Spanish midfielder Jesus Garcia Sanjuan scored on his debut to give Wolverhampton Wanderers a slender advantage from the first leg of their League Cup second round tie at Fulham.
Mark McGhee’s new signing, who agreed a three-month loan move from Real Zaragoza, wasn’t expected to feature at Craven Cottage this evening but was introduced as a twelfth minute substitute after Steve Frogatt succumbed to injury. The 1995 Cup Winners’ Cup winner made an immediate impression firing home a fine right-footed finish past Andre Arendse after being sent clear of the home defence by a brilliant ball from Darren Ferguson.
Wolves might consider themselves fortunate to have the crucial cushion of an away goal after a disjointed display against their Second Division hosts. Micky Adams’ men launched a ferocious assault on the visiting goal in the second half with Danny Cullip and Steve Hayward forcing fine saves from Mike Stowell.
FULHAM: Arendse; Morgan, Cullip, Lawrence; N. Smith (Brooker 70), Herrera, Cusack, Carpenter, Hayward; Moody, Newhouse. Subs (not used): Thomas.
BOOKED: Lawrence, Cullip, Hayward, Smith.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Stowell; J. Smith, Kubicki, Atkins, Westwood; Ferguson, Robinson, Frogatt (Sanjuan 12); Bull (Foley 86), Paatelainen, Keane. Subs (not used): Wright.
BOOKED: Robinson, Paatelainen.
GOAL: Sanjuan (31).
ATTENDANCE: 5,022.