Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 28/11/23...

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Fulham 3-2 Wolves: Willian scores two, including 94th-minute winner, to down O'Neil's men
Willian completed his brace with a last-gasp penalty to help Fulham overcome Wolves 3-2 in the Premier League on Monday night.

The experienced 35-year-old scored two penalties, while Alex Iwobi's early strike was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha and Wolves' Hwang Hee-chan also netted from the spot.

The winger's double took his tally to three for the season as the Cottagers claimed their first victory in four games.

A golden chance was presented to the hosts after 40 seconds. The creative Andreas Pereira whipped a dangerous ball into the box and Fulham striker Raul Jimenez swung his boot but failed to convert his second in as many games.

But Pereira's efforts were rewarded in the seventh minute when he set up the opening goal of the game.

The Brazilian was everywhere. He drifted onto the left before he beat his marker and delivered another perfect drilled low pass, this time to the alert Iwobi who gave Fulham a deserved 1-0 lead.

The Cottagers looked to strike again through Jimenez, who failed to tap home before Wolves keeper Jose Sa denied Tom Cairney's powerful effort moments later.

Wolves grew into the game and were unfortunate not to score a goal of their own.

Mario Lemina started positively against his old side and drove forward before unleashing Korean striker Hwang, who was denied by the crossbar.

And Wolves got the goal they needed in the 22nd minute through Cunha after a magical moment of individual play in the build-up.

It started through tricky Frenchman Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who toyed with Antonee Robinson on the left flank, before he jinked outside and delivered a delightful cross to the head of Cunha in front of the empty net.

The minutes before the goal suggested it was coming and Marco Silva's side yet again paid the price for not taking their chances.

Individual mistakes were a big theme of the first half and goalkeeper Bernd Leno was called into action after a defensive error in the 36th minute where Timothy Castagne dealt with a cross which would have seen Cunha claim his second at the back post.

Cunha started Wolves' first big chance in the second half when he slipped strike partner Hwang wide but his cross to Matt Doherty was kept out of danger by Castagne, who replicated his earlier heroics.

But typical of the end-to-end game, Fulham won a penalty after Cairney beat Nelson Semedo to the ball and was brought down in the box.

A VAR check ruled the incident to have happened inside the area and Willian stuttered in his run-up and sent Sa the wrong way, stroking his effort into the bottom right corner to restore Fulham's lead.

A deft flick on from Jimenez set Iwobi through but the Nigeria international was denied his brace by Sa who tipped his effort over before the Wolves keeper stopped another effort not long after to keep his side in the contest with 20 to go.

And Wolves converted a penalty of their own in the 75th minute through Hwang.

Fulham skipper Tim Ream bundled Hwang to the ground and the striker stepped up and blasted his effort down the middle to make it 2-2 in front of Wolves' travelling supporters.

In dramatic fashion Fulham won another penalty in added time after Joao Gomes was deemed to have brought down Harry Wilson in the box.

The clinical Willian calmly stepped up and buried his effort past Sa to give the hosts an important 3-2 win.



https://www.football365.com/news/report-fulham-3-2-wolves-willian-scores-two-94th-minute-winner

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Player ratings from Fulham's 3-2 win against Wolves – Willian is the penalty king as Iwobi and Cairney excel alongside him in midfield
Fulham earned their first Premier League win since the start of October by overcoming Wolves 3-2 at Craven Cottage on Monday night.

A late Willian penalty earned Marco Silva's side the win after the visitors had twice equalised following Alex Iwobi's opener and an earlier spot-kick from the Brazilian.

Here are Dan Evans' player ratings from Craven Cottage.

Bernd Leno – 6

Not a great deal he could have done about either goal and dealt with everything else that came his way fairly comfortably. Ended up making four saves but none of them were spectacular. Was robbed of possession in his own box by Mario Lemina in the first half but spared embarrassment by a Calvin Bassey clearance.

Timothy Castagne – 6

Linked well with Iwobi in Fulham's great start but was not at his best defensively, making more than one error that almost allowed Wolves in on goal had it not been for the interventions of team-mates. Still managed to make four interceptions and three tackles though, further cementing his place in the side despite Kenny Tete's return from injury.

