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AFTER EXTRA TIME Stelios Giannakopoulos came off the bench to score his first goal for 18 months which sent Bolton into the next round of the Carling Cup. The Greek international had a hernia operation over the summer and hadn't featured in any games since pre-season. The introduction of Stelios wasn't a surprise as manager Sammy Lee made nine changes to the side which drew with Spurs at the weekend. Full debuts were handed to Danny Guthrie and Ali Al-Habsi, while Lubomir Michalik also made his first appearance of the season, partnering Abdoulaye Meite in the heart of the Bolton defence. Bolton were the first to threaten and almost took the lead inside seven minutes. Mikel Alonso's free-kick met the head of Daniel Braaten forcing Fulham goalkeeper Kasey Keller into a good save. It was Fulham who had the next opportunity. Hameur Bouazza's 20-yard free kick forcing Al-Habsi into a bright save. Wanderers were unlucky not to take the lead on 20 minutes when Carlos Bocanegra deflected an Alonso shot into the side netting with Keller beaten. From the resulting corner, Gerald Cid forced the goalkeeper into another fine stop. Cid was also having a good game at the other end, playing left-back, the Frenchman managed to get good blocks on shots from Bouazza and Simon Davies. The visitors should really have taken the lead just before the break. Braaten found himself one-on-one with Keller, but the American goalkeeper managed to block the Norwegian's shot and divert the ball out of play for a corner. But Bolton did take the lead soon after the break. Fulham failed to clear a cross into their box and debutant Guthrie powered a stunning 25-yard volley into the top corner. Wanderers, with new found confidence almost doubled their advantage soon after, Nicky Hunt's pass picked out Braaten, who one-on-one again, shot wide of Keller's near post when he really should have scored. Al-Habsi kept Bolton in the lead by keeping out Clint Dempsey's effort after a good flowing move from the hosts deserved an equaliser. Fulham didn't have to wait long for their goal though, substitute David Healy pounced on an error from Meite and fired the ball through a crowd of players and only just over the line. The game then went into extra time, with Fulham looking the most likely winners after Healy and Diomansy Kamara both hit the woodwork. But they were punished for not taking their chances with 8 minutes to go when Stelios, making his first appearance of the season managed to hold of a challenge from Paul Koncheskey before slotting the ball past Keller to give Sammy Lee's men the victory they were desperately looking for. Lee will take his side to Pride Park on Saturday where they will face the Premier League's bottom club Derby County in a game they simply have to win. |
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