Fulham 1 Wolves 4 - Report
Wolves came from behind at Fulham to secure back-to-back wins and their first away victory of the season, dragging them out of the relegation zone.
Alex Iwobi curled the hosts ahead with an excellent strike, before Matheus Cunha’s sixth of the campaign levelled for Wolves.
Cunha’s assist for Joao Gomes shortly after half-time put the visitors ahead and Wolves then managed the occasion well to keep Fulham at bay.
Brazilian star Cunha was then assisted by J.Gomes with an effortless curl into the top corner to make it 3-1 and send the away fans into raptures.
Goncalo Guedes added a late fourth to seal the victory.
Analysis
Gary O’Neil made three changes to the side that beat Southampton before the international break, as Wolves suffered from an illness and injury nightmare ahead of kick-off.
Craig Dawson was unwell, while Santi Bueno and Pablo Sarabia missed out with injury, as Andre, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Rodrigo Gomes all came into the side - the latter making his first Premier League start since the first game of the season.
As a result of having just one fit senior centre-back in Toti Gomes, skipper Mario Lemina filled in at the heart of defence.
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was also not included due to illness and a youthful bench included 18-year-old winger Tom Edozie, who made a Premier League squad for the first time.
Fulham were without Sander Berge due to illness, while former Wolves striker Raul Jimenez started and former winger Adama Traore was named on the bench.
The first corner of the game saw a mismatch as R.Gomes marked Jimenez. The Mexican won the header but flicked wide.
Wolves were away when Andre’s fantastic ball released Nelson Semedo, but his low cross for Jorgen Strand Larsen was intercepted by Calvin Bassey.
The hosts began to dominate the game and should have scored in the 18th minute when a low cross was met by Jimenez from five yards, but he somehow managed to smash the post with his effort.
Fulham then deservedly took the lead two minutes later with a chance born from Wolves errors. Rayan Ait-Nouri gave the ball away needlessly in his own half and after a cross was missed by Jimenez, R.Gomes then gave the ball away to allow Iwobi to curl it into the far corner from the edge of the box.
Wolves had improved since going behind but did not look like scoring, until they managed an equaliser from nowhere.
A magnificent long ball from Lemina found Cunha, who took a magical first touch and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
A lack of clear chances saw the teams enter the break drawing 1-1.
A relatively slow start to the second half burst into life in the 53rd minute when Wolves took the lead. A lovely team move saw Bellegarde find Cunha and his delightful reverse pass set up J.Gomes, who shot across goal and found the bottom corner.
Wolves could have had a third when Ait-Nouri was in but he missed the ball completely, as he looked to square for Larsen.
Cunha then stole the ball from a poor Fulham pass and was in, but was tackled in the box as he looked to shoot.
Harry Wilson then took aim and clipped the top of the crossbar.
Wolves were doing a good job of managing the contest and were given a major boost when Fulham, who had used all their subs, saw Joachim Andersen limp off in the 80th minute, leaving the hosts to play on with just 10 men.
Wolves took advantage of that in the 87th minute with a superb curl into the top corner after being found by J.Gomes.
Guedes added a late fourth for Wolves to secure the much-needed win.
Key Moments
GOAL 20 Iwobi curls the ball into the far corner from the edge of the box
GOAL 31 Cunha drags Wolves level with an excellent finish
GOAL 53 J.Gomes slots Wolves into the lead
GOAL 87 Cunha adds Wolves’ third
GOAL 95 Guedes scores a late fourth for Wolves
Teams
Wolves: Sa, Semedo (Pond, 96), Lemina, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Andre, J.Gomes (Doyle, 92), Bellegarde (Doherty, 85), Cunha (Guedes, 92), R.Gomes (Hwang, 92), Larsen.
Subs not used: Bentley, Cundle, Edozie, Forbs.
Fulham: Leno, Tete (Castagne, 71), Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic, Pereira (Wilson, 59), Iwobi, Smith Rowe (Cairney, 59), Nelson (Traore, 71), Jimenez (Muniz, 71).
Subs not used: Benda, Diop, King, Sessegnon.