Calvin Bassey – 7

Played excellently until his awkward header set Wolves up to equalise from the penalty spot. Now looks comfortable playing on the right side as a left footer and bailed out both Castagne and Leno after they had almost set Wolves up for two separate chances. Hard to see how he loses his place in the team anytime soon given how well he has performed since that difficult night at Tottenham.

Tim Ream – 6

Not the centre-back's finest showing as he conceded the penalty that allowed Wolves to equalise in the second half. There was not a great deal he could do after Bassey's misplaced header but his challenge on Hwang was clumsy at best. Still made two tackles and two interceptions.

Antonee Robinson – 7

Something of a return to form for the left-back after some below-par showings. Picked up an assist for Iwobi's goal and linked well with Willian throughout. Could have made more of a couple of decent positions to cross but ended the night with two tackles and two interceptions.

Harrison Reed – 6

Always had big shoes to fill stepping into Palhinha's role at the base of midfield and struggled at times. Gave away possession more than once to put Fulham in trouble but raised his game in the second half to limit Wolves' opportunities to counter.

Tom Cairney – 8

Was actually fairly quiet in the first half aside from a shot saved by Sa from the edge of the box before excelling after the break. A determined tackle and run helped to win the first penalty and he was able to dictate play as Fulham searched for the late winner. Will surely keep his place in the team on the basis of some of his passes alone.

Alex Iwobi – 9

Has been desperate to play in a central role since arriving at Craven Cottage but was fantastic on the right wing in this one. Switched positions regularly with Pereira in the first half and did well to start and finish the move for the game's opening goal. Adds a different element to Fulham's attacks with his dribbling.

Andreas Pereira – 6

One of several who excelled early on before fading. Looked far more comfortable with Iwobi to his right rather than alongside him in midfield, and almost set Jimenez up for an early goal with an intelligent run down the flank. Replaced by Harry Wilson as Fulham chased a winner in the final 15 minutes.

Willian – 8

Turned out to be the Fulham hero with two coolly taken penalties in the second half that ultimately decided the game in his side's favour. Was probably one of the quieter attackers on the night but did play a lovely pass into the path of Robinson to set up Iwobi's opener.

Raul Jimenez – 6

Looked set to have one of his better games since arriving in west London from Wolves in the summer as a key part of Fulham's promising start but faded as the game progressed. Had a decent chance to make it 2-0 from a tight angle but was denied by Sa. Hard to know if the first 10 minutes were a sign of better things to come or if the hour or so that followed suggest the Mexican will continue to struggle. Replaced by Carlos Vinicius following Wolves' second equaliser.

Subs:

Harry Wilson – 7

Had another significant impact off the bench as he won the late penalty that allowed Willian to decide the game. Was busy and involved at other times as well, meaning Silva will find it hard to leave him on the bench going forward.

Carlos Vinicius – 6

Was busy as usual but never really picked up the pace of the game. Perhaps lucky to only see yellow after clashing heads with Max Kilman.

Tosin Adarabioyo – NA

Sasa Lukic – NA



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/player-ratings-from-fulhams-3-2-win-against-wolves-willian-is-the-penalty-king-as-iwobi-and-cairney-excel-alongside-him-in-midfield/

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Willian spot on to sink Wolves
Willian's second penalty of an eventful evening at Craven Cottage felt massive. The Brazilian veteran's nerveless conversion of a generous spot-kick award in stoppage time after Fulham had twice relinquished the lead to Wolverhampton Wanderers ensured Marco Silva's put ten points between themselves and the relegation zone in the midst of a stuttering second season in the top flight.

The Portuguese head coach insisted he wasn't worried about looking over his shoulder in the build-up to this game and felt his side needed only to become more consistent in order to climb the table. He referenced the need to match the intensity of a Wolves outfit clearly flourishing under the stewardship of Gary O'Neill and sprung a surprise in his team selection. Harrison Reed did replace the suspended Joao Palhinha but was partnered in central midfield by Tom Cairney, making his first league start in more than three months. Alex Iwobi switched out to the right flank as the Silva plumped for a combination of grift and guile to win the critical midfield battle.

The switch paid immediate dividends as the hosts hit the front in the seventh minute with a goal of real quality. Iwobi switched the play out to the left where Willian and Antonee Robinson worked a clever give and go before the American full-back fizzed a low ball across the box. Iwobi made light of the cut back being a little behind him by improvising a fabulous first-time finish to the delight of the home crowd. It could have been two shortly afterwards, as first Willian almost pounced a lovely ball from Iwobi, and then a short corner came to Cairney at the edge of the box, but the Fulham captain cracked his shot straight at Jose Sa.

