A pair of penalties from Louis Saha powered Fulham past Wolves at Craven Cottage tonight and saw them reach a century of Division One points.
The champions revelled in a rapturous reception created by a delirious home crowd and, although this contest often had the feel of a testimonial, Fulham were far too good for their opposition. Both goals arrived from the penalty spot either side of half time, with Australian defender Kevin Muscat twice upending Karl-Heinz Riedle in the area. Saha had played a pivotal part in the move that led to the first award after speeding away from two defenders both picking out the German veteran and swept the ensuing spot kick past Michael Oakes.
Muscat ruined any hopes that Wolves might have had of staging a second half comeback when he carelessly shoved Riedle to the floor to concede a second spot-kick with twenty minutes to play. Saha confidently did the business from twelve yards and – in truth – the visitors were fortunate to not escape without further punishment. Oakes did superbly to tip over a free-kick from Sean Davis that seemed destined for the top corner and also kept out a fine strike from Lee Clark.
There was a special moment for the home faithful to enjoy when longest serving player Simon Morgan, who has made more than four hundred first-appearances for Fulham, ended an injury absence lasting fifteen months by coming on as a substitute for the final fifteen minutes. The hosts made light of being without seven first-team regulars, who are away on international duty, and stroked the ball around imperiously as they have had since Tigana assumed control last summer with a brief to push for promotion.
This rather routine victory ensured that the Cottagers remain on course to better Sunderland’s second tier record of 105 points across the course of a whole season.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Taylor; Betsy, Brevett, Melville, Symons; Davis, J. Collins (Sahnoun 67), W. Collins (Morgan 77), Clark; Saha, Riedle (Moller 79). Subs (not used): Hahnemann, Neilson.
GOALS: Saha (pen 23, pen 69).
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (4-4-2): Oakes; Muscat, Naylor, Robinson, Pollet; Lescott, Andrews, Proudlock (Roussel 81), Dinning (Camara 73); Branch, Ndah. Subs (not used): Stowell, Emblen, Connelly.
BOOKED: Proudlock.
REFEREE: Tony Leake (Lancashire).
ATTENDANCE: 15,375
