Fulham

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

And breathe.

Saturday's win over Wolves halted our run of four straight defeats and allowed everyone inside Craven Cottage to let out a sigh of relief.

Yes, Wolves are bottom of the table, but you can only beat what is in front of you. And given we could not finish off Wycombe in 90 minutes on Tuesday, we will take these three points gladly.

Wolves sent manager Vitor Pereira packing in the wake of their loss, which just goes to show that no matter how bad you think things might be, someone else has it worse.

We still have a tough run of games in November, but this victory gives us much-needed room to breathe - and reminds the players that they are capable of doing so much more than merely surviving in the Premier League.

Three points were the most important thing about Saturday, but there were a few more positives to get stuck into.

First was our record signing Kevin starting his first league match. The dazzling Brazilian put in a strong showing and proved to Marco Silva that he is ready to contribute from the start - and not a moment too soon.

Then there was the return of several key players from injury, which really made it feel like we have reached the light at the end of this mini tunnel.

Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Harry Wilson, Samuel Chukwueze and Rodrigo Muniz all came back from injuries of varying severity, giving Silva plenty of options as we head to his former club Everton next week.

Following up on this win is crucial if we are to put this blip behind us and head into the international break looking up the table again. With high-flying Sunderland and Spurs when we return, that is easier said than done.

Time to take a deep breath…

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views after Fulham hit three past bottom-of-the-table Wolves to record their first Premier League win in more than a month.

Here are some of your replies:

Rob: A much-needed three points after a painful streak of losses. It will hopefully rebuild some confidence before going away to Everton next week. Good performances from Kevin, Josh King, Samuel Chukwueze and Harry Wilson.

Claire: We thrive on confidence and this game came along at the right time. King was a handful. We need to put a nice run together now.

Chris: A much better team performance and Kevin is showing his real potential now. We needed this win, especially at a time when some of our key players are starting to return from injury. It's the first time we've sat at the Cottage and listened to away fans singing 'sacked in the morning' to their own manager!

John: A very important win and a solid all-round team performance that should do much to restore confidence. In theory, we are playing well enough to stay away from trouble but with the three promoted sides all competitive this season, it's not a given. We've got enough about us to be comfortably mid-table and a chance to maybe emulate Crystal Palace's cup success of last term. We can dream?

Geoff: It's just as well we were playing Wolves! We are still playing far too slowly in the build up and we need Rodrigo Muniz to start firing up front.

Toppy: Our set-pieces are an embarrassment. I don't care about the score against an abject opposition - it was appalling. Marco Silva has been lauded in many articles, however we can't even look vaguely threatening when many sides are using similar opportunities to score.

Liverpool's chief scout Barry Hunter was at Craven Cottage on Saturday to watch Brazilian winger Kevin, 22, feature in Fulham's 3-0 win over Wolves. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Laura Kenyon
Final Score reporter

Ten games in, have Fulham found the key to unlocking a much-needed offensive awakening?

Up until victory over Wolves, they had scored just nine goals in nine league games. Then three critical components collided and showed a glimpse of what could be a winning formula for Marco Silva: a record signing, a talented teenager and fit-again star quality.

Three individuals at the heart of everything good about Fulham's performance.

Kevin showed flashes of why he is worth the hefty price tag – twisting and turning Wolves' defenders with attacking flair. Teenager Josh King is raw but exciting and growing in confidence after a first senior goal. Finally, Harry Wilson – back from injury – again showed his ability to come up with a moment of magic with his left boot. The link-up play between these three was impressive at Craven Cottage and could be influential in Fulham moving back up the table in coming weeks.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Manchester United

• Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

From the minute Ryan Sessegnon capitalised on a Wolves mistake to score, there was little doubt in the result.

Fulham needed a pick-me-up after four straight defeats sucked them towards the bottom three and Wolves obliged.

The result did not flatter the Cottagers - it could have been more - and it was precisely the performance which will restore any fractured confidence.

