Duff finds form at perfect time

Damien Duff, the Fulham winger, is discovering his form of the season at a perfect time as far as the Republic of Ireland are concerned.

Duff at his best would be a major asset for Ireland at the European Championships — and he was certainly impressive in a victory which added to Bolton’s concerns near the foot of the Premier League.

He was hailed as “unbelievable” by his manager Martin Jol after tormenting Bolton left-back Marcos Alonso and producing a pinpoint cross for Clint Dempsey to head home the crucial second goal.

Jol said the 33-year-old adds discipline to his side as well as dazzling footwork, comparing him to one of the world’s top wide men.

“I’ve known Damien for a long time — I’ve played against him,” he said. “If you get Damien on the ball higher up the pitch he’s like [Arjen] Robben. But if you have to defend he will work because he is educated like that, he’s unbelievable.

“He’s disciplined, he’s a team player and I think he gave the left full-back a really bad day.”

Dempsey curled home a stunning free-kick to give the visitors the lead and doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time.

The American took his tally to 21 in all competitions and became Fulham’s highest ever Premier League goalscorer in a single season with 15, indicating why the club are eager to tie him down to a new deal.

Dempsey has a year left on his contract but is waiting until the summer before deciding on his future. “We’ll just have to see what happens,” he said.

“Some of my best memories have been at Fulham. I still have this season and one more to be at the club. I am talking with the club, but we’ll just have to see what happens in the summer.

“I just want to wait until the season has finished before I talk about anything. I want to focus on this season, I want to focus on my football and that other stuff can take care of itself.”

Mahamadou Diarra completed the rout with a simple tap in from John Arne Riise’s cross — and Nigel Reo-Coker refused to sugarcoat his verdict on a defeat which brought Bolton thudding back down to earth after three successive wins, leaving them one point above the drop zone.

“You could see from the start we lacked that bit of spark. That little bit of belief,” said the experienced Bolton midfielder.