But Fulham's flying start almost came crashing down around them in an instant. First, Antonee Robinson somehow escaped a yellow card for scything down Hwang Hee-chan on the halfway line, and then Reed presented the ball to Mario Lemina as if the Wolves midfielder was still a team-mate from his 2020/21 loan spell with the Whites. Lemina's ball was perfectly weighted for Hwang to run onto and such is the South Korean striker's rich vein of goalscoring form he was a little disappointed to clip the crossbar with a rising drive as he bore down on Bernd Leno.

The relief was merely temporary for the home side as the watchable winger Jean-Ricner Bellegarde twisted Antonee Robinson inside out before standing up a delightful cross to the back post where Matheus Cunha buried a free header. Fulham's defending, with eight men in the box leaving two forwards completely unattended, was diabolical but the aesthetic beauty of the goal was undeniable to the delight of the raucous travelling fans in the Putney End.

Suddenly, Fulham looked rattled. Reed tried to turn on the edge of his own area and was robbed by Hwang with Fulham fortunate that it was substitute Matt Doherty, an early replacement for the injured Rayan Aït-Nouri, who found himself in advanced position on the left wing. The Irish international's cut back had too much power on it and the hosts breathed a huge sigh of relief. Iwobi sent a couple of snapshots off target – but not by much – before Fulham were indebted to Timothy Castagne, who slid in to avert the danger as Bellegarde's low cross deflected towards goal off Calvin Bassey.

That wasn't the end of the drama as Leno, usually exemplary with the ball at his feet, took an extra touch with Lemina haring down on him in pursuit of a backpass. The former Southampton midfielder darted in to steal possession but the tight angle made an immediate shot impossible and Bassey burst back to cover the cross towards Joao Gomes ensuring that Fulham, despite more than a few alarms, went in all square.

Wolves switched their wing backs over at the start of the second period that began at a helter-skelter pace, but was devoid of quality. Castagne made a magnificent interception covering at the near post when Doherty seemed destined to turn in a teasing cross from Hwang before Cairney took a leaf out of his full back's book to win possession back from Lemina with a fierce challenge. Andreas Pereira drove into the box before being crowded out, but Cairney was caught as he burst onto the loose ball by Nelson Semedo. VAR Stuart Attwell consulted several replays before agreeing with Michael Salisbury's penalty award and Willian sent Sa the wrong way to put Fulham back in front.

The hosts had chances to extend their advantage with Raul Jimenez putting Iwobi in the clear only for Sa to deny the Nigerian international a second goal. The Wolves goalkeeper kept out an effort from Pereira after the ensuing corner and Wolves came again with Lemina drawing a smart save from Leno. O'Neill sent on Sasa Kalajdzic and the Austrian striker had an immediate impact, panicking Calvin Bassey into a header that bounced invitingly for Hwang. The Wolves forward look favourite to beat Ream to the loose ball ahead of Leno and went to ground under the American's challenge. It looked a clear cut penalty and Hwang made no mistake in levelling matters from twelve yards.

The second equaliser spurred on Wolves with Doherty close to laying on a third with a strong run before Ream cleared the danger with an outstretched leg. Silva sent on Harry Wilson and Vinicius, whose major contribution was to get booked for squaring up to Max Kilman on the touchline. Cairney came close to putting Fulham back in front with a low drive from distance that went a yard wide – but the game's most contentious moment was to come in injury time.

Salisbury initially waved play on on after Wilson had gone done having harried Gomes as the midfielder took his time in clearing his lines inside the Wolves box, but he was sent to consult the pitchside monitor and changed his mind. That put serious pressure on Willian, who picked out the other corner to restore Fulham's lead. Silva's side had to survive twelve minutes of stoppage time – and a late barrage of Wolves pressure – to claim what felt like an important victory.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, A. Robinson, Bassey, Ream; Reed, Cairney (Lukic 90+5); Iwobi, Willian (Adarabioyo 90+5), Pereira (Wilson 76); Jimenez (Vinicius 76). Subs (not used): Rodak, Tete, Ballo-Toure, De Cordova-Reid, Harris.

BOOKED: Ream, Vinicius.

