Fulham clinch Euro glory

Inamoto proved too much to handle for Bologna

Fulham 3-1 Bologna (Agg 5-3)

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A Junichi Inamoto hat-trick ensured Fulham's first European title as the Cottagers triumphed in the Intertoto Cup.

The Japanese midfielder, who was released on a free transfer by Arsenal in the summer, was in sensational form as the Cottagers triumphed 3-1 at Loftus Road for a 5-3 aggregate win.

First leg: Bologna 2-2 Fulham

The victory also ensured the Premiership side's passage into the Uefa Cup.

Inamoto opened his account in the 12th minute, finishing off a one-two with Facundo Sava.

  Key moments

12 mins: Inamoto drills the ball past Pagliuca

34 mins: Locatelli beats Van der Sar after a Knight deflection

47mins: A stunning volley by Inamoto beats Pagliuca

50 mins: Inamoto completes his hat-trick

His hat-trick was complete by the 50th minute as a stunning volley and a scrappier third goal capped a potent solo display.

The World Cup star put the Cottagers into the lead early on in the contest.

Steve Finnan cleared the ball upfield to the Japanese international who played an excellent ball through to Sava.

Photo Gallery: See the action in pictures

Sava laid it back to Inamoto who drilled the ball past Pagliuca into the bottom left-hand corner of the Bologna goal.

Steve Marlet came close to extending the lead after 20 minutes but his header was kept out by Pagliuca.

To play in the Uefa Cup for the first time in the club's history is fantastic and I am very happy

Fulham boss Jean Tigana

And Inamoto nearly sealed his second of the night minutes later but hit the side netting with the only other opportunity of the half.

The former Gunner's evening was not unblemished, though, as he paved the way for a Bologna equaliser in the 34th minute.

He failed to cut off a pass to Tomas Locatelli, who drove the ball past Edwin van der Sar courtesy of a Zac Knight deflection.

Bologna came close to taking the lead five minutes from the interval when Carlo Nervo came down in the penalty box.

But Swiss referee Massimo Busacca turned down the Italians' penalty pleas, instead handing Nervo a yellow card for diving.

Locatelli scored Bologna's only goal

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, Inamoto putting his side into an early lead.

This time it took just 75 seconds, as he pounced on some sloppy defence to put the home side back in front.

The opportunity arose after the ball was barely cleared by the opposition defence and he cut in to unleash a sensational volley past Pagliuca from the edge of the area.

His European hat-trick was complete three minutes later as Bologna's back four once again wilted.

Latching on to a Marlet cross, he struck only to see his shot ricochet back but made no mistake at the second attempt.

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Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Brevett, Knight, Goma, Inamoto, Marlet, Legwinski, Sava, Davis, Boa Morte.
Subs: Taylor, Collins, Melville, Hayles, Malbranque, Ouaddou, Saha.

Booked: Legwinski, Finnan.

Bologna: Pagliuca, Zaccardo, Olive, Castellini, Nervo, Colucci, Cruz, Signori, Falcone, Locatelli, Paramatti.
Subs: Coppola, Gamberini, Bellucci, Smit, Goretti, Frara, Meghni.

Booked: Olive, Nervo, Colucci.

Attendance: 14,756

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).