Games against Everton and Sunderland either side of the international break could provide further momentum, as Marco Silva's side look to pull away from any immediate danger.

Fulham should have enough to stay clear of the bottom three - they were dynamic enough against a poor Wolves side - but there will be little room for manoeuvre if they slip back to their previous form.

Fulham manager Marco Silva has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the win at Craven Cottage: "It was a very important one for us. We were back home, where we have been very strong. We lost our last game against Arsenal by margins really. We want to make sure this place our fortress and we won again. It's very important to get a clean sheet as well.

"Their red card made a massive impact. We kept ourselves in the game and we were better in the second half than in the first half. There was a bit of tension in the team so it was very important for us to win. We controlled the game much better in the second half."

On getting a clean sheet: "If you're not consistent in terms of not conceding early goals, it's going to be difficult to win games. Some of the bad results that we've had this season, we should've done much better. It's up to us to defend those moments.

"These individual moments play a big part and you have to do much better. We spoke before the game about why it was going to be important to keep a clean sheet."

On Ryan Sessegnon's opening goal settling the nerves: "I thought in the first half we looked a bit anxious. The goal gave us the calmness we needed and from there we built our win."

On Harry Wilson's goal: "It's amazing how many times you see it in the training sessions. From that spot, he is very strong."

On Kevin's performance: "Kevin is going to be about the end-product. He knows how he can have an impact in the game. There has to be an end-product after the dribbling. I know he's going to be able to pass defenders but, after that, it's about the next step. He has something that's important, so now it's up to us to keep giving opportunities to him."

Did you know?

• Fulham have won back-to-back Premier League games against Wolves for the very first time, with the Cottagers having won just one of the pair's previous nine meetings in the top-flight (D3 L5).

• Marco Silva's side has benefited from three own goals in the Premier League this season, the most of any team in the competition.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Fulham boss Marco Silva makes four changes from the defeat to Newcastle, as the Cottagers look to end their run of four straight league defeats.

Kevin - who is making his full Premier League debut - Joachim Andersen, Harry Wilson and Josh King start for the hosts.

Sasa Lukic, Adama Traore and Emile Smith Rowe drop to the bench, but there is no place for Issa Diop.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Bassey, Andersen, Sessegnon, Berge, Kevin, King, Iwobi, Jimenez, Wilson

Substitutes: Lecomte, Castange, Cairney, Smith Rowe, Muniz, Traore, Lukic, Cuenca, Chukwueze

Emmanuel Agbadou and Toti Gomes return for Wolves, who are winless in their opening nine Premier League games.

Vitor Pereira drops Andre while fellow midfielder Joao Gomes is also on the bench for the second straight Premier League game.

Winger Rodrigo Gomes is also left out after suffering a groin injury.

Wolves XI: Johnstone, Hoever, Agbadou, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, Krejci, Munetsi, Bellegarde, Arias, Strand Larsen

Substitutes: Sa, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, Wolfe, Andre, J Gomes, Lopez, Hwang, Arokodare

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Leeds

• Burnley v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Brentford

• Fulham v Wolves

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Arsenal" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Chelsea", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This is massive, for both teams.

Wolves thumped Fulham here last season, winning 4-1 in one of Gary O'Neil's final games in charge before Vitor Pereira took over - and boy how Pereira could do with a similar result this time too.

It doesn't get much worse for a manager than arguing with your own fans, which is what happened after Wolves lost to Burnley last time out, and Pereira's side are bottom without a league win this season.

Fulham are on an awful run too, suffering four straight defeats. They haven't always played too badly, but you can just sense the confidence sapping out of them.

Wolves' problem is they are conceding too many - currently their average is more than two goals a game - and I don't think you can stay in the Premier League doing that.

Pereira shored things up when he first came in - O'Neil's Wolves conceded 40 from their 16 league games last season before Pereira took charge, then only let in 21 goals in their next 16 under him.