GOALS: Iwobi (7), Willian (pen 59, pen 90+4).

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (3-5-2): Sa; S. Bueno, Toti, Kilman; Semedo, Aït-Nouri (Doherty 19), Lemina, Gomes, Bellegarde (Kalajdzic 62); Hwang Hee-chan, Cunha (Doyle 83). Subs (not used): Bentley, Otto, Troare, H. Bueno, Sarabia, Silva.

BOOKED: Gomes, Lemina.

GOALS: Cunha (22), Hwang Hee-chan (pen 75).

REFEREE: Michael Salisbury (Preston)

ATTENDANCE: 24,336



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/11/willian-spot-on-to-sink-wolves/

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Wolves boss Gary O'Neil confirms referee admitted Fulham pen should NOT have been given
Fulham were awarded two controversial penalties in their 3-2 victory over Wolves, the first of which referee Michael Salisbury admits he got wrong in Monday's clash

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil has confirmed that the referee in his side's 3-2 defeat to Fulham admitted to him that the opposition's first penalty should NOT have been given.

The Premier League clash was filled with controversial decisions, including three spot kicks, two of which went against the visitors at Craven Cottage. Willian put Fulham 2-1 up in the second half for a penalty which O'Neil says referee Michael Salisbury admits was the wrong call, having misjudged Nelson Semedo's challenge on Tom Cairney.

"We discussed a lot of discussions. Vinicius should have been sent off for head-butting Max [Kilman]," the Wolves boss told Sky Sports post-match. "Tim Ream should have been sent off for a second bookable offence for the penalty. They are my opinion.

"Nelson touched the ball for the first penalty and doesn't touch Tom Cairney. The referee said he thinks he got it wrong and should have been sent to the monitor."

The furore comes following a series of decisions which have gone against Wolves this term, dating back to their opening game of the season away to Manchester United. Having been denied a late penalty after United goalkeeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic, the PGMOL sent an apology to the Molineux club.

But O'Neil isn't interested in apologies and added after the bitter loss at Fulham: "That doesn't help me, our fans who have travelled here or our players who are feeling frustrated again. The referee has admitted it was a mistake.

"We disagree on the second one. I think it was really soft. You could argue two of them could go against us but for all four to go against us is very tough. We have been here a lot of times already this season and we don't deserve that. It is bad luck that it keeps going against us but there are bad referee decisions in there.

"I am trying to remain calm and I haven't been abusing the referee But there are six or seven points that have gone against us. I am managing a big club and the difference that is making to my reputation, us climbing the league and people's livelihoods is huge. With all the technology and time, in the biggest league in the world, it can't be okay that we are getting so many wrong."

The Wolves manager, whose side are 12th in the table after 13 games, continued: "We have two options now - me and my players keep behaving in a way that we should, respecting everybody and respecting the decisions. Or we start to make some noise. I have been very honest about that.

"I would rather be a decent human being and show respect but things need to get better. I can't accept being on the end so many wrong decisions like we have been. I have always been for VAR but it is causing a big problem at the moment. I just think it has cost us. It isn't helping much with subjective decisions. It has finally turned me against VAR."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-wolves-oneil-fulham-penalty-31543189

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Player ratings: Fulham 3-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

George Rossiter returns with the player ratings

It was less a game of two halves and more a game of three penalties as Fulham dramatically took all three points from a five-goal encounter with Gary O'Neill's side. The Whites were pegged back twice by a determined Wolves side, but every time they got back into the game, Marco Silva's men found a way to get back ahead, all the way through to the 94th minute of the game. Not the prettiest performance, but an important victory nonetheless.

Bernd Leno

Leno was faultless for the opening goal was much more down to some woeful defending from the full backs in front of him. The penalty from Hwang was well struck and Leno got absolutely nowhere near. On multiple occasions, he swept well when Wolves looked to play the ball in behind to the pace of Hwang and Cunha. Quite lucky not to concede a goal to Mario Lemina after being caught in possession in his own penalty box. 6/10.

Timothy Castagne

Continues to show a really good turn of pace which wasn't seen as a key attribute of his when he signed, whether a recovery run towards his own goal or in a run down the flank, it's a good trait to have. Defended well for 99% of the game, just frustrating that he lost Matheus Cunha far too easily at the back post for Wolves' first equaliser. 6.5/10.

