AliousWolves boss Vitor Pereira couldn’t hide his frustration following his team’s 2-1 home defeat to Fulham, a disappointing result that came just days after a crucial victory had lifted their hopes of avoiding relegation.
Reflecting on his side’s performance, Pereira admitted his team lacked focus early on. “I’m frustrated. Conceding such an easy goal right at the start showed our concentration wasn’t at the level required,” he said.
Despite Wolves finding their rhythm and taking control, Pereira was frustrated by familiar mistakes. “We reacted well, took the lead, and created chances, but starting the second half the same way we did in the first made things very difficult,” he explained.
The Portuguese manager also pointed to fatigue as a key issue. “The team looked tired in the second half. Playing two games in three days made full recovery impossible,” he noted.
Pereira emphasized the importance of tightening up defensively. “We need to defend better, and today we made mistakes we simply cannot afford to repeat,” he warned.
### **Silva Praises Sessegnon After Long-Awaited Premier League Start**
Meanwhile, Fulham boss Marco Silva was full of praise for Ryan Sessegnon, who made a significant impact in his first Premier League start of the season. The left-back, making his long-awaited return to the league lineup, needed just 58 seconds to make his mark, slotting home after being set up by Andreas Pereira.
Although Wolves equalized through Joao Gomes in the 18th minute, Rodrigo Muniz restored Fulham’s lead early in the second half, sealing all three points for Silva’s side.
Following the match, Silva reflected on Sessegnon’s journey, highlighting the adversity the 23-year-old has faced. “He’s a great kid, and the last two or three years have been incredibly tough for him,” Silva said.
He acknowledged the immense potential Sessegnon showed from a young age but also the challenges he’s endured. “At 16, he was playing at a high level, and everyone in England expected him to have an incredible career because of his talent. But football doesn’t always work that way,” Silva noted.
Persistent injuries disrupted Sessegnon’s development, affecting both his confidence and match fitness. However, Silva commended his resilience. “He’s worked hard. This was his first Premier League start, but he’s played well in both cup games he started,” Silva added.
Despite the struggles, Silva remains hopeful about Sessegnon’s future. “Dealing with back-to-back injuries is incredibly tough, but let’s hope he can now look forward to a brighter future,” he said.
### **Fulham’s Tactical Adjustments Prove Key**
Silva was also pleased with how his squad responded after halftime. “After we went 2-1 up, we controlled the game in a different way,” he explained.
Despite Wolves enjoying more possession, Silva believed his side handled the game well. “It was tough for us, but the reality is, they had the ball without creating a single clear chance in the second half,” he pointed out.
With five changes to the starting lineup following their 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace and a quick turnaround between games, Silva praised his players’ adaptability. “We changed the system, rotated the squad, and the boys responded really well. I’m proud of them,” he concluded.
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