Wolves were left to regret their lack of focus as Fulham capitalized on lapses at the start of each half to secure a crucial victory. Ryan Sessegnon struck in the opening minute, while Rodrigo Muniz found the net shortly after the break, boosting Fulham’s European hopes. Meanwhile, Wolves missed an opportunity to pull further clear of the relegation zone, despite a dominant attacking display that saw them take 18 shots, only five of which were on target. João Gomes managed a consolation goal, but it was not enough to prevent a frustrating defeat.
In response to a disappointing home loss to Crystal Palace, Fulham made five changes, including handing Sessegnon his first Premier League start in over two years. Any concerns about rustiness were quickly dispelled when he slotted home in the first minute. Muniz held up play well before linking up with Andreas Pereira, who played a perfect pass for Sessegnon to finish into the far corner.
Wolves had started the game on the back foot but soon grew into the contest. Matheus Cunha, a key attacking presence, caused problems for Fulham’s defense, drawing fouls from Issa Diop. The home side applied sustained pressure, with André and Gomes both squandering chances. Their persistence was rewarded in the 19th minute when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde delivered a cross that deflected into the path of Gomes, who finished emphatically from close range.
As Fulham struggled to find cohesion due to their squad rotation, Wolves looked like the stronger team, with Cunha at the heart of their attacking moves. He forced Bernd Leno into a smart save, while also frustrating the referee with his persistent duels against Diop, who was fortunate to avoid a booking.
However, Wolves’ tendency to start halves sluggishly proved costly again. Just over a minute into the second period, Fulham reclaimed the lead. Adama Traoré played a well-weighted ball in behind the Wolves defense, and Muniz timed his run perfectly before delicately lifting the ball over José Sá. The home side, who had been in control for much of the game, were left frustrated as another defensive lapse proved their undoing.
Wolves dominated possession from that point, probing for an equalizer. Cunha remained their most dangerous player, firing a shot wide and winning a free-kick just outside the box. Bellegarde’s effort from the set-piece, however, was comfortably gathered by Leno. Despite Wolves’ attempts to build pressure, Fulham’s disciplined backline held firm, forcing the hosts to rely on wide deliveries. Without a consistent aerial threat, their crosses were easily dealt with until substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen entered the fray.
As time wore on, Fulham introduced fresh legs to see out the game, while Wolves struggled to break through. The result felt like a missed opportunity, especially considering their upcoming fixtures, which include home games against Everton and West Ham, as well as trips to relegation-threatened Southampton and Ipswich. Wolves still have a chance to put things right, but this defeat has only increased the pressure on them.
