Fulham 3 Wolves 2: Thriller ends in controversy as hosts are awarded last-gasp penalty after lengthy VAR check
GARY O’NEIL was dealt another blow by his pet hate VAR as Wolves crashed to a dramatic defeat.
His team was beaten in injury time by the third penalty of a breathless game which will only add to the frustrations of the Wanderers’ boss.
GettyAlex Iwobi opened the scoring[/caption]
GettyIwobi wheels off in celebration[/caption]
Fulham winger Willian had earlier buried a debatable spot kick on the hour after Tom Cairney went down under a challenge from defender Nelson Semedo.
The Brazilian then had the last word of a thrilling game by converting from 12 yards again – this time after sub Harry Wilson was brought down by Joao Gomes during seven minutes of stoppage time.
To make it even worse for O’Neil, his team had twice pulled themselves back into the game with two equalisers – having also hit the woodwork in the first half during a spirited away performance.
Matheus Cunha planted a neatly cushioned header into the bottom corner of the net on 22 minutes to cancel out Alex Iwobi’s opener after only seven.
And O’Neil thought his luck had finally changed with refs and VAR when striker Hwang Hee-Chan made it 2-2 with 15 minutes to go with a Wolves penalty.
Fulham midfielder Tim Ream had clattered into the South Korean to give ref Michael Salisbury the easiest decision of the night.
O’Neill has been simmering with referees and VAR this season for what he thinks has been a series of debatable decisions against his team.
He has even held talks with refs’ boss Howard Webb over the matter.
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Wolves are LEVEL!
Brilliant work from Bellegarde and Cunha heads home pic.twitter.com/6meoGpwn79
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 27, 2023
ReutersMatheus Cunha levelled with a header[/caption]
GettyThe game was back on[/caption]
ReutersHwang Hee-chan put Wolves ahead[/caption]
Wolves have previously come off worse against Manchester United, Newcastle and Sheffield United this season alone to leave O’Neil fuming with the authorities.
And it looked to be happening again when Fulham skipper Tom Cairney went down in the box under a challenge from Nelson Semedo.
VAR took five minutes to back up ref Michael Salisbury’s initial decision and Brazilian winger Willian stepped up to bury a shot from 12 yards and put Fulham ahead with just over half an hour to go.
Salisbury was forced to consult the pitchside monitor in added time at the end of the second half when Gomes and Wilson collided knee-to-knee.
It is rough justice on O’Neil who has masterminded an impressive run of games in recent weeks which included wins over defending Premier League champions Manchester City and Tottenham. It is a first win in five Premier League games for Fulham.
DRAMA AT THE COTTAGE
Willian with a 94th minute pen! pic.twitter.com/Jf3ktQAyw9
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 27, 2023
Willian levelled from the spotRex
GettyHarry Wilson is brought down for a contentious penalty as VAR gives the decision after a long delay[/caption]
GettyWillian sealed the win[/caption]
