Fulham’s hopes of finishing in Europe were dealt a huge blow as they drew 1-1 at relegated Wolves on Sunday.
Mateus Mane put the hosts ahead with a fine finish in the 25th minute of the midlands club’s final home game of the season.
But the 18-year-old Portuguese teenager gave away a penalty in first-half stoppage time, Antonee Robinson slotting home to get the Cottagers back on level terms.
The Cottagers delivered a lacklustre performance to leave their hopes of European football all but over, three points off eighth place with a game to go.
It has been far from a fairytale welcome back to Molineux for head coach Rob Edwards, who was booed by some home fans at the final whistle.
Questions remain over the future of Fulham counterpart Marco Silva, and that uncertainty may have fed through to his playing group who delivered a lacklustre performance.
Early attempts from the visitors to assert some dominance over their rock-bottom hosts had little joy. Timothy Castagne’s ball to the back post found Alex Iwobi, but he blasted straight at Jose Sa.
Wolves had no initial luck playing out from the back and their first real glimpse of goal came from a punt down the field which was eventually played to Mane, who drew a good save from Bernd Leno from distance.
The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute when Mane let rip from the edge of the area with a ferocious strike beyond Leno, raising hopes of a first Wolves victory since March 3.
Fulham immediately responded, with a corner falling on the head of Sander Berge who nodded into the ground and over with the goal gaping before Emile Smith Rowe drew Sa into his second save of the contest.
Marco Silva’s side were handed a chance to equalise from the spot when Mane had brought down Castagne inside the area.
Referee Thomas Kirk initially did not award a spot-kick but overturned his decision after being sent to the VAR screen, and Robinson sent Sa the wrong way to equalise.
Molineux was quiet but stood to sing and applaud former striker Raul Jimenez’s introduction for Fulham, which served as a reminder about the good times following his 57 goals for Wolves.
The home team went close to retaking the lead midway through the second half when Hwang Hee-chan slipped through to Adam Armstrong, but he was denied a first goal since March by the post.
