Manor Solomon rescued a 1-1 draw for high-flying Fulham as Wolves missed the chance to bolster their bid to beat the drop at Craven Cottage.
The visitors moved the ball swiftly throughout an impressive first-half showing and deservedly went ahead on 23 minutes.
A flowing move from back to front ended with Raul Jimenez nodding down for Pablo Sarabia to sweep his first Premier League goal for Wolves into the far corner.
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Fulham struggled to carve out openings and seemed to lack a focal point in the absence of injured hitman, Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The pattern continued at the start of the second period with Jimenez flashing a header just wide for the away side.
Marco Silva’s men slowly offered a greater threat but needed a moment of individual brilliance from substitute Solomon to pull level when he curled home his third goal in as many matches on 64 minutes.
Wolves were left to hang on late in the battle but will feel they again blew a significant opportunity to pick up the full complement of points that their overall performance probably warranted.
The result sees Julen Lopetegui’s men stay in 15th place, four points clear of the drop zone having played a game more than all of their rivals.
Fulham stay sixth but miss the chance to move to within a point of fourth-placed Tottenham.
The Cottagers now switch their focus to the FA Cup and a fifth-round clash at home to Leeds United on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Wolves visit Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Talking point
Silva works his magic again as Wolves are left frustrated. Ahead of the match, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher hailed Silva as a potential manager of the year candidate. It’s a valid shout and there’s no doubt the Fulham coach has worked wonders this term, with his tactical tweaks and substitutions paying real dividends here.
The Cottagers couldn’t quite snatch a late winner to earn the honour of clocking up 41 points that would have been the highest-ever tally for a promoted team after 25 games of a 38-match Premier League campaign. But they did avoid defeat when they were far from their best and the push to finish in the European places is a dream for the supporters that remains very much alive.
As for Wolves, they now look like a team more than capable of putting the tangible fears of relegation, prior to Julen Lopetegui’s appointment, behind them.
The Spaniard has galvanised the side with four wins and two draws in his first nine league matches in charge, and although he will be disappointed they didn’t build on their hour of dominance, he and the club’s supporters will have the belief they are heading in the right direction.
Player of the match
Nelson Semedo (Wolves). The full back was a real source of danger on the attack, particularly in the first half. Defended well throughout and was unlucky not to notch up an assist.
Player Ratings
WOLVES: Sa 7, Semedo 8, Dawson 7, Kilman 7, Bueno 8, Neves 7, Nunes 7, Lemina 7, Sarabia 7, Cunha 7, Jimenez 7. Subs: Traore 6, Moutinho 6, Podence 6, Diego Costa n/a.
Pablo Sarabia of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates with teammate Raul Jimenez after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage
Image credit: Getty Images
Match Highlights
21’ – WOLVES CHANCE! Semedo motors down the right, exchanges a slick one-two with Jimenez and then cuts it back for Sarabia who should score but fires straight at Leno.
23’ – GOAL! – Fulham 0-1 Wolves. This time Sarabia makes it count as he fires Jimenez’s clever nod down from Cunha’s cross into the bottom corner.
52’ – WOLVES CHANCE! Jimenez darts in-behind the two centre backs to flash a header just wide from Sarabia’s devilish cross from the right.
64’ – GOAL! – Fulham 1-1 Wolves. Soloman weaves in from the left and curls a quite magnificent arcing shot into the far corner from 20 yards out.
90+4’ – FULHAM CHANCE! Vinicius leaps highest to guide Tete’s cross towards the far corner but Sa springs to his right to palm the ball to safety.
Key Stats
Fulham have won just one of their last 14 matches with Wolves.
Manor Solomon is the first Israeli player to score in three consecutive Premier League matches since Ronnie Rosenthal in 1992.
Fulham have picked up 20 points in the Premier League since the World Cup in December, with only Manchester United accruing more in that time (23).
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