Clive Walker rolled back the years with a virtuoso display to inspire Fulham to a comprehensive victory over Bristol City at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The veteran winger’s wonderful performance ended the Whites’ miserable run of five games without a win just at the right time as their hopes of making the play-off places had been receding rapidly. The former Chelsea man signed off before a two-match suspension by opening the scoring with a fine free-kick after Gordon Davies had fouled inside the box. Davies tapped the ball to Walker, who blasted a brilliant effort through the wall from what appeared an acute angle.
Walker and Davies led the visiting defence a merry dance for the remainder of the first half, but Ray Lewington’s side couldn’t score a second goal. Doug Rougvie rattled the crossbar with a header and Keith Waugh did brilliant to turn away another Walker shot – and Fulham paid the penalty when Scott McGarvey nodded in a cross from Rob Newman to equalise for City.
Davies restored Fulham’s lead four minutes after the interval by stroking home a precise left-footed finish after being set up by strike partner Michael Cole. In an end-to-end spell, Alan Walsh failed to make the most of a glorious headed opportunity at the other end from Mark Gavin’s great cross before dreadful visiting defending allowed John Marshall to nod home from close range after a bout of head tennis following a Fulham corner.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Stannard; Thomas, Elkins, Roughvie, Langley, Marshall, Scott, Skinner, Walker, Cole (Donnellan 84), Davies. Subs (not used): Sayer.
BOOKED: Elkins.
GOALS: Walker (6), Davies (49), Marshall (64).
BRISTOL CITY (4-4-2): Waugh; Honor, Mardon, Pender, Bailey; Gavin, Newman, McClaren, Walsh; McGarvey (Stanley 62), Dolan. Subs (not used): Jordan.
BOOKED: McClaren, Bailey.
GOAL: McGarvey (27).
REFEREE: Mike Bailey (Cambridge).
ATTENDANCE: 4,461.
