ALL ADS UP

Supersub Traore stars as Cottagers revive Euro hopes

- BY GRAHAM THOMAS

ADAMA TRAORE is the impact option tiring defenders hate to see.

The Fulham flier rarely starts but like Mastermind presenters he usually finishes even when time threatens to interrupt.

When Traore came off the bench - barrel-chested and biceps bulging - Southampton were 1-0 ahead, but he denied them their first league victory since November and revived his own club's European hopes.

It can be no coincidence that Fulham have scored three stoppage-time winners this season - joint-most in the Premier League alongside Brighton - while Traore has been sent on 16 times along with his 16 starts. The Spaniard said: “I'm happy to set up the winning goal.

“But I have to keep working, keep helping the team when they need me.”

In his two seasons at Fulham, Traore has started only 17 times, but he has added his pace and muscle in 32 games as a substitute.