Calvin Bassey

Considering it was quite a chaotic game around him, his bog standard performance was quite handy at the back. Solid in the first half, solid in the second half, nothing really to complain about here. Probably deserves credit for how calm he looked on the ball throughout considering the number of recent worries he's had playing out of position on the right side of the defence. 6.5/10.

Tim Ream

I love Tim Ream and I'll back him to the end of the earth, but this was a very worrying performance. He really struggled with the pace of Hwang in the early stages who got in behind the American far too easily and eventually pushed him into getting a yellow card. Got caught in possession on too many occasions for someone as good on the ball as he is and it was such a clumsy challenge to concede the Wolves penalty. 4.5/10.

Antonee Robinson

I'll get the negative out of the way, Bellegarde sent him to America and back, and then rather embarrassingly did it all over again before delivering the cross for Wolves' first equaliser. Other than that, a really quite solid defensive showing, especially with minimal defensive cover from Willian. Also consistently one of our most dangerous attacking threats, getting in a number of fantastic crossing positions and providing a good run and assist for Iwobi's opener. 7/10.

Harrison Reed

Looked really focused in the opening stages, winning a number of interceptions in the middle of the park, which was always going to be vital in the absence of the suspended Joao Palhinha. Struggled for control as the first half went on and as Wolves gained some momentum in midfield he looked in danger of being overrun. Definitely settled in the second half and looked at his best when Wolves took Bellegarde off and switched to a midfield two instead of a three. 6.5/10.

Tom Cairney

Vintage Thomas Cairney. Slightly struggled to find time and space on the ball in parts of the first half, but the longer the game went on, the more he made it his own. Seeing Cairney play 90 minutes of a Premier League match and be the best player on the pitch in the latter stages was a beautiful sight. His challenge on Lemina and subsequent surge into the box to win our first penalty was all round superb. Everything Fulham do going forward is linked together so much more effortlessly with Tom Cairney on the pitch. 8.5/10 – Man of the match.

Andreas Pereira

It's just boring saying the same things over and over again now. You see Pereira get into some promising positions in the right side of the box early on, including when he nearly set up Raul for a goal, and you think this is promising...but then for 70 minutes nothing happens. No desire to get on the ball, no intensity, no creativity. He's anonymous in a team desperate for creativity in the final third, and it's made all the more frustrating by the ability he so obviously has not being on show. He needs some time out of the team, for me. 5/10.

Alex Iwobi

Showed some really quality, intricate first-time touches early on which were important in Fulham's build-up play as they set the tempo in the opening chapter of the contest. His finish for the first goal is so clever. His run is perfect, his body positioning for a ball coming behind him is intelligent, and the finish itself is cute too. Got into a number of good positions in the final third and potentially should have had a second on 68 minutes, but forced a decent save from Jose Sa. 7.5/10.

Willian

Oh my goodness gracious me, we have a football player capable of scoring two penalties in one game under immense pressure. Considering how tentative he looked when the ball fell at his feet at an angle in the six yard box in the first half, you'd worry this is a man low on confidence. His two perfectly placed penalties say otherwise. Not the most eventful performance other than that, but two crucial goals marks a huge contribution. 7/10.

Raul Jimenez

Honestly, I don't know what to say that hasn't been said before. I even tried to manifest a brace pre-game but no amount of positivity will make up for a striker who offers so little to his team. Sometimes he got the ball in Wolves' half and it was like watching football in slow motion. We simply must sign someone better in January, because this experiment, whatever it is, is not going to work. 5/10.

Substitutes

Harry Wilson

Subbed on after 76 minutes for Andreas Pereira

Wow, how nice and refreshing is it to see an attacker come onto the pitch and actually find space and ask for the ball at his feet (hint hint, nudge nudge, Andreas). Did well to win the second penalty and has to start against Liverpool for me. 6.5/10.

Carlos Vinicius

Subbed on after 76 minutes for Raul Jimenez

Probably should focus more on controlling the ball and his temper rather than squaring up and assaulting opponents like he seems to attempt to do in any sub cameo he's had recently... 6/10.

