Fulham 3-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Willian nets two penalties as Cottagers win five-goal thriller

Willian scored two penalties, the second coming in added time, as Fulham beat Wolves 3-2 to stop a slide of poor results and leave the visitors once again ruing a VAR decision.

Fulham have struggled for goals this season yet opened the scoring inside seven minutes, with Alex Iwobi guiding a low cross home after good build-up play by Antonee Robinson.

Wolves fired a warning shot when Hwang Hee-chan hit the bar, then Robinson was turned inside and out by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde to create the equaliser; Matheus Cunha had a simple header at the back post after an excellent cross.

The teams traded penalties after the interval, with Willian and then Hwang converting, before Harry Wilson earned another Fulham spot kick which was won by the substitute, who ensured he made contact with an unsuspecting Wolves defender.

Willian held his nerve and scored again to ensure Fulham moved level on points with Wolves. The Cottagers are 14th and Wolves 12th, owing to superior goal difference.

Fulham’s second penalty was not given by the referee in real time, and the fact Fulham sought to take a quick free-kick a few seconds later rather than lobby for it to be given is perhaps an indication that they didn’t think it would be overturned. Yet they weren’t allowed to take the free kick, and after a prolonged wait, many replays and a trip to the pitchside monitor from the referee, it was given.

It will be a decision which divides opinion. There was contact between Wilson and Joao Gomes – not a lot, and it is only came about because Wilson dangled a leg to ensure it brushed the unsuspecting Gomes – but contact. And in the eyes of the officials, that was enough.

It’s a familiar story for Wolves, who have been on the end of multiple controversial VAR calls this season and will also feel hard done by after a VAR review did not overturn the first Fulham penalty, despite seeing replays which showed Nelson Semedo getting the ball before he kicked Tom Cairney. It’s not fun talking or writing about VAR, but incidents like this make it unavoidable.

In the age of VAR, being a good penalty taker is more valuable than ever. Willian proved his credentials with two excellent spot kicks tonight – he has now taken seven and scored seven in the Premier League.

Fulham: Leno 7, Castagne 7, Bassey 6, Ream 5, Robinson 5, Reed 5, Cairney 7, Pereira 5, Iwobi 7, Willian 8, Jimenez 5. Subs: Wilson 6, Vinicus 4, Adarabioyo 6, Lukic 5.

Wolves: Sa, Semedo 5, Kilman 6, Bueno 6, Toti 6, Ait-Nouri 6, Bellegarde 6, Lemina 5, Gomes 6, Cunha 6, Hwang 7. Subs: Doherty 6, Kalajdzic 5, Doyle 5.

GOAL! FULHAM 1-0 WOLVES (IWOBI) 7′ – Robinson plays a one-two with Willian on the left and gets the return pass alone inside the box, crosses low for Iwobi and the Nigeria international steers the ball from behind him into the goal!

GOAL! FULHAM 1-1 WOLVES (CUNHA) 22′ – Cunha equalises for Wolves, but it’s all about Bellegarde’s assist. He beats Robinson coming in from the right, beats him a second time to get a better crossing angle, then drops the ball onto Cunha’s head at the back post.

GOAL! FULHAM 2-1 WOLVES (WILLIAN) 59′ – Willian takes a penalty and sends Sa the wrong way after a stuttered run-up.

GOAL! FULHAM 2-2 WOLVES (HWANG) 75′ – Hwang wins a penalty, takes himself and smashes the ball down the middle to equalise.

FULHAM AWARDED ANOTHER PENALTY! 90′ – Wilson throws himself to the ground after getting to a loose ball before Gomes – who didn’t know Wilson was coming from behind – and Fulham want a penalty. The referee says no, but a VAR review is called and eventually it is given!

GOAL! Fulham 3-2 Wolves (Willian) 90+4′ – Willian stutters his run-up again, this time goes to Sa’s right and although the goalie dives the right way he can’t cope with the pace on the strike. Fulham lead!