Wolves comfortably beat Fulham to go four points clear in Championship

Posted Saturday, November 04, 2017 by PA

Impressive Wolves moved four points clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship after cruising past limp Fulham.

First-half goals from Romain Saiss and Leo Bonatini sealed a 2-0 win for the hosts to tighten their grip on the promotion race.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo was linked with the Everton job this week but will see his side go into the international break top following an 11th win from 16 games.

Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham, who reached the play-offs last season, never looked like recovering once Saiss headed Wolves in front.

They remain 16th having won just four times this season and were deservedly beaten at Molineux with Wolves grabbing an early lead.

Ruben Neves has already gone close before Saiss, recalled after suspension, glanced a fine header in at the near post from Barry Douglas' ninth-minute corner.

Diogo Jota then drilled across goal but Wolves escaped when John Ruddy dropped a free kick and Kevin McDonald poked over.

But any Fulham hopes of a comeback ended when Bonatini's 10th goal of the season doubled the hosts' lead after 26 minutes.

Ryan Sessegnon conceded a free-kick on the right and Douglas' excellent driven delivery was glanced in by Bonatini, who has now scored in six straight league games.

Fulham's response was muted as, even if they did see more of the ball, they never used it quickly or efficiently enough to trouble Wolves.

The hosts went hunting for more after the break and Bonatini prodded Ivan Cavaleiro's neat pass wide before Floyd Ayite dragged Fulham's best chance off target from 15 yards.

But Wolves were denied a third after 66 minutes when David Button produced a splendid reflex save from Bonatini's header and Jota failed to turn in the rebound.

The hosts remained in control and Jota, Saiss and Bonatini all squandered fine chances to add to their lead with Bonatini planting a free header over with 17 minutes left.