Wolves Fans' Verdict v Fulham: A remarkable away win

Clive Smith

We don't get many away days like that. I enjoyed it to the full, even if it meant a sore throat. Feel free to get carried away. 

The teamsheet gave no hint of what was to come, and even at half-time most of us would have taken a point. Lemina was picked to be the 'new' Coady although, more bravely, in a back four rather than five. He rewarded us with a trademark diagonal ball to Cunha which saw the striker score a sumptuous goal with a classy finish.

That was our equaliser following an opening goal that had looked very avoidable. Ait-Nouri, Rodrigo and Andre might all have done better.

We were content to let Fulham have possession but we constantly protected our goal well, allowing the woodwork to intervene once to prevent our ex-goalscorer from scoring, but otherwise we did well.

Sometimes our passing can be nervy, wasteful and even tedious but when it comes off... it can be a joy to watch. The lead up to our second goal was like that. Cunha harshly got the assist but those present know that the constant chanting, from the away end that had begun from the start of the half, must surely have made the telling contribution. It is good seeing Gomes nearer the opposition goal and scoring.

Only then at 2-1 did the thought of us winning actually seem a possibility, but with over 30 minutes to go there was still plenty of work to do. But we did it. Fulham rotated their team extensively, chasing an equaliser, while GON stuck with our starters. That was somewhat surprising because Bellegarde, Larsen and Andre looked to be running on empty. Not until the 87th minute did we make a change, scoring our third almost immediately before the not so tired Larsen assisted with our fourth.

A quite remarkable result, considering.

Obviously, most welcome, and a good celebration at the end was richly deserved. What a contrast to Brentford away, just half a dozen games ago.

It was hardly the ideal starting line-up but the sum of all the parts stood up to the challenge. The work rate was impressive from start to finish. Andre and Gomes provided a combative edge in midfield while MOTM Cunha put the icing on the cake when it was needed in the final third.

John Lalley

Saw the team-sheet, feared the worst. Trepidation justified in the opening exchanges. 

Raul, clearly still coursing gold and black in his veins, benevolently misses a sitter. Iwobi converts an attack that we had ample opportunity to stop at source. 

More indeterminate defending which has been a depressingly familiar caricature of the season so far. Amidst the disorganisation, it’s all too easy to forget the level of talent at our disposal simply because of the blandness we have endured trying to salvage an indifferent and listless campaign. 

Then, hey presto, for reasons bordering on the inexplicable, we stir ourselves from our slumbers and proceed to dismantle a highly competent outfit on their own patch with a swagger and a flourish not seen in months. And of course, Cunha with two supreme finishes further enhanced his deservedly burgeoning reputation. 

Just as significant was O’Neil’s post-match comment that the Brazilian had turned in his best performance off the ball all season. His one weakness has been his spasmodic loss of possession in midfield thereby inviting pressure and his failure to offer any contribution to the team from a defensive perspective.