TOM Cairney claims Fulham’s determination to take the game to Wolves from the first whistle was a big factor in tonight’s 3-2 win over the Midlanders at Craven Cottage.
The 32-year-old captain was making his first Premier League start since the opening day win at Everton and his return to the fold was a winning one in a game determined by three penalty decisions.
However, the deadlock was broken on seven minutes from open play when Alex Iwobi grabbed his first top flight goal since completing a deadline day switch from the Toffees.
And Cairney believes that was just the lift off Fulham needed to collect their first maximum return in five games.
He told Sky Sports: “We spoke before the game and said the win is important, but I think the performance is more important, because with good performances come wins.
“We concentrated on ourselves tonight and I think you can see that.
“The game plan was to play well from 0-0.
“We’ve always played well when we’ve been trailing this season, but you can’t climb mountains in this league.
“You have to turn up at 0-0, play positive, play with arrogance and I felt like we did that a little bit tonight.”
Cairney added: “It (Iwobi’s goal) was key.
“We’ve gone behind far too often this season, especially at home as well.
“To go 1-0 up gives you that little bit of energy, that little bit of extra legs and I think you could tell.”
Fulham’s advantage was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha’s header midway through the first-half to ensure both sides went in level at the break.
Then came a second-half dominated by three contested penalties, the first of which came when Cairney was adjudged to have been found by Nelson Semedo after a long VAR check which sent referee Michael Salisbury to the screen to look again.
The man in the middle eventually green lighted the pen, with Willian converting almost four minutes after the challenge had been made to restore Fulham’s advantage.
Cairney said: “I was travelling fairly quick for me and I got there.
“I’ve moved the ball and (he) hit my ankle. At that pace it takes you down and yeah, it was a penalty.”
Wolves were awarded a 75th minute spot-kick of their own following a push by Tim Reem on Hwang Hee-chan, who was quickly on his feet following a VAR check to beat Bernd Leno from 12 yards.
But there was to be late, late drama in stoppage time as Mr Salisbury was once more sent to look at the monitor following a coming together between Harry Wilson and Joao Gomes.
Penalty number three of the evening was the decision and Willian once again stepped up to do the honours and seal a vital three points for the Cottagers.
Cairney was emphatic when asked to explain the psychological significance of Fulham getting their noses in front for a third time.
“It was massive,” the skipper replied.
“They brought it back twice and looked a very good team, but I just felt like that we had that extra little bit tonight and we weren’t going to leave without three points.”
Marco Silva had no doubts whatsoever the stoppage time penalty award was the correct decision, even though to many it looked the softest of the trio.
The Whites boss said: “The second one for me is a clear penalty.
“When you see the image from the back it is a clear penalty, the second one.
“I can tell that the first two – the first for us and for them – probably was a little bit more soft with the contact.
“But for me the second one is more than clear.
“The decision with VAR looking for the three penalties, I just saw one or two images.
“They have the conditions to take the right decisions – and I hope always that they can take the right decisions because it is their job.”
