EPL: Fulham Edge Wolves 2-1 to Stay in Contention for European Spot

Fulham secured a crucial 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers to keep their European qualification hopes alive.

Fulham kept their European ambitions alive with a narrow 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. The win ensured that Fulham remained in contention for a Premier League European spot, while Wolves missed the opportunity to move eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Fulham's attacking performance had been lackluster in their defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, but they made amends quickly in this match. It took less than a minute for the visitors to find the back of the net, courtesy of an unlikely goalscorer. Ryan Sessegnon, who was preferred to Antonee Robinson in the starting lineup, was played in on the left by Andreas Pereira and expertly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. This strike marked Sessegnon's first goal since October 2022.

Wolverhampton Wanderers responded energetically to Fulham's early goal, and their persistence paid off when they equalized after a period of sustained pressure. A cross from the left by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was initially mishit by Nelson Semedo, but the loose ball fell kindly to Joao Gomes, who volleyed past a helpless Bernd Leno with precision.

The Cottagers impress to win on the road! 🔴⚫️#WOLFUL pic.twitter.com/PPf1mv90nD

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 25, 2025

Despite being pegged back, Fulham continued to press forward, seeking to re-establish their lead. Andreas Pereira picked out Adama Traore with a floated ball, and the former Wolves player fired a volley straight at Jose Sa. Rodrigo Muniz also had a close-range effort blocked by Santiago Bueno, ensuring that the score remained level at halftime. The evenly contested first half set the stage for an intense second half.

The restart brought an immediate impact, as Fulham regained the lead just 62 seconds into the second half. Adama Traore played a through ball to Rodrigo Muniz, who demonstrated his skill with a delicate chip over the onrushing Jose Sa. This goal marked a turning point in the match, as Fulham's swift response caught Wolves off guard and ultimately proved decisive in securing the 2-1 victory.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' lack of attacking potency in the second half prompted manager Vítor Pereira to make a tactical adjustment. He reversed his initial decision to start without a recognized striker, introducing Jorgen Strand Larsen in place of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. Although this change did not alter Wolves' dominance in possession, they continued to struggle in breaking down Fulham's resilient defense.

Fulham's strategy of absorbing pressure and seeking opportunities on the counterattack almost paid off when Raul Jimenez found himself one-on-one with Jose Sa. However, the former Wolves striker was unable to capitalize on the chance, as Sa stood tall to deny him and prolong Jimenez's scoring drought against his former club. With Wolves' key player Matheus Cunha effectively neutralized for large periods, the hosts were ultimately unable to salvage anything from the contest.

The defeat marked Vítor Pereira's first loss against his managerial compatriot Marco Silva. Despite the setback, Fulham's victory ensured they remain firmly in contention for European qualification. The win extended their impressive away form, with only one defeat in their last 10 matches on the road. Although they only climbed to ninth in the table, Fulham's strong run of results keeps them well within reach of a top-seven finish.