FULHAM 2, HULL CITY 0
Cottagers spoil Bullard return
JIMMY BULLARD made his comeback after nine months out at the ground where they used to fully appreciate his efforts.
That was about as good as the news got for Hull City, who continue to look likely to finish lower than last season's 17th place.
Bullard was jeered and heckled by the majority of Fulham supporters who made it plain they feel he was greedy in securing a significant pay rise by moving to The KC Stadium.
Bobby Zamora was also pursued by the Tigers in the summer but opted to remain in West London and his decision looks vindicated after a starring role in his side's 2-0 victory.
The much-maligned striker grabbed his second league goal of the campaign when pouncing just before half time. Boaz Myhill kept out Damien Duff's shot but Zamora was on hand to head home the rebound.
He turned provider when selflessly creating the killer second for Diomansy Kamara, who netted with a close-range tap-in to finish off the toothless Tigers.
Hull rarely threatened with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Stephen Hunt guilty of terrible finishes.
Fulham had plenty of other chances, in comparison, with Zamora going close on a couple of occasions and Duff bringing the best out of Myhill.
Bullard's introduction as a substitute just before the hour mark at least livened things up and the home fans cheered when he was soon barged to the ground by Kamara.
For all the animosity, Hull's supporters will be cheered to see their expensive signing in action again and he could prove key to their survival chances.
The Cottagers lost their influential midfielder Danny Murphy to a knee injury which could rule him out of the Europa League contest with Roma and possibly a lot longer, depending on how the scan results turn out.
Roy Hodgson paid tribute to Zamora afterwards but acknowledged it is a team effort down by the Thames.
"Bobby wants to score more goals," said Hodgson. "I just want results. If you could tell me I could win every game 1-0 from now on but Bobby didn't score another goal I'd be happy.
"I'm delighted he scored but he's also an influential member of the team, holding up the ball and being our target, he brings people into the match.
"He scored one, made one and brought three or four good saves out of the keeper."
Phil Brown feels his side did not carve out enough openings to justify taking a point from the clash.
"In the first half we didn't create anything," he explained. "We defended resolutely but the first goal changed the dynamic.
"We're not here to play beautiful football, we're here to get a result."
This article has 1 comment
Your reporter has completely missed the point re Bullard and why he was booed.
This was not because he secured a better deal- that is any employee's prerogative - it was because rather than leave quietly, he chose to slag the club off in public and refuse to play for them.
A club that had supported and funded him through a nightmare injury.
Personally I didn't boo him, as I feel people need to control their emotions, but this was the reason that so many others did.
By Vaughan Webb. Posted October 20 2009 at 4:54 PM.