That's what he has to do again, but it is clear they have not replaced the players they sold in the summer with the same quality, and there is no sign he will stop them leaking goals.

This is the sort of game where I actually fancy both teams to lose but I am going to back Fulham to edge it at home.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Winless Wolves travel to struggling Fulham for a massive match at the foot of the table. BBC Sport examines some of the key talking points ahead of Saturday's fixture.

Fulham results 'not good enough'

Fulham's penalty shootout win in the League Cup over Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night helped alleviate a few of the dark clouds starting to gather around Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers have lost four successive league games for only the second time under Marco Silva – the joint-worst run of form in the division - although it is worth noting that three of those were on the road, while the other was a 1-0 defeat to league leaders Arsenal.

Silva's side have mustered just nine goals from their opening nine games and only the bottom three sides have scored fewer. Combine that with their propensity to concede – they've kept just one clean sheet this season – and it's easy to see why results have been lacking.

"The results haven't been good enough for us, even in difficult circumstances and against some difficult opposition as well," said Silva in midweek. "But we have been very, very competitive, even in difficult moments.

"In this moment, the confidence is not something you can buy anywhere. We need all of us even more together, and our fans with the team as well."

A return to the Cottage should provide welcome relief as seven of their eight points have come at home. However, they haven't won any of their last five home Premier League matches against sides starting the day in the relegation zone (D3, L2), a run which includes a defeat to Wolves.

Winless Wolves

Saturday's opponents are one of just two sides in the top seven tiers of English football without a win, along with Stamford in the Southern League Premier Central Division.

It's a case of history repeating itself for Wolves as they failed to win any of their opening 10 games last season (D3, L7) and this weekend they could become the first top-flight side to start consecutive campaigns with a 10-match winless streak.

They ended that barren run in 2024-25 with a 2-0 triumph over Southampton and followed that with a 4-1 win at Saturday's venue of Craven Cottage.

Wolves will also be buoyed by the fact that they've won eight Premier League games against Fulham, drawing six and losing only four. They've only beaten Tottenham and Southampton more in the competition, with nine wins against each.

Head coach Vitor Pereira was subjected to chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" at Molineux on Wednesday, but the heart and spirit displayed by his side in their second-half comeback against Chelsea quelled the toxic atmosphere by the final whistle.

Wolves lost the game 4-3 but they were 3-0 down at half-time and Pereira was upbeat about their chances of climbing off the foot of the table.

"This is maybe one of the best groups of players in my career, with spirit and character, to try to change the situation," said the Portuguese.

"We just need a win to believe and move on. I don't have any doubts that we can do it [stay up] and turn around the situation by the end of the season."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves at Craven Cottage (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The squad is "starting to look a little bit better" in terms of injuries and the number of players in training has been "completely different over the last two days". He explained: "Of course I like to have the younger players around, but it is much better to see some of our senior players around now."

• Joachim Andersen will "definitely" be available for this weekend's fixture, while Emile Smith Rowe and Harry Wilson will be "in contention" to feature.

• Rodrigo Muniz, Raul Jimenez and Samuel Chukwueze will be need to be assessed again on Saturday.

• On Rodrigo Muniz's return from a muscular injury, Silva said: "I've got to make a decision on him because he has been out for four to five weeks. He's had some good days with us this week, so it's up to me whether he's going to be in the squad."

• Silva took the opportunity to explain his reasoning in July 2023 behind signing Raul Jimenez, who could feature against his old club this weekend: "We took the decision to sign him when he wasn't in his best moment at all and he has been brilliant for this football club. He is a very hard worker, gives everything for the shirt and is a great example in our dressing room."

• Fulham aren't going to be "over the moon" after winning a game or two in a row but equally aren't going to be "depressed" if they lose a game or two in a row.

• Silva explained: "Unfortunately for us, over the last two months everything has come at the same time. Things were happening that weren't normal and individual mistakes were creeping in. We just have to be more together right now and I have to give my players the confidence to perform. We've already shown this season what we're capable of when we're at our best level."

