Fulham 1-1 Bolton MOTM: Sammy Ameobi

When Bolton re-signed Ameobi in the summer, I wasn’t ecstatic. He’d had a great loan with us in League One but that was League One. A scorer of some beautiful goals and looking like Bambi on ice in equal measure, I just didn’t think he had it in him for the Championship. For me, this game confirmed I was wrong.

A hard working and more cohesive team was on show at Fulham. Wheater (again), Henry and Little were all outstanding but Ameobi really is lifting this team up to a level were Bolton Wanderers look like they can at least compete properly in the Championship.

He absolutely destroyed Sessegnon (in particular) and Ream (remember him) on the left of Fulham’s defence. Still all legs but at least they now seem to be permanently connected to his brain. He is a real threat going forward.

But it isn’t just goals and trickery that gets my attention, Ameobi tracked back when needed and got stuck in when needed. After blowing out of his arse, in admittedly awful conditions last week against QPR, Ameobi now looks like he is getting back to full fitness.

What’s more is that he is building a great partnership with Little on that right hand side. Both players work well off each other and that can only be to Boltons benefit in the games to come. Despite all their pretty football, Fulham got no joy whatsoever down our right flank until Ameobi went off with suspected cramp on 68 minutes.

The icing on the cake though was his goal. After breaking done a Fulham attack, Beevers passed back to Alnwick, one inevitable huge boot upfield later, Ameobi controls the ball, admittedly on the second attempt, dribbled between Ream and Kalas before banging it past the hapless Button. Great goal.

So step forward Sammy Ameobi, worthy winner of the LOV MOTM award.