Fulham 1 – 1 Wolves

Fulham once again have Manor Solomon to thank as Wolves are tied again in spirit Football Friday meeting that ended in a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

Half-time substitute Solomon, who scored the winner in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Brighton and was also on target in Fulham’s 2-0 success against Nottingham Forest earlier this month, cut in from the left and unleashed a stunning strike into the far post. corner just after the hour mark to extend their current unbeaten league run to four matches.

Wolves deservedly took the lead at the break through Pablo Sarabia’s (23) first goal since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, but neither side could convert one point into three as Jose Sa’s fine save kept out Carlos Vinicius’ header in stoppage time.

The result means Fulham remain in sixth place ahead of the weekend’s Premier League clash, with Wolves still in 15th place, four points above the relegation zone.

“Our first half was not at the level it should have been,” said Marco Silva afterwards. “We let them start the game easily, without pressure. They were comfortable and, if you let them, it was more difficult to win. We never got ahead.

“We spoke at half time, we changed two players but we changed a lot of things and we are a very different team. We are more aggressive and stronger in our duels. Our dynamic is very different in the second half.

“Manor scored a big goal and we had a chance from Vinicius who saved Sa, but I think a draw is a fair result.”

Solomon’s wisdom saved Fulham

Victory would give Fulham 41 points, the highest tally of a promoted side after 25 games in a 38-match Premier League season. Indeed, only Manchester United have taken more points than Fulham’s 20 since the Premier League resumed after the World Cup.

The new and improved Riverside Stand increases in attendance each week that passes. When the trees in the neighboring Bishop’s Park are in full bloom, residents may be dreaming of a European tour – but it comes second best to the opening.

Sarabia had issued a warning sign when he held Nelson Semedo back in the 20th minute, but the January signing’s shot was unconvincing as it was easily collected by Bernd Leno.

Wolves have been without a passport stamp since their Europa League quarter-final exit at the hands of Sevilla in August 2020, but they have had a very different battle this season. Sarabia gave hope of survival in the arm just three minutes later to break the deadlock.

The 30-year-old Spaniard, signed for just £4.4m from PSG, started and completed the move when he fed Matheus Nunes on the left before running into the Fulham box. Nunes’ center was rounded by Raul Jimenez for Sarabia to steady himself and fire a low shot through the legs of Tim Ream and into the bottom corner just out of Leno’s reach.

By Silva’s own admission, his side weren’t at their best to beat Brighton last weekend, but Fulham go into this game with three clean sheets which has fueled their hopes of European qualification for the first time since 2009/10.

Having won only two of the nine matches when conceding for the first time this season – a 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest and the same score at Leeds – it was not until the closing stages of the opening period that Sa was forced into action, saving Vinicius’ header. from the Bobby Decordova-Reid cross. Ruben Neves was off target when presented with a similar opportunity moments later.

Silva made a second change at the interval as Solomon and Sasa Lukic were called on to replace Decordova-Reid and Harrison Reed, who had picked up an ankle injury since the opening exchange. But it was Wolves who continued to dominate, as Max Kilman’s header flew before Jimenez glanced Sarabia’s cross wide.

It was a fiery affair as both Wolves players went down in quick succession, with Fulham feeling that their opponents were at fault for wasting time. Matheus Cunha stayed down after a challenge from Antonee Robinson, and the hosts were in the lead just four minutes later.

There was very little appearance when Solomon collected the ball from Robinson, but it was shown inside by Semedo, Israel needed no other invitation to roll the best 20 meter shot beyond Sa.

Fulham enjoyed a turnaround as Wolves hit back, and if not for Sa’s sprawling save to deny Vinicius from Kenny Tete’s cross in stoppage time, it would have been another smash-and-grab for Silva’s side.

Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui said: “I don’t know if the result is fair or not, but we have to be positive. Fulham are a very difficult team. We scored from the only clear chance in the first half and we could have scored early in the second. .The match was more even after Cunha’s injury which changed the match.

“We need a lot of points to stay out of the relegation zone – it’s a tough task, but we have more points today.”

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher added: “Fulham will be more than happy with a point considering how good Wolves were in the first half. But as soon as Fulham scored, it was a different game as Wolves couldn’t get the momentum back.

“When the game was over, you thought Fulham would get the winning goal. I was very impressed with Wolves in the first half but Fulham put up a fight in the second half – credit to the players and the manager.”

Is Solomon ready to impact the game from the start?

Ben Grounds Sky Sports at Craven Cottage:

Fulham’s frustration in the first half was compounded by Joao Palhinha becoming the first player to pick up 10 yellow cards in the Premier League this season. As important as it is for this team, Fulham could be serving a two-game suspension in the near future.

But the Silvas refused to allow the night to stop them from returning. Here, they avoided defeat after getting the opening goal in their second home Premier League game in their last 22 games, having also secured a draw against Bournemouth in October this season.

Just before the hour mark, Cunha was carried off on a stretcher after a harmless challenge. Cunha was replaced by Adama Traore after a long stop in the game while receiving treatment.

The incident brought life to life. So far, Wolves have been in control of the proceedings and could have extended their lead if Jimenez found the inside of the post as he rose unmarked.

That’s when half-time substitute Solomon again showed his quality, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and curling it into the far corner.

After the disappointment of suffering a serious knee injury in the first game of the Premier League season against Liverpool, Solomon made up for lost time. The question now is whether Silva still sees himself as a specialist finisher in the game or whether he is ready to contribute from the dead.

Player of the match – Manor Solomon

Silva added on Solomon’s display: “He has performed well from the bench and showed the quality he has. He helps the team. It is clear that he is not ready for 90 minutes but he is ready to help the team.

“Week in, week out in the Premier League, it’s difficult to play every game. But I like him. He’s scored some important goals for us and more importantly for him, it’s given him confidence. He’s very strong in one. -v-one circumstances.

“He is different and is a player this time that shows he can score goals. I think he is ready to start, but he is not ready for 90 minutes. He can start the game and maybe play 60 minutes. Soon, he will play. start from the beginning. He is a top professional, like the others.

“Manor works hard and fights for his position. I know he wants to start football matches, but it’s the same with Harry. [Wilson]Bobby [De Cordova-Reid] and others. It’s good to have healthy competition.

“We have to deal with the rotation and the game. I like to have a wide selection.”

Wolves add on Lopetegui – Opta stats

• Fulham’s tally of 39 points from the first 25 games of this Premier League season is their second-best result at this stage of a top-flight campaign, bettered only by their 40 points in 1959-60 (assuming 3 points/win).
• Wolves have taken 14 points from nine Premier League games under Julen Lopetegui (W4 D2 L3), 10 more than they did in their previous nine league games (W1 D1 L7).
• Wolves have lost just one of their last six Premier League games (W2 D3), after losing eight of their previous 10 (D2).
• Fulham winger Willian made his 200th Premier League start, the fifth Brazilian to achieve the mark after Fernandinho (224), Roberto Firmino (209), Ederson (206) and David Luiz (200).

What’s next?

Fulham now turn their attention to the FA Cup, with home games Leeds on Tuesday; kick-off 7.45pm. Marco Silva’s team then took on their west London rivals Brentford in the Premier League on March 6, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.

wolf now travel to Anfield to pick it up Liverpool for the fourth time this year; kick-off 8pm. Julen Lopetegui’s side then host Tottenham Friday, March 4; kick-off at 3pm.