Fulham and Wolves wrapped up Premier League Week 13 in style as Willian scored twice in a 3-2 Cottagers win at Craven Cottage on Monday that saw three penalties to go with two very decent goals from the run of play
The Cottagers led thrice, first through Alex Iwobi, then when Willian’s penalty made it 2-1 in the second half, and finally when VAR helped Willian back to the spot in stoppage time.
Matheus Cunha and Hee-chan Hwang delivered goals to nearly get Wolves a point away from home.
WATCH FULHAM v WOLVES FULL MATCH REPLAY
Marco Silva’s Fulham end a four-match winless run, and scoring thrice will bring plenty of relief to a team that entered the day near the bottom of the Premier League in goals.
Gary O’Neil’s Wolves remain on 15 points, and Marco Silva’s Fulham joins them with that total. Wolves sit 12th due to superior goal differential, while Fulham is 14th on the Premier League table.
USMNT players at heart of everything
The ‘Fulhamerica’ connection continues to keep United States men’s national team players in the frame at Craven Cottage, and boy were left back Antonee Robinson and center back Tim Ream involved in this one.
Robinson assisted Fulham’s first goal, was beaten by Nelson Semedo in the run-up to Wolves’ equalizer, and then brought the danger that led to the Cottagers’ second penalty.
Ream gave away Wolves’ penalty and that’s no highlight, but he paired with Calvin Bassey to control the game from the back. Ream passed at 95% as he combined with Bassey to register nearly 200 touches.
What’s next?
It doesn’t get easier for Wolves, who visit Arsenal when the Premier League returns at 7:30am ET Saturday, and Fulham won’t like its slate. The Cottagers go to Liverpool at 9am ET Sunday.
Fulham vs Wolves final score: 3-2
Goal: Iwobi (8'), Cunha (22'), Willian (pen 59'), Hwang (pen 75', pen 90'+4)
Fulham vs Wolves player ratings
Fulham vs Wolves player ratings (fotmob.com)
Fulham vs Wolves player ratings (fotmob.com)
How to watch Fulham vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Monday (November 27)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Fulham vs Wolves live updates — by Nick Mendola
Fulham penalty goal: Willian, again!
Joao Gomes’ dangled leg took down Harry Wilson, who didn’t need an invitation to hit the deck.
It takes another VAR review to send Fulham to the spot, and Willian buried his second to complete a brace and lift Fulham toward a win.
Wolves penalty goal: Hee-chan Hwang
There’s no question about this foul, but was it in the box?
Tim Ream’s taken down Hee-chan Hwang, but is the foul inside the box and was Hwang onside? Yes to both counts.
Hwang will take the pen, and he belts it past Bernd Leno. 2-2.
Fulham penalty goal: Cairney won, Willian converted
At first blush it’s a no brainer, but replays are begging the question of whether Tom Cairney’s unfairly won a penalty.
Cairney is in the Wolves box and shows quick feet to get by a lunging Mario Lemina, and Lemina’s foot appears to catch Cairney’s foot on the way by.
But the video is showing a potential dive, which would’ve been very cleverly won. There’s not enough to overturn it, and Willian is going to the spot.
Fulham vs Wolves halftime analysis: 1-1
The Cottagers haven’t been beyond reproach but this is for sure one of their top performances this season.
Leaving the back post open on Cunha’s goal was a mistake and Bernd Leno dodged calamity with a bad dribbling decision, but Fulham’s goal was classy and the hosts are out-attempting Wolves 6-2.
Fulham’s also had 56% of the ball and is winning xG by 1.00-0.26. Turning this performance into a win would be a welcome development for Marco Silva, whose men have just one point claimed from the last 12 available in Premier League play.
Wolves will want to convert on the danger they’ve produced but also keep the ball more and take some chances. Boubacar Traore can help with the former, and there are a number of options to help with the latter.
Matheus Cunha goal!
Antonee Robinson is on the other end of good wing play here, cooked twice by Nelson Semedo as Wolves work up the right.
Semedo chips a cross over the fray and Matheus Cunha is on the edge of the six to turn a header inside the near post.
We’re level at Craven Cottage.
Alex Iwobi goal! Robinson cues up early Fulham goal
This is good stuff, and no less than Fulham deserve early at Craven Cottage.
USMNT man Antonee Robinson is sprung down the left side, and he drives into the box to deliver a left-footed ball into the mix.
Alex Iwobi is the man to finish, and it’s a deft touch from the former Arsenal and Everton man. 1-0 to Marco Silva’s Cottagers.
Fulham lineup
Your Monday Night Fulham. 📋#FULWOL pic.twitter.com/1FtS6I8zex
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) November 27, 2023
Wolves lineup
☝️ One change from #WOLTOT
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 27, 2023
🇺🇾 Santiago Bueno makes his @premierleague debut
How we line-up to take on @FulhamFC.
🐺📋 @AstroPay_OK pic.twitter.com/hckASxgrZP
Focus on Fulham, team news
Fulham have to score more if they’re going to be well above the relegation scrap this season. Defensively they’ve made some big errors in recent games but they are so close to being a team that can challenge to finish in the top 10 once again. In injury news, Rodrigo Muniz, Adama Traore and Issa Diop remain out, while Joao Palhinha is suspended which is a big blow. Tosin Adarabioyo is close to a return from his hip injury.
Focus on Wolves, team news
Gary O’Neil will be hoping Wolves can build on that big win against Spurs before the break and they have a very winnable run of games coming up with Burnley, Nottingham Forest and West Ham among their next four. In injury news, Joe Hodge, Pedro Neto and Craig Dawson are all out, while Nelson Semedo is battling to be fit.