• The Cottagers will have to perform "at a very good level" to take all three points against Wolves, who are still searching for their first league win of the season, because "nothing is guaranteed in the Premier League".

• When asked about Wolves winning this exact fixture 4-1 last season, he replied: "It is what it is. They are a different team with different players now and we are different in certain aspects as well."

• But when Silva was asked about the opportunity to open up a nine-point gap over Vitor Pereira's side, he admitted: "It is a big match for sure. We understand the type of sport and competition we are in, so for us it is clear that we want to and need to win this game."

• Fulham will be looking to "start the game strong" and "engage their fans" early on as they search for their first league win since 20 September.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

This - it seems - is the season of the set piece.

The Premier League debates are more about dead balls than ever before, with some sides enjoying immense success from corner kicks, throw ins or well-worked free-kicks.

What fine timing then for BBC Sport to launch a column with former manager Tony Pulis, a man who seemed to finely extract the fine margins from the game.

You can take in Tony's column on set pieces here

Only eight teams remain in the Carabao Cup and the draw for the quarter-finals has been made.

Holders Newcastle United, who beat Tottenham in their fourth-round tie on Wednesday, have been paired with Fulham in the last eight.

All four ties are scheduled to take place during week commencing 15 December.

• Arsenal v Crystal Palace

• Cardiff City v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brentford

• Newcastle v Fulham

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking after his side beat Wycombe Wanderers on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals: "Our obligation was to be in the next round. Throughout the game we did enough.

"We knew we had to be positive and keep positivity around ourselves because these types of things happen, where the first shot on target was a goal.

"That's football, and I told the players at half-time that sometimes things come against us and we have to face it in the best way we can.

"The first half was not at a good level but we did create some chances – [though] not clear-cut chances. We didn't suffocate them like we should.

"Second half, we pushed them back and created six or seven clear chances to score. When you create like we created in the second half, we have to put the ball in the back of the net. We have to be clinical, we have to be ruthless.

"We aim really high in this competition. We didn't hide.

"The results haven't been good enough for us, even in difficult circumstances and against some difficult opposition as well. But we have been very, very competitive, even in difficult moments. I'm sure that when we have the full squad available, we're going to be much stronger.

"Many, many things are coming against us. Our words are not going to be enough. We have to work, keep working to be positive.

"In this moment, the confidence is not something you can buy anywhere. We need all of us even more together, and our fans with the team as well."

Wycombe boss Michael Duff makes two changes to the side that beat Huddersfield 3-0 in League One on Saturday.

Jamie Mullins and Anders Hagelskjaer come in for Alex Lowry and Daniel Harvie.

Fulham manager Marco Silva makes seven changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.

Emile Smith Rowe is the only enforced change, as he recovers from a minor hamstring injury sustained at the weekend.

There are three games in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

Kick-off 19:45 GMT unless stated

• Grimsby v Brentford - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wycombe v Fulham - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Wrexham v Cardiff (20:00)

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Did you hear the one about the Fulham side that could not stop conceding in the last few minutes of a game?

It is becoming quite the trope for Marco Silva's side. And the latest gag condemned us to our fourth league loss in a row for only the second time under our Portuguese boss.

The previous time it happened, towards the end of our first season back in the Premier League, it mattered little; we dropped from seventh to 10th in the Premier League and we were already well clear of relegation.

This time, however, we have fallen from ninth to 17th, behind the three promoted sides and just ahead of the tormented trio of Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Wolves.

It is the latter of that trio up next in what is probably the most important of Silva's five-year reign at the club.

Lose that and we could really be in trouble, with November packed with tricky fixtures, including trips to Everton and Tottenham either side of a visit from high-flying Sunderland.

But it is not all doom and gloom. We are one game away from a Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Tuesday offers the boys the chance to recapture that winning feeling, but they have to overcome Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.

