Key occasions
47 min Cairney down the road to Robinson, who lumps a cross behind the again publish and behind; he gained’t thoughts seeing the flag go up.
46 min Wolves are straight again into stride, Lemina discovering Doherty whose cross is a goodun … however Cunha, a good manner out, can’t time his connection.
46 min We go once more.
On reflection, New Year’s Day feels a bit early to be held accountable for an end-of-season end result. Er, or not.
Half-time electronic mail: “Noooooo,” beings Richard Hirst. “How could you? Not half-time fun! I was at that match and it cost us promotion to the First Division (that and the pitch invasion by Derby fans which ended the match prematurely and cost us the chance to overtake Leicester – it wouldn’t happen now).”
Half-time enjoyable:
HALF-TIME: Fulham 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Fulham began nicely sufficient, however Wolves look the higher aspect now, faster, stronger and extra creative.
45+3 Robinson slides a move down the left for Willian, who has Iwobi making a run inside. But the move is poor, and that’ll be the final motion of the half.
47+2 min Cunha appears to have damage himself, however I don’t suppose it’s something critical.
45 min We’ll have three extra minutes.
45 min Accepting a backpass, Leno decides he’s Beckenbauer, taking an additional contact – all Lemina must nip in and confiscate possession. But the problem takes him extensive, that means he’s to show and lay again a move for Gomes … however Bassey reads it and intercepts. Excellent defending.
44 min Kanu, what a expertise he was. Anyone bear in mind a present trying on the lives of Premier League footballers, the place he talked about how lonely he felt in England? He appeared a extremely sound bloke.
43 min In comms, they reckon Wolves must get Bellegarde on the ball, and that sounds an honest ploy to me. He’s acquired that pretty, lazy manner of shifting with the ball, doing stuff that appears sluggish however isn’t – not not like Nwankwo Kanu.
42 min It’s gone a bit scrappy.
40 min Fulham win a nook down the appropriate, cleared simply sufficient, then Cunha, close to his personal nook flag, wins an enormous problem, noising up the away followers behind the purpose.
39 min “The two teams I remember best from Euro ‘96 were the finalists,” says Kári Tulinius. “Nedved and Hässler, especially, were in amazing form throughout, but the whole Czech and German teams were brilliant. Nedved is well remembered, but Hässler isn’t mentioned as often as he should be, looking him up on YouTube is worth anybody’s time.”
Too proper. I loved Haessler in Italia 90 too, a worthy successor to pierre Littbarski, whereas Euro 96 was – for me – all about Matthias Sammer.
38 min Cunha and Hwang mix to win a nook which, when solely half-cleared, arrives with Bellegarde, whose harmful low cross-shot is turned away sdperbly by Castagne, underneath stress and going through his personal web.
36 min Iwobi comes inside, swings a beautiful ball to the far publish, and Willian brings it down, just a little extensive however with sight of purpose. Semedo, although, launches right into a slide that misses man and ball … however does simply sufficient to muddle issues up and guarantee Willian’s contact runs away from him.
34 min Another plan, I suppose: Pereira, somewhat than clip the ball in, goes quick and sq.; the following pump into the field is definitely cleared.
33 min Willian is available in off the road and at pace, knocking off simply in time to put on a clattering from Gomes. He’s booked and can now be suspended for the weekend go to to Arsenal.
30 min We’ve all seen what’s taking place to Fulham with our personal groups after they’re out of shape: they’ll begin nicely, however as quickly as issues go just a little awry, they wrestle to proper themselves. Ultimately, Jimenez – the post-injury Jimenez – is not any alternative for Aleksandr Mitrovic, and till they discover somebody who’s, they’re going to wrestle.
29 min Iwobi, who’s spending loads of trip proper, cuts inside, shifting throughout the face of the field, and it opens up such that he actually has to shoot, dragging a left-footer simply extensive of the close to publish.
28 min But they get pleasure from a little bit of possession, working it extensive to Pereira … who lumps a cross miles from wherever as Jimenez shapes up in expectation of an overhead. Maybe subsequent time, outdated mate.
26 min Reed offers it away once more, turning when he had no proper to, simply exterior his personal field. He’s robbed by Hwang, the ball goes left, and Doherty’s cut-back is simply too robust. That’s a let-off for Fulham, who’re struggling now.
24 min “Referees are not there to be understood, nor to get miffed at, nor to even acknowledge,” says Justin Kavanagh. “Think about it: These ‘people’ choose to officiate when they could be playing the game they (presumably) love. They are aliens, methinks. And one good reason to welcome AI to the world.”
I agree with the primary little bit of this: refs are there to be ignored. But more and more, I respect their competence and I’m grateful for his or her forbearance as a result of too many individuals haven’t a clue methods to behave.
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Wolves (Cunha 22)
Cunha scores, however that is all Jean-Ricner Bellegarde! An honest move into midfield, one other out extensive, and instantly Bellegarde is working at Robinson. His first contact is sensational, a flowing, pure caress that’s sooner than anticipated, taking the ball away from the defender, who commits when chucked a feint inside. He’s then simply handed on the surface, and an ideal curved cross is nodded contained in the far publish by Cunha, his header tougher than it first seemed.
20 min Ait-Nouri can’t proceed, so O’Neil sends on Doherty in his stead. He’s performed left-wing-back earlier than, nevertheless it’s not his place and the shortage of pure width gained’t assist Wolves.
18 min Hwang turns adroitly in midfield, eases on to the gasoline and away from Ream, once more; Ream yanks him again and is booked. I’m sure Wolves can be making an attempt to place these two in a race at any time when potential.
17 min This is an satisfying recreation. Pereira strikes by way of midfield and the ball goes to Iwobi, who sees a move to be punched in behind, Semedo working on to it. But there’s an excessive amount of on it and it runs behind for a goalkick.
15 min Ait-Nouri returns, nonetheless limping.
14 min Lemina intercepts a move in midfield and drives, then coaxes ann glorious through-pass that eliminates Ream and sends Hwans racing by way of the centre. Bassey barrels throughout, however although he in all probability forces an early shot, he can’t do something to cease an incredible effort which shrieks and screeches excessive previous Leno … and towards the bar!
13 min Oh pricey, Ait-Nouri runs previous the ball making an attempt to win it off Cairney, and appears in loads of ache when he vegetation a foot and type of goes over it together with his knee. He’s on the aspect receiving therapy, however I’d not be shocked if that’s his night completed.
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