Wolves 1 Fulham 0 - Report and pictures

Both sides, seemingly low on confidence, started slowly and often battled for the ball in midfield with little goalmouth action.

A superb double-save from Alphonse Areola denied what should have been a first Wolves goal for right-wing-back Nelson Semedo.

Aside from that, the hosts struggled to break down a resilient Fulham defence in a goalless first half.

In the second period Wolves came out firing and should have been ahead when Raul Jimenez was sent clean through on goal, but his effort was again saved.

A minute later, however, Pedro Neto arrived with his first goal of the season when he fired home from the edge of the box after a spell of Wolves pressure.

Substitute Aboubakar Kamara should have scored when he was awarded a free shot on goal, but his poor effort was easily saved.

In what was a battling afternoon throughout, Wolves managed the game well and hung on to their lead for the three points.

Nuno Espirito Santo made three changes to the side that lost 4-0 to West Ham last week, starting in a 3-4-3 formation.

Max Kilman came in at left-sided centre-back for his first game of the season with Fernando Marcal still struggling with a calf injury and Ruben Vinagre not selected following reports that he is close to securing a move to Greek side Olympiacos. Romain Saiss moved to fill in at left-wing-back

Leander Dendoncker replaced Joao Moutinho in midfield, while Daniel Podence returned from injury, meaning Adama Traore took his place on the bench.

Jimenez, fresh from signing a new four-year deal at Wolves, began up front.

Scott Parker also made three changes following their 3-0 loss to Aston Villa in their last Premier League outing, starting in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Ola Aina, Maxime Le Marchand and Antonee Robinson all came into the side as Denis Odoi and Michael Hector dropped to the bench. Kenny Tete, who started against Villa, was not involved in the squad for the clash with Wolves.

Former Wolves winger Ivan Cavaleiro started for the Cottagers after being rested for the club’s 3-0 mid-week loss to Brentford in the Carabao Cup.

The first chance of the game came for the hosts within five minutes when a deep Saiss cross found Dendoncker but the midfielder, who was stretching for the ball, chose to head back across goal looking for Jimenez, but the ball was cut out.

Shortly after, Robinson was found on the left for Fulham but his shot from a tight angle was caught by Rui Patricio.

Other than those two flashes at goal, the opening 15 minutes was a stalemate. A packed midfield meant both sides regularly surrendered possession and were unable to link to the forward players.

Once Wolves got a foothold on the ball they struggled to break down the two banks of four from their opponents, who were happy to sit in when out of possession.

Nuno’s side should have been ahead after 25 minutes when Saiss expertly won the ball back high up the pitch and fed Neto. The winger curled an effort destined for the bottom corner but goalkeeper Areola first performed a superb save before then blocking Semedo’s follow up effort with the goal gaping.

Wolves continued to push for an opener and had another chance when Jimenez flicked on a Neto corner with his heel, flashing the ball across the goal, but no-one in a gold shirt was there to tap it home.

Despite building on their slow start and fashioning some chances, Wolves were unable to break the deadlock and went into half-time drawing 0-0.

The hosts emerged for the second half with a point to prove and started brightly. Some excellent build-up play between Semedo and Dendoncker saw the latter pull the ball back to the edge of the box for Ruben Neves and his low effort was just wide of the post.

Jimenez should have scored when a Kilman clearance fortunately put him through on goal. His effort was saved by Areola’s feet and Dendoncker’s follow up was tame.

Despite missing that glaring chance, Wolves did go ahead after 56 minutes through Neto. Several chances were blocked and the ball fell to the forward on the edge of the box. He took one touch to set himself and then rifled his effort into the bottom right corner.

Wolves continued to threaten the Fulham goal as they grew in confidence, resulting in Semedo trickling an effort wide following a corner routine.

As Fulham aimed to bite back they introduced attacking options Ademola Lookman and

Kamara from the bench, as they searched for an equaliser.

Jimenez showed his desire and work-rate when he refused to give up on the ball when Aina looked to shepherd it out for a throw-in. Once winning it back, the striker cut inside on his right foot but had his shot blocked.

With Wolves seemingly in control, Fulham spring a quick counter-attack and release Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is in on goal. The striker squares the ball for team-mate Kamara but with the goal gaping his poor shot was straight at Patricio who gathered it easily - the substitute should have scored.

That chance sparked a resurgence in Fulham as they pushed for an equaliser in the remaining 10 minutes. Substitute Neeskens Kebano looked lively for the visitors but the forward could not find that much-needed goal.

An organised Wolves defence stood firm and after a handful of late scares they hung onto their lead and the three points.

The result handed Wolves their first win following a run of three defeats in all competitions.

Teams

Wolves: Patricio, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Semedo (Hoever, 78), Dendoncker, Neves, Kilman, Podence (Moutinho, 70), Jimenez, Neto (Traore, 82).

Subs not used: Ruddy, Burr, Vitinha, Silva.

Fulham: Areola, Aina, Ream, Le Marchand, Robinson, Bryan (Kamara, 67), Anguissa, Cairney, Reid (Kebano, 81), Mitrovic, Cavaleiro (Lookman, 67).

Subs not used: Rodak, Hector, Odoi, Johansen.