Marco made six changes in the defeat by Newcastle and you would expect more rotation in the cup. Normally I would object to constant shuffling, but our injury list - combined with this slump - necessitates a bit of a rethink.

The Chairboys are having a mixed campaign in League One but beat play-off chasing Huddersfield at the weekend, so they will be buoyed while we feel deflated.

Despite all that, there really can be no excuses for a loss. If we do fall at Adams Park, Fulham really will be the punchline.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup game at Wycombe (kick-off 19:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Silva confirmed Emile Smith Rowe suffered a minor hamstring injury which is why he was substituted against Newcastle on Saturday.

• Smith Rowe will not be available to play against Wycombe because of the injury, but it is "just a knock".

• Antonee Robinson, Joachim Andersen, Rodrigo Muniz, Harry Wilson and Samuel Chukwueze are also unavailable for Tuesday's fourth-round tie.

• Silva confirmed that "some players who started on Saturday will start against Wycombe" and said the "mindset in these cup competitions has changed". He added that the goal for the FA Cup will be "to be at Wembley".

• Silva also says that his side need to have the "same enthusiasm" for the League Cup as they have for Premier League matches.

Follow all of Monday's football news

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Geoff: Three much-needed points. What we need, though, is to tidy things up. At times, we were great, sweeping forward, setting up chances, only to make a silly pass to lose the ball. Some of our players were largely anonymous, but I suspect they were weary after the last game. Still, a win is a win.

Ward: The usual pattern at home. We started on the front foot but failed to take our chances. Worryingly, there was an inability to kick on and control the game after we made the breakthrough and we let Fulham back in. I also think we try to be too intricate in congested areas in and around both boxes when we should be trying to stretch the game, look for the open spaces and release our flying wingers as quickly as possible.

Alvin: Encouraged, relieved, but a bit concerned. Encouraged by Murphy and Bruno finally stepping up to take the scoring load off Woltemade and also relieved to score a late winner after being on the receiving end so many times this season. Concerned that the team just doesn't seem capable of replicating the sparkling Champions League form in the Premier League.

Steve: Not pretty, but successful teams have to learn to "win ugly". It caps off a good week for us and, hopefully, the momentum will set us on a good run of results. We take it one match at a time.

Fulham fans

Gary: No business in the transfer window, early-season injuries and now exactly what people predicted is going to happen. Relegation beckons.

Ryan: Fulham are an absolute mess at the moment. I saw in Marco Silva's body language after the game that he's had enough. The owner only has himself to blame for the mess that Fulham are in at the moment. If they had given the manager what he wanted at the start of the summer transfer window, Fulham would be a lot higher in the table. If they're not careful, they will be in a relegation battle. I think it's time for a change of manager and owner.

Bryn: We badly need Tony Khan to wake up and do his job for once in the January window. I have no desire to be once again just hoping for a point here and there in the vain hope of reaching 38.

Rob: Good in places. Calvin Bassey has been an accident waiting to happen. We can't keep clean sheets. Time is up for Smith Rowe; our record on spending big money is poor, Mr Khan. Can't blame Marco if he leaves in the summer.

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Was it going to be a case of deja vu?

Having gone behind at St James' Park, spirited Fulham came from behind to win the game in the second half last season.

But there was no repeat on Saturday. This time it was the visitors who were on the receiving end of a late winner.

Marco Silva will still take a lot of encouragement to his side's response to going behind, though, particularly on an afternoon when they were without a number of players, including defenders Antonee Robinson and Joachim Andersen, summer signing Samuel Chukwueze, midfielder Harry Wilson and striker Rodrigo Muniz.

Fulham could have gone under after Jacob Murphy capitalised on slack play from defender Calvin Bassey to put Newcastle United in front.

But Silva's side rallied and, crucially, carried a threat after failing to register a shot on target against Arsenal last time out.

The game that this team will truly be judged on is the visit of Wolves to Craven Cottage next week. That already feels like a significant fixture, even at this early stage of the campaign.