Fulham - Bournemouth 2-2
Bournemouth frontman Dominic Solanke was looking for his 50th league goal in English football, and Fulham made him wait just 62 seconds to hit that landmark as Bournemouth raced into the lead. Philip Billing combined with the Englishman, cutting his cross back to Solanke who volleyed past Bernd Leno at the near post, scoring for a third consecutive head to head meeting.
Marco Silva’s men responded by piling the pressure onto the visitors and were eventually rewarded with an equaliser. Issa Diop, surprisingly selected over Tosin Adarabioyo, got in front of his marker to head home from Andreas Pereira’s cross. The Cottagers would be level for just seven minutes though, as Jefferson Lerma stroked home a beautiful side-footed effort from the edge of the area to restore the visitors’ lead.
Fulham had defensive issues throughout the half, and owed going in at the break just one goal behind to a fantastic Leno double-save to deny Lerma and Adam Smith from close range. A double-switch from Silva at the break paid immediate dividends as the hosts were awarded a penalty. Lerma wrestled Aleksandar Mitrovic to the ground inside the area, allowing the Serbian to smash home from 12 yards and level the contest.
The Cottagers’ makeshift defence continued to cause them problems as Bournemouth looked to take the lead for the third time. Leno denied a low drive from Solanke, before Lerma nearly atoned for conceding a penalty with a header that drifted just wide. Ultimately, neither side could produce the necessary quality to earn the victory, extending Fulham’s miserable record in this fixture, winning just one of the last 11 league meetings with the Cherries. Continuing a bright start to the season after promotion, both remained inside the top half of the table, although the Cottagers are now winless in three consecutive PL games.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
Wolves - Nottingham Forest 1-0
Having struggled to find the net this season, a wasteful first half from Wolves epitomised their troublesome start to the campaign. Somewhat surprisingly, the main threat for the home side came via full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who threatened with a close-range header and a left-footed strike that flashed wide of the far post. Unable to find the target, the hosts were left ruing their chances at the half-time break.
After a quiet first half, the second period was dominated by VAR decisions, with both sides awarded penalties by referee Thomas Bramall. Firstly to the hosts, who were given the chance to take the lead when Adama Traoré’s shot struck the arm of Forest defender Harry Toffolo, with the ever-reliable Neves converting from 12 yards.
Failing to create any real chances from open play, Forest’s only route back into the game looked like it may come from a set piece. A moment of madness from summer signing Matheus Nunes, who dragged down Ryan Yates from a corner, provided that chance for the visitors. However, unlike their hosts, Forest failed to take advantage, with Brennan Johnson’s tame spot-kick comfortably saved down to the left-hand side by Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Yet another rude awakening for Steve Cooper’s Forest, who stay rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety. As for Wolves, while the victory may have arrived in attritional fashion, for the first time this season they’ve found a way to win under difficult circumstances - a step in the right direction for interim boss Steve Davis.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)