Fulham's 2-1 Premier League win against Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home at Molineux helped them get their European hopes back on track after losing 2-0 against Crystal Palace last Saturday.
Wolves' defence was breached in the opening minute when Andreas Pereira slipped a pass through their high line to Ryan Sessegnon, who raced through to Jose Sa before placing his effort into the bottom-right corner.
However, Wolves fought back to restore parity through Joao Gomes, who crashed the box to volley home after teammate Nelson Semedo mistimed a shot following Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's excellent cross.
The Cottagers again took the lead in the opening stages of the second half after former Wolves player Adama Traore threaded a pass through to Rodrigo Muniz before the striker chipped a helpless Sa.
Muniz's goal proved to be enough for victory, and the result means Fulham end the night in ninth place with 42 points, just four fewer than fourth-placed Chelsea.
As for Wolves, they stay in 17th place and still boast a five-point advantage on 18th-placed Ipswich Town, but they have played an additional game.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Wolves had kept three clean sheets in their four games prior to Tuesday's match against Fulham, and so to concede so quickly in either half will have concerned boss Vitor Pereira.
Ipswich Town are set to play Manchester United on Wednesday, and given the poor form of the Red Devils, it would not be surprising if Wolves' five-point advantage over Ipswich was reduced to two.
As for Fulham, they have now won four of their last five in all competitions, and boss Marco Silva must be seen as a candidate for manager of the year if he secures European football for the Cottagers.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. FULHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Ryan Sessegnon goal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (1st min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Fulham)
Ryan Sessegnon puts Fulham into the lead in the first minute against Wolves! ⚡️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Ofw3fULoaB
Muniz receives the ball on the halfway line and brilliantly holds play up before passing to Pereira, who slips a ball behind Wolves' defence to Sessegnon, and he slots it into the bottom-right corner.
A goal in the opening minute!
Joao Gomes goal vs. Fulham (19th min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Fulham)
A thunderous finish from João Gomes! 🚀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
Wolves go level against Fulham!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9JXQfZd5he
Rayan Ait Nouri manages to slip a pass down the left flank to Bellegarde, and the attacker fires in a ferocious cross to Semedo in the centre of the box, but while the defender fails to make good contact with the ball, possession lands to Gomes and the midfielder volleys an effort past Bernd Leno from close range.
What a strike!
Rodrigo Muniz goal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (47th min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Fulham)
That's a beautiful finish from Rodrigo Muniz 😍
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/6kYIv58nVI
Traore picks up the ball in just in front of the halfway line on the left of the pitch, and the winger threads a pass from a central position through to Muniz, who delicately chips an onrushing Sa from the edge of the box to restore Fulham's lead.
An outstanding finish!
MAN OF THE MATCH - RODRIGO MUNIZ
© Imago
Muniz played a vital role for Fulham in the buildup to their first goal, laying off a pass to Pereira before he played Sessegnon through.
The striker also excellently scored his side's second of the match, and he was pivotal for the victors without the ball, winning nine of his 13 ground duels.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. FULHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Wolverhampton Wanderers 60%-40% Fulham
Shots: Wolverhampton Wanderers 18-11 Fulham
Shots on target: Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-5 Fulham
Corners: Wolverhampton Wanderers 7-4 Fulham
Fouls: Wolverhampton Wanderers 8-16 Fulham
BEST STATS
Ryan Sessegnon has scored his first goal in any competition since October 2022 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
A long time coming 🙏 pic.twitter.com/xrsaaDR89R
Ryan Sessegnon's last two Premier League goals for Fulham:
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 25, 2025
◉ vs. Wolves (Dec 2018)
◉ vs. Wolves (Feb 2025)
One at home and one away. 😀 https://t.co/hFumo9aj24
WHAT NEXT?
Wolves face a tricky away test against Bournemouth on March 1 and then host high-flying Everton at Molineux on March 8.
Meanwhile, Fulham will hope to advance past Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup on March 2 before battling for three Premier League points against Brighton & Hove Albion on March 8.
Lewis Nolan
