Wolves strike late to deny Fulham rare win

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 26, 2018 Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Dec 26 (Reuters) - FULHAM 1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1

Romain Saiss bundled home from close range to earn Wolverhampton Wanderers a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Wednesday and deny Claudio Ranieri's side their first win in six Premier League matches.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 26, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Conor Coady during the warm up REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Substitute Ryan Sessegnon struck to give the London side hope of three points as they fought to move off the bottom of the table, but Saiss's 85th-minute equaliser left Fulham 19th before Huddersfield's trip to Manchester United.

Claudio Ranieri's side showed defensive steel as they battled for a second consecutive clean sheet after achieving their first in a goalless draw at Newcastle United on Saturday, but eventually caved in.

"When a team is bottom, everything goes against this team. We are stronger than this, we want to react in every circumstance," Ranieri told reporters.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 26, 2018 General view of the stadium before the match REUTERS/Hannah McKay

"If you continue to fight you can change (the situation), if you lose hope, you lose everything. I believe in my players and I believe we can make something good this season."

Fulham came closer in a tight first half with Aleksandar Mitrovic a constant thorn in Wolves's side, but Rui Patricio was alert to beat away the Serbian's strike after he wormed free in the area.

Sessegnon made the breakthrough for Fulham seven minutes after being introduced as a substitute, volleying in after Rui Patricio tried to punch the ball away.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 26, 2018 Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

With five at the back Fulham looked more able to withstand pressure than earlier in the season but Saiss levelled after Ivan Cavaleiro's cross sat up for him at the back post with Joe Bryan unable to clear the ball.

Fulham nearly snatched a late victory but Wolves captain Conor Coady hacked a late Mitrovic effort off the line to leave his side in mid-table.

"We're adult enough to know that today was not our best performance, everybody has to realise that," Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo said.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 26, 2018 General view outside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra lub/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

"I felt in the first half we didn't perform, we were surprised that Fulham dropped so deep and were so organised. The line-up was not the best choice for the game.

"In the second half we played better, we controlled the ball, we made chances."

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 26, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers fan outside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

(Editing by Ed Osmond)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 26, 2018 General view outside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Hannah McKay