Fulham ease past blunt Sochaux to reach final

SOCHAUX 0, FULHAM 2,

After surviving a spirited first-half effort from the French side, the Londoners leading 1-0 from the first leg secured a meeting with Italian club Bologna for a place in the UEFA Cup.

Legwinski broke the deadlock in the 64th minute, beating Jean-Baptiste Daguet with a great header from a Sean Davis free-kick.

Hayles had a header cleared off the line in the 69th minute but he made sure of the win with a rasping left-footed drive three minutes later.

Sochaux were made to regret a controlled but blunt performance in the first half.

With Fulham ahead from the first game, the onus was on Sochaux to take the game to their visitors.

The French side almost took the lead in the 14th minute but Sylvain Monsoreau saw his volley cleared off the line by Alain Goma.

Sochaux goalkeeper Daguet was equal to Louis Saha's header from a Steed Malbranque free-kick two minutes later.

In the other goal, Edwin van der Sar was tested by a 30-yard lob from Mickael Isabey, the Holland international scrambling back just in time to make the save.

The second half was a different story, however, with Fulham quickly establishing the upper hand.

A volley from Steve Marlet skimmed past Sochaux's right post before Legwinski put the visitors ahead, sending a looping header over the stranded Daguet.

Sochaux wasted a good chance to get back into the tie just a minute later when Maxence Flachez saw his header turned over the bar.

But Hayles all but killed the game off, setting off on a surging run that took him past two defenders before thumping the ball home.

SOCHAUX: Daguet, Tall, Saveljic, Flachez, Monsoreau, Oruma, Chedli, Mathieu, Isabey, Boudarene, Zairi.

FULHAM: Van der Sar, Ouaddou, Brevett, Melville, Goma, Legwinski, Marlet, Malbranque, Saha, Davis, Boa Morte.

Referee: F Wack (Germany).