Match Report Wolverhampton Wanderers (0) 1-0 (0) Fulham Premier League Match Day 04 2021 at Molineux Stadium Sunday 4th October 2020     KO: 14:00 Referee: Darren England Live on Sky

Match Stats	Wolves	Fulham
Goals	(0) 1	0 (0)
Scorers	Neto 56
,
Goal attempts	14	10
On target	5	2
Shooting Accuracy	36%	20%
Possession	47%	53%
Passes	400	454
Passes Success	86%	89%
Crosses	18	28
Crosses Success	33%	14%
Corners	6	2
Tackles	10	14
Tackles Success	50%	71%
Saves	2	4
Fouls	15	8
Offsides	0	0
Yellows	1	1
Reds	0	0
source: SkySports

Pedro Neto's strike condemned Fulham to the joint-worst start to a top-flight season in their history and left Scott Parker in dire need of new players before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Only once before, in the 1951-52 season, have the Cottagers lost their first four matches in a season in the top tier, and that campaign ended in relegation.

Though this was an improvement on their first three displays, especially in defence, Fulham still could not take their chances when they came. Not long after Neto had put Wolves in front in the 56th minute, substitute Aboubakar Kamara wasted a glorious chance to equalise.

Vice-chairman Tony Khan irritated both Parker and his players when he apologised for the team’s performance on Twitter after last Monday’s 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa. Though there was no reason to do so here, a major improvement is required after the international break.

Wolves had barely a month’s pause after their 383-day season finally ended in mid-August when they were beaten by Sevilla in the Europa League, and they have struggled to find top form since winning 2-0 at Sheffield United on the opening day of this campaign.
Against a Fulham side lacking confidence, Wolves looked to make a fast start.

From his unfamiliar spot at left wing-back, Romain Saiss swung a cross to the far post when Leander Dendoncker tried to head it back for Raul Jimenez. Luckily for the visitors, Tim Ream was quickest to the ball and nodded it behind.

At the other end, summer signing Antonee Robinson pushed forward from left back and found space in the penalty area only to shoot straight at Rui Patricio.

After conceding 10 goals in their first three games, it was no surprise to see Fulham boss Scott Parker take a safety-first approach here. When Wolves had the ball, there were often 11 visiting players behind it.

And when the home side did break through, Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola produced an outstanding double save to keep his team level.

Areola dived to his left to keep out Pedro Neto’s angled drive from 20 yards, and then leapt to his feet to deny Nelson Semedo from the follow-up. No wonder Areola celebrated like an outfield player who had just scored a spectacular goal.

Wolves moved up a gear at the start of the second half and created two good chances before they took the lead.

Ruben Neves shot just wide from the edge of the box after Semedo and Dendoncker had combined neatly to create space for him, before Max Kilman’s long clearance caught the Fulham defence on their heels and they were bailed out again by Areola, who denied Raul Jimenez when clean through.

Areola could do nothing about the opener, however.

Maxime Le Marchand did well to block Dendoncker’s powerful strike but the ball rebounded perfectly for Neto, who drove it low across Areola into the bottom corner with his left foot.

Soon after the goal, Ademola Lookman was brought on for his debut after joining on loan from RB Leipzig, and he should have created the equaliser.

The winger spun inside his own half and found a glorious pass for Aleksandar Mitrovic, who squared for Kamara. Unmarked and 10 yards from goal, Kamara managed only to guide a weak shot into the arms of Patricio.

Fulham were much better after Lookman came on, running at Wolves for the first time and pushing them back.

With time ticking away, substitute Neeskens Kebano powered on to a loose ball 20 yards out before lashing it narrowly over the bar.

Fulham desperately need these moments to start falling in their favour.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Patricio, Saiss, Coady, Boly, Kilman, Neves, Dendoncker, Semedo (Hoever 78), Neto (Traore 82), Podence (Moutinho 71), Raul

Unused substitutes: Ruddy, Vitinha, Silva, Buur

Goals:
Neto 56 (left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.)

Booked: Neves (90+2,f),

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

Unused substitutes: Hector, Johansen, Odoi, Rodak

Booked: Le Marchand (79,f),

Referee: Darren England

Attendance: 0