Played
March 4, 2012 9:05 AM EST
Craven Cottage — London
Referee: M. Jones
Attendance: 24034
March 4, 2012 9:05 AM EST
Craven Cottage — London
Referee: M. Jones
Attendance: 24034
Top of the Match
Pavel Pogrebnyak
Fulham
Fulham
Pavel Pogrebnyak
Fulham
Fulham
Flop of the Match
Kevin Foley
Wolves
Wolves
Kevin Foley
Wolves
Wolves
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Fulham 5-0 Wolves: Pogrebnyak hat trick seals stunning victory
Pavel Pogrebnyak sparkled with a fine display as the Cottagers demolish sorry Wolves, leaving Terry Connor's side in the bottom three.
By Tom McKeown
Pavel Pogrebnyak scored a hat trick to make it five goals in three games as Fulham thumped Wolves with a classy 5-0 victory on Sunday.
The home side dominated possession, producing some fine flowing football, and Pogrebnyak put the Cottagers out of sight with a close range header and a cool finish before halftime, with Dempsey grabbing a brace in the second half either side of the Russian’s third.
It was Fulham’s 1000th league win and the first time the club has won three matches on the spin since 2008, a run which has lifted the Cottagers into the top half of the table. Wolves, meanwhile, drops into the relegation zone on goal difference.
January signing Mahamadou Diarra made a first appearance from the bench for Martin Jol’s side while Damien Duff replaced the injured Bryan Ruiz.
Terry Connor made one change, bringing in Michael Kightly in midfield, while striker Steven Fletcher started on the bench. Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey started despite missing his country’s defeat at home to Costa Rica on Wednesday, but compatriot Dave Edwards didn’t feature.
Pogrebnyak looked like he’d have a frustrating afternoon early on, as he struggled to spring the Wolves offside trap.
On six minutes Ronald Zubar was booked for strong challenge on Clint Dempsey, but Jon Arne Riise’s free kick was drilled straight into the Wolves wall.
Riise then struck a stinging low drive from 25 yards, but Hennessey was able to tip his effort wide. Moments later the Norwegian had yet another attempt from out wide with it ending up deflected over by Zubar.
Fulham’s domination continued past the first 15 minutes, and Duff hit a powerful effort inches wide after good work from Dempsey.
Wolves then nearly took a surprise lead when Jamie O’Hara’s curled free kick was headed inches wide by Richard Stearman.
Hennessey was called into action yet again on 23 minutes, saving Andrew Johnson’s effort from point-blank range after a superb ball in from Riise. Senderos then had a golden opportunity from the corner as the ball fell to him, but the Switzerland international put his effort wide.
Moussa Dembele used quick feet to move away from Kevin Foley and unleash a snap-shot on 36 minutes, which was deflected wide. Then from Duff’s corner Pogrebnyak was there to head in low from close range for his third goal in as many games since moving to Craven Cottage.
The big Russia international then grabbed his second just before halftime after Wolves cheaply surrender possession. Johnson pulled the ball back to Pogrebnyak who hit a fierce strike that nestled in the top corner, giving Hennessey no chance.
Wolves had an early let off in the second half when Aaron Hughes’ ball was spilled by Hennessey and picked up by Johnson, but he failed to find a teammate.
Another defensive mix up ensued minutes later as Christophe Berra’s clearance struck Milijas and fell to Johnson, who laid off to Dempsey, but the USA striker shot straight at Hennessey.
Dempsey then notched his first goal of the afternoon on 55 minutes, rounding Hennessey after a superb through ball from Danny Murphy and producing an excellent finish for Fulham’s third.
Wolves’ top scorer Fletcher replaced Kightly on the hour to provide some much-needed support for Doyle, but Fulham immediately made it four as Pogrebnyak was first to react to Hennessey’s parry from Johnson, and the Russian stabbed home to grab his hat trick.
O’Hara nearly grabbed a consolation goal for Wolves on 65 minutes with a deflected effort from the edge of the box which ran wide.
Johnson, who had an excellent afternoon, nearly made it five with a clipped effort from outside the area which hit the crossbar.
Diarra replaced Murphy on 68 minutes to make his Fulham debut, and was instantly enjoying time on the ball as Wolves continued to surrender possession.
