Wolves 1-0 Fulham: Pedro Neto strike extends Cottagers' losing run

Fulham's difficult start to life back in the Premier League continued as Pedro Neto's low drive handed Wolves a 1-0 victory at Molineux.

Scott Parker's side produced a vastly-improved defensive display but Neto's strike in the 57th minute was all that the hosts needed, with Rui Patricio not forced into a save all game.

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While Wolves were not at their best, Alphonse Areola was forced into a stunning double save before half-time and he also denied Raul Jimenez two minutes prior to the only goal of the game.

The result means Fulham are rooted to the bottom of the table with no points from their opening four games, while Wolves move up to 12th after putting defeats to Manchester City and West Ham behind them.

How Wolves extended Fulham's difficult start

After shocking defensive displays from both sides last week, it was unsurprising the opening stages were tetchy and uneventful.

Premier League debutant Antonee Robinson's driving run and weak shot was the main goalmouth action in a nervy opening 20 minutes, which would have left Nuno Espirito Santo frustrated and Parker pleased.

But the visitors nearly undid all their good work shortly before the half-hour mark and were grateful to 'keeper Areola for his heroics.

Neto pounced on a loose Fulham pass and fired in a low shot from the edge of the box. Areola dived to his left to push it away from the bottom corner, before leaping to his feet immediately and rushing out to close down Nelson Semedo.

The wing-back looked certain to score but Areola managed to get his body in the way and deny the new signing a first Wolves goal. The jubilant reaction on the Fulham bench said all you needed to know about the stop.

After an uneventful end to the first half, Areola was quickly off his line a second time as he denied Jimenez. A simple ball over the top saw Jimenez shrug off Maxime Le Marchand and drive a low effort towards goal which was blocked by the 'keeper's feet.

But there was nothing Areola could do when Wolves did take the lead barely two minutes later. Fulham defenders threw themselves in the way of a Leander Dendoncker shot, only to see the ball fall straight to Neto. He took one touch before firing a low drive into the bottom corner with a smart finish.

Fulham responded well and midway through the second half, Parker threw on Ademola Lookman and Aboubakar Kamara which galvanised his side. A well-built break saw Aleksandar Mitrovic tee up Kamara in the box and with all the time in the world to pick his spot, the sub fired an effort straight at the grateful Rui Patricio.

Neeskens Kebano was brought on with nine minutes left and saw two efforts go over the bar, as well as a free-kick blocked as he added even more impetus. But for all Fulham's efforts, they did not force Patricio into working for his clean sheet.

While Wolves will use the result as a platform to build on after the international break, Fulham will know they need to sharpen up in the final third if they are to even fight for survival this season.

Man of the match - Alphonse Areola

Fulham 'keeper Areola may have ended up on the losing side but he was mightily impressive at Molineux.

His double save in the first half was the finest bit of goalkeeping you will see in the Premier League this weekend. But it was also the way Areola commanded his area and took the pressure off his defence when balls were pumped in.

Parker has already noted the positive impact he has had and if Fulham are going to survive this season, Areola looks like having a big say.

What the managers said

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "The result was good, the performance has a lot of aspects that we need to improve. We started well against a very organised team and didn't leave too many spaces. But we lacked creativity to create chances. In defence we were compact and solid and didn't allow too many opportunities.

"We need to get sharper. The only thing is the players go to international breaks and we need time in the training ground to work on the combinations. There are missed passes and touches at the moment."

Fulham head coach Scott Parker: "I'm proud of the team for what they produced. For large parts we showed facets of what a team needs to be. It's been well documented that defensively we've conceded goals. My team were resolute in what they did and we had a massive chance at the end.

"We're playing against a very good side and we nullified their key threat for large points, which is the counter-attack."

OPTA STATS - WOLVES DEFENCE SHINES AGAIN

• Wolves have kept more home clean sheets in the Premier League in 2020 than any other side (seven), keeping seven shutouts in their last nine league matches at Molineux.
• Fulham have lost each of their opening four matches to a top-flight season for only the second time, and the first since 1951-52.
• In all competitions, Wolves are now unbeaten in 16 home matches against Fulham, winning 12 and drawing four.
• Fulham have conceded 11 goals from their opening four Premier League games of 2020-21, the most they've shipped after their first four matches of any league campaign since 1960-61 (14).
• Fulham boss Scott Parker has lost 11 of his 14 Premier League games as a manager (79%); of managers to have taken charge of 10+ games in the competition, only Jan Siewert (80% - 12/15) has a poorer ratio of defeats.
• Of Wolves' last 16 Premier League goals, 12 have come in the second half of their matches. Indeed, Wolves have failed to score in the opening 45 minutes in 20 of their last 26 league fixtures.
• Pedro Neto scored his fourth Premier League goal for Wolves, but first at Molineux, with this his 16th home league appearance for the club.

What's next?

After the international break, Wolves face a tough trip to take on Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds, live on Monday Night Football on October 19. Fulham, meanwhile, are on the road again as they take on Sheffield United at 3pm on Saturday October 17.