Tosin and Sasa Lukic (subbed on after 95 minutes for Willian and Tom Cairney) subbed on too late to be fairly rated, but it's fantastic to see Tosin return from injury.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-11-27-player-ratings-fulham-3-2-wolverhampton-wanderers/

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'I love the finish' - Ex-Liverpool star Michael Owen praises Fulham winger Iwobi for brilliant goal v Wolves
Fulham have struggled for goals this season after the departure of Aleksandar Mitrović to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, but netted three at Craven Cottage on Monday night in a 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Cottagers took the lead in the seventh minute through Alex Iwobi, who ran across the face of the Wolverhampton Wanderers goal to tuck the ball in from a great cutback by Antonee Robinson.

Wolves responded well as Matheus Cunha, with a well-placed header, restored parity midway through the first half.

In the second half, two goals from the spot by Willian, with Hee-chan Hwang's goal sandwiched in between, helped Fulham climb to fourteenth in the Premier League standings.

Former Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United striker Michael Owen, who was on punditry duties for Premier League Productions revealed that Iwobi showed great technique to score his first league goal for Fulham.

Owen highlighted that the Super Eagles star drifted inside from his position on the right wing in the build-up to his goal.

"He did well, we pick him up here, actually coming from the right hand side and ends up taking more of a central position. He doesn't vacate that and he just gets in behind defenders there," Owen remarked.

"I love the finish as well, the ball is actually behind him. He starts to move earlier form the right hand side and then finishes it right on the inside left channel."

Iwobi has now scored four goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which is his joint-highest against a single team he has faced in his professional career.

The Nigeria international has also netted four times against Stoke City in fewer appearances (4).

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=49603

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Post-Wolves Press Conference
Marco Silva was pleased with how Fulham put a 'resilient' Wolverhampton Wanderers to the sword on Monday night.

Twice we were pegged back by Gary O'Neil's side, but a dramatic stoppage time penalty from Willian secured the Whites a huge three points at Craven Cottage.

"We wanted to react, after a tough month for us," Silva explained. "We wanted a reaction, and we did it.

"The second half we were much more on the front foot, much more in control of the game. We pushed them back and controlled the game much better.

"But I have to say that the way we started the game was really good, too. First minute of the game, a very good combination on the right hand side, we almost score.

"The way we scored for 1-0 was a very good moment from ourselves. We had the chance to score 2-0 in that combination from a corner, very good save from Sa.

"The reaction came from Wolves, a moment down the right hand side, where they beat our pressure and we didn't recover well and didn't defend well our box when they equalised.

"Second half we were much more on the front foot. We knew that they were showing a really good resilience in all the games. The last few games they came back to score, they always show the resilience to come back.

"Tonight, again, when they were losing 1-0, they drew 1-1, when they were losing 2-1 they drew [level] again. But our team showed the team spirit, the togetherness, the quality – not during the 100 minutes, but some spells.

"I really believe that we deserve the three points because overall we were the team that tried more to win the game, and wanted more to win the game."

Willian had ice in his veins for each of his spot-kicks, and Silva is happy to have a player with such composure in his ranks.

"It's really important for us," he said. "We know the quality of Willian in that moment. Of course, last season it was my decision in certain moments to not change the penalty taker because it was a player that needed to score to get some more confidence to score in the other moments of the game.

"But we knew that Willian was always a taker for us as well. It was my decision for him to be the taker tonight, and it was nice to see him to take the responsibility. Two penalties, very good moments from him.

"Overall, his performance was really good, too. It's important – when you have these type of chances, we must score, and he did it in a very good style."

Tom Cairney was brought into the starting XI, and the Fulham captain more than justified the decision with a dazzling display in the middle of the park.

"Very good performance, very good performance," his Head Coach said. "I think he was the best player on the pitch, and he deserves it. It was a very good performance tonight.

"He started because he's showing to me in the training sessions that he deserves the chance and deserves the moment to start.

"It was a game that I knew that we are going to need more calm, because we are not in a moment full of confidence. We are going to need more calm on the ball, and I know what Tom Cairney can give us in these type of moments.

"When you play with Willian, Alex, Andreas Pereira and Tom Cairney behind the striker, it was clear what we wanted for the game. I knew that we were going to have ball, and I wanted much better decisions, because I knew that it's going to be important for us to have some control.

