RYAN SESSEGNON produced a reminder of the form that made him hot property not so long ago.
He scored his first Premier League goal in over two and a half years to provide the platform for Fulham’s victory at Molineux.
Fulham defeated Wolves to keep their European hopes aliveRex
Ryan Sessegnon opened the scoring for Fulham less than a minute after kick-offRex
Wolves ace Joao Gomes equalised shortly after Fulham’s openerAlamy
Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz scored the winner against WolvesGetty
Rodrigo Muniz’s sweet second-half lob kept the Cottagers on course for their first European campaign in 13 years.
But the game was also a milestone for injury-hit Sessegnon who struck after just one minute to stun Wolves.
This was his first top-flight start since playing for Tottenham in the North London derby just over two years ago.
And he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
From the start, Muniz found Andreas Pereira who fed the ball out left to Sessegnon, who fired his shot past keeper Jose Sa.
That was his first Premier League goal since netting for Spurs against Bournemouth in October 2022.
The midfielder began his career at Fulham before returning on a free last summer.
But he started just 26 league games in five years at Tottenham – after being plagued by hamstring problems over the past 18 months.
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Travelling Fulham fans sang “He’s one of our own” about a player who left for Spurs in 2019.
But Sessegnon was at fault for Wolves’ 18th-minute leveller.
He failed to deal with a Jean-Ricner Bellegarde cross and Joao Gomes netted from 15 yards with a powerful finish.
But Wolves fell asleep again at the start of the second half – just as they had done an hour earlier.
Boss Vitor Pereira must have been furious to see his players looking sluggish once more.
Ex-Molineux forward Adama Traore threaded a pinpont through ball for Muniz who lifted the ball superbly over Sa and into the net.
Fulham boss Marco Silva made five changes from the side that lost to Crystal Palace on Saturday – presumably with Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Manchester United in mind.
Silva clearly wants some retribution for the cup clash at Old Trafford two years ago when he and two players were sent off.
Fulham eyeing Europe
But was this a weakened line-up? Not a bit of it.
Fulham took the game to Wolves and made the most of the hosts’ slow start to each half.
It was a result that leaves Silva’s side in ninth place – just two points behind Manchester City.
The last time Fulham made it to Europe was in the 2011-12 season – but with a fierce battle, and possibly eighth place being enough to qualify, the opportunity is there.
Wolves’ relegation battle continues
Wolves are still not out of the woods when it comes to being drawn back into the bottom three – but it would take a big revival from Ipswich or Leicester to plunge them into danger again.
They wanted to build on Saturday’s win at Bournemouth, but Fulham killed the game off in the second half and Wolves could not find a way through again.
Matheus Cunha provided Wolves’ best chance of getting back into the game – but he was off target as Pereira’s men struggled despite a bright first half.
Ex-Wolves striker Jimenez was welcomed by the Molineux fans when he came on as a second-half sub.
And he almost scored Fulham’s third when he brought a solid save out of Sa.
Wolves fans applauded both Jimenez and Traore at the final whistle in an emotional moment for both.
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