LIAM BERRY REPORTS ON WOLVES 1-1 DRAW AGAINST FULHAM AT CRAVEN COTTAGE
Wolves are held to a draw at Craven Cottage, after a first goal for Pablo Sarabia was cancelled out in the second half.
Julen Lopetegui made two changes to his side after the loss to Bournemouth last weekend, with Mario Lemina returning from suspension, replacing Joao Moutinho, and Raul Jimenez being brought in for Adama Traore.
Whereas Marco Silva made one change to his side after beating Brighton on the weekend, Carlos Vinicius coming in for Harry Wilson.
Wolves started the game off well, with a total of 70% possession in the opening ten minutes.
Hugo Bueno found himself open down the left flank, forcing Tim Ream to knock it out of play for a Wolves corner.
Good link-up between Jimenez and Nelson Semedo on the right allowed Sarabia to pick up the ball in the box, but his attempt was deflected, which took the steam out of the shot, making it an easy save for Bernd Leno.
But the goal for Sarabia wasn’t too far away.
It came from another good move from Wolves as they worked the ball out to Matheus Nunes, who put a delightful cross into Jimenez, who nodded it down to Sarabia who kept his cool and placed it in the corner, for his first goal for the club.
Later in the first half, Ruben Neves found himself darting into the box, but his header was directed over the bar.
Fulham then tried to hit back with a goal of their own, a nice move between Bobby Decordova-Reid and Kenny Tete which gave the right-back some space to get a shot off, but his attempt was dragged wide.
On the stroke of half-time, Andreas Pereira had a free kick within shooting distance. His attempt was saved by Jose Sa who tipped it over, which led to the halftime whistle.
Wolves went into half-time the dominant side and owning a deserved lead.
Fulham made two changes at the break, bringing Manor Soloman and Sasa Lukic, for Reid and Harrison Reed.
Jimenez had a glorious chance from a cross from Sarabia, but the two couldn’t combine again as clinically as they did earlier on in the game, as his header was directed just wide.
A challenge from Wolves summer target Joao Palhinha left Matheus Cunha on the floor.
He was unable to continue the game and ended up being stretchered off, with Traore replacing him – let’s hope it’s not too serious.
Then, almost out of nowhere, the half-time substitute Soloman struck a sweet shot from outside the box which beat Sa, and drew the hosts level.
From here until the end of the game Fulham looked to be the more likely team to find a winner, although for the most part Wolves defended well.
And when Fulham got through, an extra time chance for Vinicius forced Sa to make a wonderful fingertip save, saving Wolves a point.
Full-time came and Wolves might feel like they could have got more bearing in mind such an impressive first half performance, but it’s still a great point on the road against an in-form team in the top six of the table.
ARTICLE BY LIAM BERRY
I am a life long Wolves fan that is passionate for the club. I am a sixth form student who loves writing about things I love!