Fulham 0-1 Wolves: Adama Traore with stoppage-time winner for visitors
- Published
Traore netted his first Premier League goal of the season with his 28th shot at goal
Adama Traore struck a stoppage-time winner for Wolves as Fulham's hopes of remaining in the Premier League suffered another significant blow.
Traore settled the game with a fierce angled drive with little time left.
Earlier, Wolves had been denied a goal when the video assistant referee ruled that Daniel Podence's arm was fractionally offside before he crossed for Willian Jose to head in.
Fulham stay 18th, a place and three points behind Newcastle.
However, Scott Parker's side have also now played two games more than their nearest relegation rival and with just six games left to play have little room for further error.
The players wore black armbands and there was a minute's silence before the game for Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died at the age of 99 on Friday.
Traore ensures VAR not the main focus
Fulham 0-1 Wolves: Nuno Espírito Santo pleased by his side's character and energy
With so few opportunities in a poor contest, the biggest talking point of the match threatened to be the decision to disallow Jose's first-half header.
In collecting the ball prior to his delivery from the right, Podence's upper arm was a fraction ahead of the toe of the final defender, prompting VAR to rule it out.
By the letter of the current law the decision was the correct one, but it once again highlights the use of the technology and whether it is being used for the good of the game or not.
Traore was able to provide the one moment of attacking quality to ensure the game had a winner, smashing home his first goal in 49 Premier League matches.
He had contributed little for the previous 92 minutes but when released down the right and up against some tired defensive legs, he seized his chance, firing a drive past Alphonse Areola.
It takes Wolves to 38 points, 12 clear of Fulham and surely now safe from getting dragged into the relegation fight.
It was not without cost, though, with Pedro Neto leaving the field injured in the first half.
Fulham must now hope that Newcastle's poor form continues, with Steve Bruce's side at Burnley on Sunday in one of the two games they have in hand.
'Never let anything sink us'
Fulham 0-1 Wolves: Scott Parker proud of his team despite late defeat
Fulham manager Scott Parker told BBC Match of the Day: "I've been involved in the game for many years and that is a painful one tonight. When the game ends like it does, it's not a good feeling.
"We have had punches that should have knocked us out this season but they haven't done that. We have gone and beat some big teams and Arsenal is going to be a must-win, other games will be must-win but we will keep our resolve.
"You may think I am mad but I honestly believe in this team. What is ingrained in me is a desire, an effort and fight and my team showed that tonight. It's been fine margins all season, what's key is you get back up fighting.
"There's only one way we come back from this and that's come back fighting with your hands up, jabbing away. Never let anything sink us. I'm as low as the players tonight but I can guarantee you on Monday we'll be back in and I'll give everything."
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "Fulham caused us numerous problems and the game broke in the very last minute. It is difficult for Adama Traore to find spaces because the opponents foul him a lot.
"Half-time was disturbed because of the disallowed goal, the players were out of focus. I told them to forget about VAR and we will analyse later. Our priority was to defend and then break.
"The win was very important. This is what we want for the rest of the season, there are a lot of games to be played and we have a lot of things to improve."
Wolves snatch first Premier League away win against Fulham
In the 12th Premier League meeting between Fulham and Wolves, this was the first away victory, and the first away top-flight victory in this fixture since August 1967.
Wolves registered only their second away Premier League win in their past 11 matches (D4 L5), also beating Southampton in February.
With his 28th shot in the Premier League this season, Wolves winger Adama Traore netted his first goal of the season.
Fulham have lost four consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since losing their first four games of this season.
This was the second 90th-minute winning goal scored against Fulham this season, with Tomas Soucek scoring one for West Ham in November.
What's next?
Fulham face a trip to Arsenal for a 13:30 BST kick-off on Sunday, 18 April. Wolves are in action the day before, hosting Sheffield United at 15:00.