Wolverhampton Wanderers managed to atone for their loss to West Ham on Sunday as they picked up a nervy 1-0 win over Fulham.
It took 26 minutes for something to actually happen in this one. Alphonse Areola had to pull off a stunning double save to deny both Pedro Neto and Nélson Semedo, who were looking to grab a goal for Wolves against the run of play. The tide did change somewhat after that chance, but neither side really looked like scoring before the break.
It took Wolves ten minutes of the second half to break the deadlock. Raúl Jiménez missed a simple one-on-one, but as Fulham scrambled to sort themselves out, Neto drove a fierce effort into the bottom corner. Fulham's best chance didn't come until the 72nd minute, when substitute Aboubakar Kamara was given a free shot at Rui Patrício but sent his tame effort right into the goalkeeper's gloves.
The Cottagers improved following the introduction of Ademola Lookman, but they simply could not find a way through before the full-time whistle.
WOLVES
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Rui Patrício (GK) - 6/10 - Was probably busier during lockdown than he was in this one.
Willy Boly (CB) - 6/10 - Had nothing particularly challenging to do but still looked a little uncomfortable at times.
Conor Coady (CB) - 7/10 - Spent most of his time passing the ball around aimlessly as Wolves continuously decided go backwards. Made some outstanding long passes.
Max Kilman (CB) - 6/10 - Looked up for it and didn't shirk the physical battle in either box, but didn't actually do anything as he didn't really have to.
2. Midfielders
Nélson Semedo (RM) - 7/10 - Wolves' most dangerous player going forward. Loved bombing forward and got himself into a few dangerous positions. Unlucky not to score in the Areola double save.
Leander Dendoncker (CM) - 6/10 - Kept things ticking well enough, turning defence into some form of attack, but couldn't really get things going.
Rúben Neves (CM) - 5/10 - Spent too much time sitting deep to get the ball off defenders and was stifled out of the game in the first half. Improved after the break but still wasn't good enough.
Romain Saïss (LM) - 4/10 - Felt a bit weird seeing Saïss as a winger. Looked awkward throughout and his bizarre rotation with Kilman did pretty much nothing.
3. Forwards
Daniel Podence (RW) - 4/10 - Billed as the returning saviour after missing the West Ham game, but he ended up doing next to nothing.
Raúl Jiménez (ST) - 4/10 - You'd be forgiven for forgetting Jiménez was even playing. Made the odd good run but struggled to get into the game.
Pedro Neto (LW) - 8/10 - The only Wolves attacker who actually looked up for this one. Made a few dangerous runs and took his goal with real composure.
4. Substitutes
João Moutinho - 6/10
Ki-Jana Hoever - 6/10
Adama Traoré - N/A
FULHAM
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Alphonse Areola (GK) - 8/10 - His outstanding double save was the moment of the first half. Looked composed and comfortable dealing with aimless crosses.
Ola Aina (RB) - 7/10 - Put in some dangerous crossing going forward but looked very assured at the back. Made a handful of crucial interceptions to try keep his side on top.
Tim Ream (CB) - 7/10 - Did all the defending he needed to but was mainly impressive for his reliable passing. Kept Fulham ticking throughout.
Maxime Le Marchand (CB) - 6/10 - Did his job without any thrills and flair, and when your side have conceded at least three in each of their last three games, that's all you need.
Antonee Robinson (LB) - 8/10 - Looked incredibly dangerous going forward, often switching positions with Bryan to drag Wolves' defence out of place time and time again.
6. Midfielders
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (CM) - 7/10 - A real destructive force at the base of Fulham's midfield. Often got a little too carried away with things but looked to be a real leader.
Tom Cairney (CM) - 6/10 - Kept possession well in midfield and helped Fulham press forward, but offered next to nothing in the final third.
Ivan Cavaleiro (RM) - 4/10 - Lacking confidence and played like it. Didn't want to take on his man so ended up being a wasted body in attack.
Bobby Reid (AM) - 5/10 - Did a lot of running but that's about it. Threatened to cause a few problems without actually doing so.
Joe Bryan (LM) - 6/10 - As a winger, he was pretty rubbish, but it was his rotation with Robinson which gave Fulham their only real bright spark of the game.
7. Forwards
Aleksandar Mitrović (ST) - 5/10 - Did his best to get involved and managed to hit a few speculative shots, but didn't really threaten Patrício at all.
8. Substitutes
Ademola Lookman - 7/10
Aboubakar Kamara - 6/10
Neeskens Kebano - N/A
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Source: 90min
