Fulham scored within 65 seconds of the start of each half en route to a 2-1 victory away to Wolves on Tuesday, to move up one place to 9th and strengthen their hold on a place in the top half of the Premier League table.
WATCH – Wolves v Fulham full match replay
The Cottagers (42 points) wasted no time whatsoever before they opened the scoring, as the clock read 0:59 when the ball hit the back of the net off Ryan Sessegnon’s foot. Andreas Pereira slide-touched a through ball to Sessegnon in behind Wolves’ defense and he was off to the races before beating Jose Sa just inside his far post. Wolves (17th - 22 points) were quick to go on the offensive, though, as they attempted the next seven shots, culminating in Joao Gomes’s equalizer in the 18th minute.
The second half started much like the first, only Fulham needed five additional seconds to score after the break. Adama Traore had ages of time and acres of space to receive the ball and pick his pass in behind — a perfectly weighted through ball to Rodrigo Muniz — and the Brazilian lifted the ball over Sa and began his casual stroll to the corner flag before the ball even reached the six-yard box. Cool (and simple) as you like.
Any other season, Wolves would be in big trouble
It has been quite clear since September or October that the three newly promoted teams were in a for a long, long season and that any one of them would require a minor miracle to avoid relegation this season. Fast-forward to the end of February and there they are — at least five points and 11 goals worse than any other side in the league — with only Wolves still there to be caught. Ipswich (18th - 17 points) and Leicester (19th - 17 points) are (somehow) still within two wins of overtaking Vitor Pereira’s side, but the Tractor Boys and Foxes have just two wins between them since the middle of December. It’s hard to remember a PL side that was as bad as Wolves, but who also had a player as good as Matheus Cunha in the side. Perhaps we will get the answer to “what if they didn’t have him” next season.
Player ratings - Wolves vs Fulham
What’s next?
- Bournemouth vs Wolves — Saturday, 10 am ET (FA Cup)
- Manchester United vs Fulham — Sunday, 11:30 am ET (FA Cup)
- Brighton vs Fulham — Saturday, March 8, 10 am ET (next PL fixture)
- Wolves vs Everton — Saturday, March 8, 3 pm ET (next PL fixture)
Wolves vs Fulham live updates - by Andy Edwards
Wolves vs Fulham final score: 1-2
Goalscorers: Ryan Sessegnon (1'), Joao Gomes (18'), Rodrigo Muniz (47')
GOAL! Wolves 1-2 Fulham: Muniz dinks it over Sa after Traore plays him in (47')
GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Fulham: Gomes smashes home an un-cleared cross (18')
GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Fulham: Sessegnon gets in behind and finishes far post (1')
Wolves starting lineup
Sa - Doherty, Bueno, T. Gomes - Semedo, J. Gomes, Andre, Ait-Nouri - Bellegarde, Muntesi, Cunha
Fulham starting lineup
Leno - Andersen, Diop, Cuenca - Castagne, Berge, Lukic, Sessegnon - Traore, Pereira, Muniz
How to watch Wolves vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Tuesday (February 25)
Venue: Molineux — Wolverhampton
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Vitor Pereira’s side won 1-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday to move them five points clear of the relegation zone after two wins in their last three games. Matheus Cunha was again the hero as Wolves’ talented attackers continue to make the difference and they look much more solid defensively despite injuries stacking up.
Fulham had an off-day at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Marco Silva’s side lost 2-0 but it could have been more and the Cottagers huffed and puffed in attack but never really got going. Still, they’re in the European hunt.
Wolves team news, focus
Strand Larsen could start after coming off the bench. Wolves missed plenty of chances at Bournemouth on Saturday so will hope he can finish off a few of those in the coming weeks. Zimbabwean Marshall Munetsi may get another chance, as the midfielder popped up in dangerous areas in attack at Bournemouth but couldn’t find the finishing touch.
OUT: Hee-chan Hwang (thigh), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Enso Medina (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Leon Chiwone (knee - out for season), Rodrigo Gomes (undisclosed), Emmanuel Agbadou (undisclosed)
Fulham team news, focus
The Cottagers may mix things up in attack with Muniz, Pereira and Willian potentially starting. Silva wasn’t pleased at all with the performance at the weekend and given Fulham’s high standards this season, that is understandable. Expect them to push high.
OUT: Harry Wilson (foot), Kenny Tete (knee), Reiss Nelson (hamstring), Tom Cairney (knock)
Wolves vs Fulham prediction
This feels like a very evenly-matched game. Wolves will be full of confidence but we will see a reaction from Fulham. This has a drawn written all over it. Wolves 1-1 Fulham.
