On-song Zamora piles misery on hapless Hull
Zamora struck his second Barclays Premier League goal of the season before setting up a second for strike partner Diomansy Kamara as Fulham climbed to 12th in the table.
Zamora believed Fulham thoroughly deserved their win and said afterwards: “The hard work has paid off. In previous games we’ve worked hard and not got the result we deserved but we deserve the three points tonight.”
“We dominated the game with good possession, good football and good chances. Maybe we should have got more goals but we’re over the moon.”
An abysmal Hull side now remain mired in the relegation zone with little hope of escaping if they continue to play like this.
Bullard’s arrival in the 58th minute failed to spark a revival, the record £5million signing instead having to contend with a hostile reception from the fans who once idolised him.
The 30-year-old midfielder was making only his second appearance for Hull after suffering a serious knee injury on his debut last January.
From the moment he appeared for the warm-up he was jeered, with the volume increasing upon his appearance from the bench and reaching a crescendo when Kamara sent him tumbling to the floor.
Fulham supporters, remembering his contribution in keeping the club in the Premier League last year, were opposed to Bullard’s departure but boss Roy Hodgson was never convinced.
Surrounded by his lifeless Hull team-mates, he made little impact with Damien Duff instead emerging as the star performer in a one-sided contest.
It was Fulham’s third Premier League victory of the season and Duff was their most creative player, proving a constant menace to the Tigers.
The Republic of Ireland winger produced the first meaningful act when he floated in a dangerous free-kick that Hull keeper Boaz Myhill punched to safety with Zamora lurking.
Neither side had produced a clear-cut chance but Duff, back in Fulham’s line-up after recovering from a calf injury, looked capable of creating something.
A low shot from Duff forced a smart save from Myhill at the near post as the Irishman tried desperately to breath some life into the match.
The deadlock was broken two minutes before half-time when Myhill pushed a powerful shot by Duff into the path of Zamora who nodded home.
Stephen Hunt hoofed a half-chance 30 yards into the stands as the second half got off to a predictably lifeless start.
With both sides conceding possession amid a glut of unforced errors, the game was suffering as a spectacle. Bullard appeared amid a chorus of boos and when Kamara shoulder barged him onto the pitch moments after arriving, the home fans erupted in their loudest cheer of the night.
Murphy limped off and was replaced by Jonathan Greening and by the 64th minute Fulham were two goals ahead.
Hull’s defence was becoming increasing ragged, allowing Zamora to find space down the right which he exploited with a jet-heeled run into the area.
Looking up, he picked out Kamara at the far post and the Senegalese smashed the ball home from close range.
Kamara could have made it 3-0 but his shot slipped the wrong side of the left post before Zamora tested Myhill with a strong late attempt.
FULHAM: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff (Gera 84), Murphy (Greening 60), Baird, Dempsey, Zamora, Kamara (Nevland 87).
HULL: Myhill, McShane, Sonko, Kilbane, Dawson, Zayatte, Ghilas (Bullard 58), Marney, Geovanni, Hunt (Altidore 69), Vennegoor of Hesselink (Mendy 80).
Referee: Andre Marriner.
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