Football news - Romain Saiss strikes late to deny Fulham in frantic finale
Updated 26/12/2018 at 15:03 GMT
Premier League, Craven Cottage - Fulham 1 (Sessegnon 74') Wolves 1 (Saiss 86')
A dramatic late equaliser from Romain Saiss gave Wolves a point away at Fulham on Boxing Day after a frantic finish.
After dominating the first half Fulham found themselves under the cosh after the break as substitutes Ivan Cavaleiro and Helder Costa gave Wolves real impoteus down the flanks.
But Fulham took the lead through a substitute of their own as local favourite Ryan Sessegnon came off the bench to slam home a loose ball in the box.
However that joy was short-lived as the dangerous Cavaleiro fired the ball across goal, leaving Saiss to poke home when Joe Bryan and Costa got tangled up.
And there was further late drama when a long clearance from Sergio Rico found the impressive Aleksandar Mitrovic but his shot was cleared off the line by Conor Coady as it was trickling towards goal.
TALKING POINT
Fulham show fight but same problems remain. This makes it six games without a win for Fulham following a win over Southampton in Claudio Ranieri's first match in charge. In the first-half Fulham were good going forward, with Mitrovic in particular leading the way, but they couldn't find a way through as they failed to really test Rui Patricio.
When they took the lead through Sessegnon it looked as if Fulham would sneak away with a crucial three points but the defence switched off and allowed Saiss to earn Wolves a deserved equaliser. This is more on Ranieri than anything, he didn't react to the Cavaleiro change as the winger tormented his team's right side throughout the second-half.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) Saiss was exceptional in the second-half and ran the midfield next to Joao Moutinho but Mitrovic was dominant throughout. He bullied the Wolves centre-backs for the duration, a stark reminder of last season's match between the two sides, and they had no answer. A couple of times he let himself down with his finishing but he led the line superbly and deserved more out of the match.
PLAYER RATINGS
Fulham - Rico 6, Odoi 4, Mawson 5, Ream 5, Christie 4, Chambers 4, Seri 5, Bryan 5, Kamara 5, Mitrovic 7, Schurrle 5. Subs: Sessegnon 6, Cairney 5, McDonald N/A
Wolves - Patricio 5, Bennett 4, Coady 5, Boly 5, Doherty 5, Moutinho 7, Saiss 7, Jonny 5, Gibbs-White 6, Jimenez 6, Traore 5. Subs: Cavaleiro 7, Castro 6, Vinagre N/A
KEY MOMENTS
12' - CHANCE! Wolves think they have a penalty from a long-throw as the ball appears to hit Odoi's arm. Scratch that replays show that it definitely hit his arm! Then Wolves launch a ball into the box and with three men around him Jimenez brings it down, shows delightful control, and then smashes it just over.
44' - CHRISTMAS HANDBAGS! This hasn't been a particularly dirty game but it's all kicked off a bit here just before the break. Saiss is involved, as is Chambers and they are both shown yellow cards. It's a bad tackle from Chambers and Saiss is right to be annoyed but he still is rightly shown a yellow.
74' - GOAL! FULHAM 1-0 WOLVES (RYAN SESSEGNON) A free-kick is floated to the back post and it is headed back across goal. Patricio comes to punch but it only goes to Sessegnon and he slams it home with his right foot. Slight drama as it looks like it may have been cleared off the line but the referee's watch buzzes and Fulham are ahead!
90' - OFF THE LINE! That was astonishing. Rico catches a shot and smashes it towards Mitrovic. He wiggles space and tries to squeeze a shot away. It gets through but it slowly rolls towards the goal. Coady does well to get back and hook it off the line.
KEY STATS
Ryan Sessegnon (18y 222d) is the third youngest Premier League goalscorer on Boxing Day, after James Milner in 2002 (16y 356d) and Michael Owen in 1997 (18y 12d).
Aleksandar Mitrovic attempted seven shots in the first half against Wolves, the most by a player in the first half of a Premier League match this season.
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