It was Fulham who were the fastest out of the blocks at the start of the game, enjoying plenty of possession in the West Ham half.

Despite this, the first real chance fell to the home side as Frederic Piquionne’s header was cleared off the line by Carlos Salcido.

Fulham were always a threat though and were rewarded for their earlier dominance when Clint Dempsey volleyed passed Robert Green from inside the area on 33 minutes.

West Ham pushed for an equaliser before the break, but they were disappointing in the final third and failed to create too much.

They didn’t have to wait too long into the second half to get back on level terms though.

Brede Hangeland’s mistake let in Victor Obinna to cross the ball into the path of Piquionne who made no mistake from close range.

Both sides then had spells on top during the second half, with the majority of chances coming in the final ten minutes of the game.

Scott Parker could only find the side netting with his shot from a tight angle for West Ham and his team mate Robert Green then made a fine save from a close range Dickson Etuhu header.

Fulham had another opportunity to secure all three points in stoppage time, but substitute Diomansy Kamara curled the ball wide after being played clear on goal.

At the start of a lively match, Wolves started the better of the two teams with Gerard Houllier’s men failing to settle in the opening stages.

The home side didn’t make their extra possession count though and Villa slowly started coming into the game with James Collins forcing a good save from Marcus Hahnemann from his free header.

The away side then capitalised on their bright spell by taking the lead on 25 minutes. Marc Albrighton produced an excellent cross for Stewart Downing to tap home at the back post.

Wolves almost his back quickly, but they found Brad Friedel in excellent form as he made a double save from Steven Fletcher and then Kevin Doyle to keep his team ahead going into the break.

Mick McCarthy’s men started the second half as they did the first – on top. They made the most of it this time too, with Matt Jarvis’ dangerous cross finding its way into the back of the net.

Villa responded well to being pegged back though and despite occasional Wolves pressure, they always looked the more likely team to score a winner. They did just that in the 88th minute when Heskey headed home superbly from a Steven Warnock cross to secure the three points.