Wolves secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fulham at Molineux on Saturday, with a late winner from Matheus Cunha keeping their European hopes alive. The home side took the lead in the first half through a well-taken goal from Pedro Neto, but Fulham equalised shortly after the break through a penalty from Aleksandar Mitrovic. The game looked set to end in a draw until Cunha struck in the 87th minute, firing a low shot into the bottom corner after a clever pass from Joao Moutinho.
First Half Dominance
Wolves dominated the early exchanges, with Neto and Adama Traore causing problems for the Fulham defence. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Neto cut inside from the left wing and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner, leaving Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno with no chance. Fulham struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the first half, with their best chance coming from a long-range effort by Andreas Pereira that went wide.
Fulham's Response
Fulham came out with renewed energy in the second half and were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute when Wolves defender Max Kilman was judged to have handled the ball in the box. Mitrovic stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, sending the travelling fans into raptures. The goal gave Fulham confidence, and they began to push for a winner, with Harry Wilson and Tom Cairney both going close.
Late Drama
Just as the game seemed to be heading for a draw, Wolves produced a moment of magic. Moutinho, who had been a constant threat from midfield, played a perfectly weighted pass to Cunha, who controlled the ball and fired a low shot past Leno. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the home fans and secured a vital three points for Wolves.
Manager Reactions
Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui praised his team's resilience after the match. "It was a tough game against a very good Fulham side. We showed great character to come back and win it at the end. The players deserve a lot of credit for their performance." Fulham boss Marco Silva was disappointed with the result but acknowledged the quality of the opposition. "We gave everything tonight. It's a shame to lose in such a way, but we have to take the positives and move on."
Implications
The win moves Wolves up to seventh in the Premier League table, keeping them in contention for a European spot. Fulham remain in 12th place, but their recent form has been inconsistent. Both teams will be looking to build on their performances in the coming weeks.