"We did better second half, and Tom Cairney was a really important piece on that."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/november/27/post-wolves-press-conference/

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Fulham 3-2 Wolves: Player ratings
Bernd Leno: The German goalkeeper 50th Fulham appearance was a little hairier than his usual first-class displays, but Leno was not at fault for either of the goals. He had no chance with Matheus Cunha's first half header or an emphatic penalty from Hwang Hee-chan, but almost gifted Wolves the lead on the stroke of half time when he took a touch too many as he was closed down by Fulham old boy Mario Lemina. He certainly wasn't the only Fulham man who played his team into trouble this evening. 6

Timothy Castagne: But for losing Cunha for the first Wolves goal, this would have been a colossal performance from Castagne. Preferred to the fit again Kenny Tete, it was if the Belgian full back knew he has that the dependable Dutchman breathing down his neck. He produced two brilliant last-ditch clearances to prevent almost certain Wolves goals: one at the end of the first half when a deflected cross flashed across the six-yard box after Fulham had failed to clear a corner and he anticipated superbly to slide in ahead of Matt Doherty at the near post when Hwang Hee-chan whipped in a low ball. 7

Antonee Robinson: Fortunate to escape a yellow card for a cynical challenge on the halfway line in the first half, Robinson showed both his brilliance and baffling defensive frailty almost immediately after one another in a helter-skelter first half. He looks every inch the modern full back when he drives forward down the left flank and his interplay with Willian that culminated in the cross for Iwobi's opening goal was perfect. He was sold far too easily by the feints from Bellegarde that created the equaliser for Cunha, but Fulham profit so much from his adventure down the wing that it is easy to see why Silva persists with the American. He was a constant threat for the full ninety minutes. 7

Calvin Bassey: Bassey looks much more assured on the right side of the central defensive pairing than he did earlier in the season, but the Nigerian didn't escape the chaos that seemed to envelope Fulham's defence. He was calm and even cultured in possession with his big error coming when he failed to get a strong enough contact on a header having climbed to challenge Sasa Kalajdzic. His back header was tame and put Ream into trouble – leading to Wolves' penalty. 6

Tim Ream: Is time beginning to catch up with our evergreen American? Ream looked understandably second favourite every time he was left in a foot race with either Hwang or Cunha and picked up an early yellow card for an obvious attempt at disrupting a promising Wolves counter-attack. His challenge for the penalty was clumsy and perhaps borne out of the frustration that he wouldn't be able to prevent Hwang for running in on Leno. Most Premier League sides have pace in their forward line and he's not going to get any quicker. 5

Harrison Reed: This wasn't the special one Iniesta's finest hour. He was everywhere in the early stages, matching Wolves' energy and intensity, but there's a fine line between being busy and becoming a hindrance to your team-mates. Reed was fortunate that Hwang hit the crossbar after he presented the ball to Lemina in the middle of the pitch before showing that he hadn't learned his lesson when he turned into trouble and had the ball pinched off him by Hwang high up the pitch. He only appeared unflustered once Gary O'Neill took off Bellegarde and sacrificed Wolves' numerical advantage in the middle. 6

Tom Cairney: This Marco Silva selection certainly paid off. Captain Cairney's first Premier League start since his fifteen minutes at Manchester City in September was a masterstroke as Fulham utilised the ball more intelligently than they have done for a long time and the experienced midfielder was orchestrating attacks as well as the pace of proceedings from the deep role where he shone last season. He stepped up a gear when pushed forward into the number ten role later on and played a key role in winning one penalty and snapping into a crucial tackle on Lemina that laid the platform for the dramatic finale. 8

Alex Iwobi: The Nigerian's versatility and guile really came to the fore tonight. Added some verve and drive along the right as well as physicality and a bit of invention. Started and finished the move to open the scoring – producing a lovely first-time finish with his right foot, even though the ball from Robinson was a little behind him. You can see the goal galvanise Iwobi, whose roared through the gears, and was a constant threat to the Wolves defence. Might have had a second in the second half but slotted nicely into central midfield after Harry Wilson's introduction as well. 7

Willian: Cruised through this game with several clever touches and intelligent runs, even if some of his through balls didn't find their intended target. Always available for a team-mate in possession under pressure, the Brazilian veteran dropped into positions that made him difficult to mark, and showed all of his experience in stepping forward to take two critical penalties to put Fulham back into the lead. 7

