for the Trotters when his finish lacked power and was easily saved.

Fulham wasted no time in reasserting themselves after the break and Dembele's shot from just outside the box was deflected on to the bar.

Almost immediately after that, the Cottagers struck their second when a well-worked corner was delivered into the box, Gudjohnsen flicked the ball on and Dempsey displayed razor-sharp predatory instincts to turn the ball home.

With little resistance coming from Bolton - a shadow of the side that beat Arsenal - Fulham pressed at will and were almost rewarded again when a smart free-kick fashioned a chance for Dembele.

The striker's precise turn gave him space and his shot fizzed just past the post.

Hughes's men did not have to wait long for their third, though, and it came from another set-piece.

Murphy's brilliant delivery from a free-kick on the right was met by the towering Hangeland, who sent a powerful header back into the far corner.

Date of match:
Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Results:
{H} Fulham (3): Dempsey 15, Dempsey 48, Hangeland 65
{A} Bolton (0): -