Eighth win in a row at home has Fulham thinking of promotion to Premier League

Fulham 2-0 Wolves

The momentum is starting to get intoxicating.

Eight home wins in a row and 12 unbeaten. Fulham have nothing but automatic promotion on their minds now after their latest polished display – this time at the expense of league leaders Wolves.

There were times when the gold shirts of Wolves looked every inch a Premier League side in waiting, with the speed and power of their expensively-assembled side exerting spells of great pressure.

But Slavisa Jokanovic’s side have the bit firmly in their teeth now and are closing in rapidly on second place. Cardiff are just five points ahead in the second automatic promotion slot.

Ryan Sessegnon broke the deadlock with his 13th of the season after 39 minutes, following up after John Ruddy had parried a low slot from Aleksandar Mitrovic into open space.

Then came a serious rally from Nuno Espirito Santo’s team at the start of the second half. They upped the tempo and redoubled their efforts. But apart from a low shot from Portuguese star Ivan Cavaleiro, comfortably saved by Marcus Bettinelli, Fulham defended calmly and efficiently.

And their task became so much easier in the final 20 minutes when Mitrovic, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turned past two defenders and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner for his second goal of the week – the striker having opened his account at Craven Cottage in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

Stefan Johansen almost made it three with a first-time shot from the edge of the area which missed the far post by inches. A goal then would have been just reward for an outstanding personal performance, as he and Tom Cairney increasingly ran the show,

When sub Diogo Jota tuned the ball over the bar late on after being presented with an open goal by Benik Afobe, the game was well and truly up for the leaders, whose many fans at the Putney End had arrived in party mood, but sloped off at the end knowing their side had been well beaten.

Fulham’s ability to look after the ball was again key, but the defensive competence is proving vital too. That is now four home games without the away side netting. Their form leaves them fearing no-one.

Fulham: Bettinelli – Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Targett – McDonald – Johansen, Cairney (Odoi 90), Sessegnon – Ayite (Ojo 64), Mitrovic. Subs not used: Button, Fonte, Norwood, Christie, Kamara.