Wolves edge closer to safety after Fulham stalemate

Wolves moved closer to avoiding relegation from the Premier League after grinding out a 0-0 draw against Fulham on Saturday.

Mick McCarthy’s team are now six points clear of the bottom three with three matches to play thanks to a determined display at Craven Cottage.

Fulham’s Bobby Zamora hit the woodwork in the second half but Roy Hodgson’s side seemed clearly distracted by the prospect of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg at Hamburg.

Ronald Zubar had a chance to put Wolves ahead midway through the first half, but his volley from a corner failed to trouble Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Wolves felt Fulham defender Paul Konchesky was fortunate to stay on the pitch after two ferocious tackles on Zubar but referee Mike Dean chose not to punish the Cottagers left-back.

McCarthy’s men threatened again when David Jones’ shot fell to Kevin Doyle, but the Irish striker drove his shot into the side-netting from close-range.

Jones and Doyle combined again minutes later but again Doyle was able to hit the target, this time with a free header from six yards out.

Fulham had a golden opportunity to go ahead on the hour when Damien Duff picked up Zoltan Gera’s pass to race through, but the Republic of Ireland winger was dispossessed by George Elokobi as he tried to cut inside for a shot inside the box.

Zamora almost gave Fulham the lead in the 65th minute. The former Tottenham striker shrugged off Christophe Berra’s challenge and beat Marcus Hahnemann, but the ball bounced back off a post.

Hahnemann then completely missed a Simon Davies corner but centre-back Chris Smalling, who will join Manchester United at the end of the season, headed on to the roof of the net.

At the other end, Elokobi’s long throw was deflected goalwards by Smalling but Schwarzer reacted well to save.