PAVEL POGREBNYAK SCORED a hat-trick to make it five goals in three games as Fulham thumped Wolves 5-0 this afternoon.
The home side dominated, producing some fine flowing football, and Pogrebnyak put the Cottagers out of sight with a close range header and a cool finish before half-time, with Clint 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 they have won three matches on the spin since 2008, a run which has lifted them into the top half of the table. Wolves, meanwhile, drop into the relegation zone on goal difference.
Pogrebnyak looked like he would have a frustrating afternoon early on, as he struggled to spring the Wolves offside trap. Fulham’s domination continued past the first 15 minutes, and Damien 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. Fulham did not open the scoring until the 36th minute.
From Duff’s corner, Pogrebnyak headed in from close range for his third goal in as many games since moving to Craven Cottage. The big Russia international grabbed his second just before half time after Wolves cheaply surrendered possession.
Breakthough
Johnson pulled the ball back to Pogrebnyak whose fierce strike 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. Dempsey then notched his first goal of the game on 55 minutes, rounding Hennessey after a superb through ball from Danny Murphy.
Wolves’ top scorer Stephen Fletcher replaced Michael 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, the Russian stabbing 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. Fulham then parted the Wolves defence 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.
