Fulham secure home win

12 April 2012

Fulham came back from behind to record their first victory of the Barclays Premier League season and leave Bolton still pointless in 2007-08 after a 2-1 win.

The Trotters took the lead through Heidur Helguson - the man Bolton boss Sammy Lee bought from Fulham in the summer - but two goals in three first-half minutes allowed David Healy to equalise and Alexey Smertin to give the Cottagers the lead.

The Russian needed a huge deflection to do so but his 26th-minute strike turned out to be the last of an entertaining game.

Helguson was a central character in the first two goals, marking his first Bolton start in the absence of the injured Kevin Davies with an opener that is bound to be featured in future compilations of goalkeeping howlers.

Tony Warner had performed admirably at Arsenal on Saturday but was hugely at fault as he somehow dropped a ball into Helguson's path in the 13th minute.

A bump against the huge frame of Zat Knight following Nicky Hunt's huge throw had occurred but still his slip appeared to be completely avoidable.

Helguson, who cost the Trotters £2.1million, then helped his old club equalise and again it was from a long throw.

Knight was also involved again, heading the ball into the air, and when Helguson tried to nod away he succeeded only in clashing with Abdoulaye Meite and diverting the ball towards his own goal.

Healy was on it in a flash, controlling, turning and firing past Jussi Jaaskelainen in an instant to add to his opening day strike - which had also been a gift from a goalkeeper.

Jaaskelainen was given no chance three minutes later when Smertin tried his luck from outside the box and saw his drive veer off Gerald Cid and into the far corner of the net.

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