Fulham then parted the Wolves defense once more, as Dembele found himself alone in the area, but his shot on the turn flew straight into the arms of Hennessey.
Duff was next to try his luck, slicing wide from the edge of the area after cutting inside from the right wing.
Diarra then made a telling pass on 82 minutes, slotting through to Dempsey who rifled a shot into the top corner for his second and Fulham’s fifth, rounding out a nice victory for the Cottagers.
Follow GOAL.COM USA on
The home side dominated possession, producing some fine flowing football, and Pogrebnyak put the Cottagers out of sight with a close range header and a cool finish before halftime, with Dempsey grabbing a brace in the second half either side of the Russian’s third.
It was Fulham’s 1000th league win and the first time the club has won three matches on the spin since 2008, a run which has lifted the Cottagers into the top half of the table. Wolves, meanwhile, drops into the relegation zone on goal difference.
January signing Mahamadou Diarra made a first appearance from the bench for Martin Jol’s side while Damien Duff replaced the injured Bryan Ruiz.
Terry Connor made one change, bringing in Michael Kightly in midfield, while striker Steven Fletcher started on the bench. Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey started despite missing his country’s defeat at home to Costa Rica on Wednesday, but compatriot Dave Edwards didn’t feature.
Pogrebnyak looked like he’d have a frustrating afternoon early on, as he struggled to spring the Wolves offside trap.
On six minutes Ronald Zubar was booked for strong challenge on Clint Dempsey, but Jon Arne Riise’s free kick was drilled straight into the Wolves wall.
Riise then struck a stinging low drive from 25 yards, but Hennessey was able to tip his effort wide. Moments later the Norwegian had yet another attempt from out wide with it ending up deflected over by Zubar.
Fulham’s domination continued past the first 15 minutes, and Duff hit a powerful effort inches wide after good work from Dempsey.
Wolves then nearly took a surprise lead when Jamie O’Hara’s curled free kick was headed inches wide by Richard Stearman.
Hennessey was called into action yet again on 23 minutes, saving Andrew Johnson’s effort from point-blank range after a superb ball in from Riise. Senderos then had a golden opportunity from the corner as the ball fell to him, but the Switzerland international put his effort wide.
Moussa Dembele used quick feet to move away from Kevin Foley and unleash a snap-shot on 36 minutes, which was deflected wide. Then from Duff’s corner Pogrebnyak was there to head in low from close range for his third goal in as many games since moving to Craven Cottage.
The big Russia international then grabbed his second just before halftime after Wolves cheaply surrender possession. Johnson pulled the ball back to Pogrebnyak who hit a fierce strike that nestled in the top corner, giving Hennessey no chance.
Wolves had an early let off in the second half when Aaron Hughes’ ball was spilled by Hennessey and picked up by Johnson, but he failed to find a teammate.
Another defensive mix up ensued minutes later as Christophe Berra’s clearance struck Milijas and fell to Johnson, who laid off to Dempsey, but the USA striker shot straight at Hennessey.
Dempsey then notched his first goal of the afternoon on 55 minutes, rounding Hennessey after a superb through ball from Danny Murphy and producing an excellent finish for Fulham’s third.
Wolves’ top scorer Fletcher replaced Kightly on the hour to provide some much-needed support for Doyle, but Fulham immediately made it four as Pogrebnyak was first to react to Hennessey’s parry from Johnson, and the Russian stabbed home to grab his hat trick.
O’Hara nearly grabbed a consolation goal for Wolves on 65 minutes with a deflected effort from the edge of the box which ran wide.
Johnson, who had an excellent afternoon, nearly made it five with a clipped effort from outside the area which hit the crossbar.
Diarra replaced Murphy on 68 minutes to make his Fulham debut, and was instantly enjoying time on the ball as Wolves continued to surrender possession.
Fulham then parted the Wolves defense once more, as Dembele found himself alone in the area, but his shot on the turn flew straight into the arms of Hennessey.
Duff was next to try his luck, slicing wide from the edge of the area after cutting inside from the right wing.
Diarra then made a telling pass on 82 minutes, slotting through to Dempsey who rifled a shot into the top corner for his second and Fulham’s fifth, rounding out a nice victory for the Cottagers.
Follow GOAL.COM USA on
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