Andreas Pereira: Showed some positive signs early on – especially when he almost laid on a goal for Raul Jimenez – but this was a rather pedestrian performance from the attacking midfielder who was so flawless in his first season at Craven Cottage. Creative players can often go through ruts but Pereira's loss of sparkle is disconcerting as he is such an effortless player and an obviously important part of Silva's side. Must be close to being dropped – although that won't lift his confidence. 5

Raul Jimenez: There wasn't a goal against his old club for Jimenez and the Mexican barely had a sniff of goal against three centre halves who knew exactly what he would thrive on. This performance was whole-hearted and full of running – and it wasn't as if Carlos Vinicius made much of an impression against a well-drilled Wolves back line – but Raul might not be the dynamic forward required to bring the post-Mitrovic side to life. 6

Substitutes:

Harry Wilson: The Welshman made a real impact off the bench and added some drive to Fulham's play in the final third. Won the penalty but beyond that made a number of intelligent runs and utilised the ball well. He may well have done enough to start at Anfield against his old side. 7

Carlos Vinicius: Very little to report other than the Brazilian should probably send a Christmas card to Max Kilman because the Fulham academy graduate's mature reaction to his sensless headbutt probably saved Carlos a red card. 6

Tosin Adarabioyo: Superb to see Tosin back in the black and white after a long injury lay-off. 6

Sasa Lukic: The Serbian wasn't on for long but his two major contributions were not at all positive; letting a Wilson cross run in stoppage time to give Wolves the opportunity to break forward and conceding a free-kick inside our half that sent my heart rate soaring. 5



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/11/fulham-3-2-wolves-player-ratings/

[Bill2]

Jamie Carragher drops 'extremely harsh' verdict on two incidents in Fulham vs Wolves
Wolves have been beaten 3-2 by Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Gary O'Neil's side once again stung by VAR – and pundit Jamie Carragher has given his immediate reaction following the game.

Wolves came from behind twice, before a late Willian penalty won it for the hosts.

Wanderers fell behind early doors when Alex Iwobi tapped in after a move down Wolves' right-hand side. But Jean Ricner-Bellegarde then produced some brilliant footwork to set up Matheus Cunha to equalise.

Then in the second-half, VAR took centre stage.

Fulham got their first of two penalties, with referee Michael Salisbury awarding a spot-kick for a foul by Nelson Semedo on Tom Cairney. Replays showed Semedo got a touch on the ball, but VAR Stuart Attwell upheld the decision.

Wolves got back on level terms when Hwang Hee-chan was fouled by Tim Ream in the area, with the South Korean converting the spot-kick himself. Ream arguably should have been sent off having already been on a yellow card.

But then in injury time, Willian scored his second penalty of the game after Joao Gomes was adjudged to have fouled Harry Wilson. Replays showed Wilson started to go down before extremely minimal contact.

Jamie Carragher reacts to VAR controversies in Fulham vs Wolves
Speaking after the game on Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher said of the first incident involving Semedo and Cairney: "I think it's extremely harsh. There's no doubt Semedo gets a touch on the ball, not a lot but then there's not a lot of contact also with Cairney there. We're talking... he stands on his big toe.

"Once the referee has then given the decision, VAR is in a position where they're thinking 'OK is this clear and obvious, how big a mistake is it?'. That is not a penalty.

On the second incident involving Gomes and Wilson, he said: "I think again it's extremely harsh. For me, the referee has got an unbelievable position. Sees it, shakes his head straight away. When you slow it down it looks a lot worse.

"I actually think that is more of a penalty than the first one. My problem with that is, once the referee hasn't given it, that for me shouldn't be overturned and given as a penalty."

Absolutely farcical
Many Wolves fans were extremely tired of VAR long before this game but many are feeling utterly sick this evening.

Wanderers probably deserved a point from this game on balance, but there seems to be no hope of that happening for Wolves when a game is delicately balanced.

Ream and Carlos Vinicius should have both been sent off for Fulham, and the two penalties that were given were both not penalties.

To think Gary O'Neil recently said that he felt the officiating standards after a positive chat with Howard Webb, who must be feeling very uncomfortable this evening.



https://www.molineux.news/news/jamie-carragher-drops-extremely-harsh-verdict-on-two-incidents-in-fulham-vs-wolves/

What biased clap trap. Doesn't mention the fact that Tom was continually hacked down in the second half. Or that Lemina should have had a second yellow. As for Carragher well he is not so vocal when a top team player goes down rather easy, let us not forget KDB when he dived last year.