Wolves took their play-off challenge into over-drive as they completely
outplayed a Fulham side for whom the end of the season can't come quickly
enough.
Three second-half goals gave Colin Lee's side their ninth win in 10 home
matches and carried the midlanders to within three points of sixth-placed
Huddersfield with a match in hand.
That game is away on Wednesday to Bolton, who also fancy their chances of a
top six finish following their end of season resurgence.
Wolves had to wait 50 minutes for a breakthrough before Allan Nielsen dived to
head home from Darren Bazeley's right-wing corner.
Nine minutes later, the game was virtually over when Terry Phelan bundled into
the back of the clean-through Michael Branch and the resulting penalty was
curled home by Kevin Muscat.
Wolves, who had totally dominated the first half without scoring, eased off
with the game won but produced a rousing finale and scored the third goal that
leaves them level on goal difference with Huddersfield.
It came in injury time when Neil Emblen did superbly on the right and crossed
for substitute Scott Taylor to drive right-footed through a crowded goalmouth.
Fulham, who have endured a miserable last third to the campaign, hardly
managed a worthwhile effort on goal although midfielder Kevin Ball saw a header
blocked near the line by Keith Curle in the 73rd minute.
Wolves have gone close several times in the first half through Neilsen, Emblen
and Ade Akinbiyi while Neilsen was also unlucky to have a goal disallowed for
off-side.
Wolves' victory came despite the 20th-minute loss of winger Andy Sinton who
was crudely flattened by a tackle that earned Gus Uhlenbeek a booking.
Wolves' fans howled for much more than a yellow card when Geoff Horsfield
appeared to elbow the home side's player of the season Ludovic Pollet in the
face but the striker's offence went unnoticed.
Horsfield was substituted early in the second half as the Londoners drew yet
another goal-scoring blank at the end of a campaign which at one stage looked so
bright for them.
Teams
Wolverhampton: Oakes, Bazeley, Curle, Pollet (Robinson 81),
Muscat, Nielsen (Taylor 54), Emblen, Sedgley,
Sinton (Naylor 20), Akinbiyi, Branch.
Subs Not Used: Flo, Petterson.
Goals: Nielsen 50, Muscat 60 pen, Taylor 90.
Fulham: Taylor, Uhlenbeek (Neilson 35), Melville,
Coleman (Trollope 90), Symons, Finnan, Hayward, Ball, Clark,
Horsfield (Hayles 54), Peschisolido.
Subs Not Used: Thompson, Selley.
Booked: Uhlenbeek.
Att: 19,912.
Ref: W Burns (Scarborough).
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