Wolverhampton Wanderers returned to winning ways as they beat Fulham 2-1 after two second-half goals in which their full-backs played a big part.

Rayan Ait-Nouri’s opener was followed by an own goal from Tom Cairney from Nelson Semedo’s shot to give Wolves their fourth league victory in six matches.

Fulham scored a deserved goal in the last minute of stoppage time through Alex Iwobi but it was not enough to stop Wolves climbing to eighth and in the hunt for a European spot as they are six points behind Manchester United in sixth.

How the match unfolded

Wolves made three changes from their defeat to Newcastle United as Santiago Bueno, Joao Gomes and Nathan Fraser replaced Craig Dawson, Toti Gomes and Tommy Doyle. 

Fulham were unchanged from their win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

After a cagey start, Fulham had a great chance to open the scoring after 25 minutes when Iwobi played Harry Wilson through on goal, but the latter’s effort with the outside of his boot went wide.

Tosin Adarabioyo then hit the bar from 10 yards after a well-worked move from Fulham in the 35th minute.

Wolves were dealt a blow just before half-time when Pedro Neto was forced off with an apparent hamstring injury, their second forced substitution of the match after Jean Ricner-Bellegarde had been replaced due to an injury.

Wolves broke the deadlock just six minutes into the second half through Ait-Nouri. Pablo Sarabia’s free-kick was not dealt with by Calvin Bassey and the ball fell to Toti Gomes, who set up Ait-Nouri to smash it in from close range.

The home side doubled their lead in the 66th minute after Semedo’s strike from the edge of the box was turned past Bernd Leno by Cairney.

Fulham pushed for a way back and substitute Joao Palhinha forced Jose Sa into a good save at his near post before Maximilian Kilman cleared Rodrigo Muniz’s rebound off the line.

The Wolves goalkeeper was called into action again two minutes later when former Wolves player Adama Traore went on a brilliant run and unleashed a powerful shot, but Sa made a superb diving save to his right.

Iwobi scored a consolation goal in the ninth minute of additional time as he reacted quickest to turn Armando Broja’s touch past Sa, but it was too late to prevent a first defeat in three matches for Fulham that keeps them 12th on 35 points.

Wolves report | Fulham report

Match officials

Referee: Tony Harrington. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Mark Scholes. Fourth official: Geoff Eltringham. VAR: John Brooks. Assistant VAR: Lee Betts.