Fulham 3 Wolves 2
Fulham welcomed Wolves to Craven Cottage with Marco Silva’s side far too close to the bottom three for the manager’s liking. With a tough trip to Liverpool looming for The Cottagers, Silva knew the importance of this game.
Robinson and Willian combined well down the left flank for the full back to get a dangerous ball into the box which Iwobi slotted home with ease. It was the perfect start for Silva’s side as they showed their attacking intent from the outset.
Wolves knew they needed to find a way back into the game immediately and Hwang almost provided the equaliser until he saw his long range effort thunder off the top of the crossbar. It was a warning to Fulham that the visitors had no intention of crumbling despite the early goal.
Bellegarde twisted and turned out wide and clipped a cross to the back post which was headed home by Cunha. The Brazilian silenced Craven Cottage with the exception of the away end who had made the long trip to the capital.
Credit: @FulhamFC
Aside from Fulham’s early goal, Gary O’Neil will have been pleased with the way his side reacted. Making their chances count had proven costly for the visitors so far this season and the manager would have known that they had their work cut out against Marco Silva’s team.
As The Cottagers looked to unlock the visitor’s defence after the break, Cairney went to ground and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. A VAR review was not going to come to the aid of Wolves and Willian made them pay.
The veteran winger sat the keeper down before sending it into the opposite corner. In moments like this a calm head is needed and this is where the Brazilian is worth his weight in gold to the West London outfit.
Things were to be evened out however when Ream wiped out Hwang in the box and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty to the visitors. Wolves felt that the defender should have been shown a second yellow card and given his marching orders.
While the referee disagreed, Hwang drilled the ball down the centre of the goal to draw the sides level. With fifteen minutes plus added time remaining, O’Neil’s side would have felt that this game was still there for the taking.
Fulham continued to press and an innocuous challenge in the box saw Wilson go to ground. The referee waved away the hosts’ protests but after a VAR review, he was told to head over to the monitor. It was hearts in mouths time for the visitors.
Credit: @FulhamFC
Michael Salisbury changed his mind and awarded Silva’s side an injury time spot kick. Cometh the moment, cometh the man. Willian stepped up and buried the ball into the bottom corner to surely win the game for The Cottagers.
Gary O’Neil was again left feeling his side had been let down by the officials and VAR and immediately stormed into the referee’s dressing room after the game, demanding answers. For Fulham, it was a vital three points that moved them away from the drop zone.
Wolves travelled back to the Midlands with a bitter taste left in their mouths. With some big fixtures coming up, O’Neil will need to pick his players up and try to put the feeling of being hard done by, yet again, behind them.
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