Championship - Friday 03rd November 2017, 7:45 PM
Wolves2
(2)
-
(0)
0
Fulham
Attendance: 24388
Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Match events
1
Johansen (f)
Saiss
9
13
Norwood (f)
Bonatini
26
26
Sessegnon (f)
Saiss (f)
42
49
McDonald (f)
Douglas (f)
53
54
Mollo
54
Kebano
63
Soares
63
Ayité
70
Kamara
70
Fonte
Enobakhare
75
Cavaleiro
75
N'Diaye
79
Boly
79
Marshall
87
Bonatini
87
Match review
Match Report
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2) 2-0 (0) Fulham
Championship Match Day 16. 1718 at Molineux
Friday 3rd November 2017 KO: 19:45
Referee:
David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
|
Impressive Wolves moved four points clear at the top of the Championship after cruising past limp Fulham.
First-half goals from Romain Saiss and Leo Bonatini sealed a 2-0 win for the hosts to tighten their grip on the promotion race.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo was linked with the Everton job this week but will see his side go into the international break top following an 11th win from 16 games.
Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham, who reached the play-offs last season, never looked like recovering once Saiss headed Wolves in front.
| Match Stats |
Wolves
|
Fulham
|
| Goals |
(2) 2 |
0 (0) |
| |
| Scorers |
Saiss 9 |
|
|
Bonatini 26 |
|
| |
| Goal attempts |
15 |
10 |
| On target |
5 |
2 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
33% |
20% |
| Possession |
46% |
54% |
| Passes |
513 |
603 |
| Pass Success |
86% |
88% |
| Crosses |
14 |
10 |
| Crosses Success |
43% |
10% |
| Corners |
4 |
1 |
| Tackles |
20 |
14 |
| Tackles Success |
75% |
64% |
| Saves |
2 |
3 |
| Fouls |
16 |
7 |
| Offsides |
4 |
0 |
| Yellows |
2 |
4 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
They remain 16th having won just four times this season and were deservedly beaten at Molineux with Wolves grabbing an early lead.
Ruben Neves has already gone close before Saiss, recalled after suspension, glanced a fine header in at the near post from Barry Douglas' ninth-minute corner.
Diogo Jota then drilled across goal but Wolves escaped when John Ruddy dropped a free kick and Kevin McDonald poked over.
But any Fulham hopes of a comeback ended when Bonatini's 10th goal of the season doubled the hosts' lead after 26 minutes.
Ryan Sessegnon conceded a free-kick on the right and Douglas' excellent driven delivery was glanced in by Bonatini, who has now scored in six straight league games.
Fulham's response was muted as, even if they did see more of the ball, they never used it quickly or efficiently enough to trouble Wolves.
The hosts went hunting for more after the break and Bonatini prodded Ivan Cavaleiro's neat pass wide before Floyd Ayite dragged Fulham's best chance off target from 15 yards.
But Wolves were denied a third after 66 minutes when David Button produced a splendid reflex save from Bonatini's header and Jota failed to turn in the rebound.
The hosts remained in control and Jota, Saiss and Bonatini all squandered fine chances to add to their lead with Bonatini planting a free header over with 17 minutes left.
Wolves: Ruddy, Bennett, Coady, Boly (N'Diaye 79); Doherty, Saiss, Neves, Douglas, Cavaleiro (Enobakhare 75), Bonatini (Marshall 87), Jota
Unused substitutes: Norris, Batth, Rúben Vinagre, Hélder Costa
Goals:
Saiss 9 (header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a corner.)
Bonatini 26 (header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Barry Douglas with a cross following a set piece situation.)
Booked: : Saiss (42,f), Douglas (53,f)
Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Odoi, Ream, Ryan Sessegnon, Norwood, McDonald, Johansen, Ayité (Soares 63), Fonte (Kamara 70), Kebano (Mollo 54)
Unused substitutes: Bettinelli, Kalas, Tayo Edun, Cissé
Booked: : Johansen (1,f), Norwood (13,f), Sessegnon (26,f), McDonald (49,f)
Referee:
David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Attendance: 24,388