Wolves 2, Fulham 1: Bill Howell's big match verdict
MICK McCarthy had waited 22 matches to record a home win in the Premier League, Kevin Doyle had waited six months for a league goal, David Edwards had not scored in the top flight, Michael Kightly had waited six months for a kick, and Wolves had not won at home.
Plenty to cheer then, including a bright debut for a hitherto unheralded Ecuadorian, even if Wolves did their best to throw away a commanding two-goal lead and utterly dominant opening hour.
Four minutes of stoppage time felt like 20 minutes to another 27,000-plus bumper gate.
But survive it they did and Wolves rose above Fulham into 12th place in the Premier League amid scenes more reminiscent of last May’s promotion than a simple three points.
Assistant manager Terry Connor hugged McCarthy – who had overseen 19 fruitless Premiership home matches with Sunderland – like a toddler welcoming his mother back from a trip to the shops.
George Elokobi, back in favour after recent misdemeanours, jumped along the perimeter of the pitch as he saluted the supporters, clenching his fist like a prize fighter.
Fulham was, quite simply, a match Wolves had to win. They did. Just.
Roy Hodgson had tagged the home side “a tough nut to crack” beforehand and so they proved – like 11 hardy walnuts out of the oven until those nervy final moments when they were almost ‘dry roasted’. Unsurprisingly, McCarthy made three changes from the side who fell so meekly to defeat at Blackburn.
Segundo Castillo was brought in for his debut and he promised ever so much alongside Karl Henry.
Elokobi and Edwards also came into the side for Richard Stearman, Matt Hill and Nenad Milijas.
As predicted, Kightly and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake were both among the substitutes.
If you could avert your gaze from the banter taking place between former Albion striker Diomansy Kamara and a large section of the home fans in the corner of the Jack Harris stand, then quite clearly a game was beginning to break out.
Not just a game on that lush green turf but unmistakably a pretty decent Wolves performance.
The fact it took them almost 18 minutes to take the lead was the only surprise.
