Wolves top scorer Hwang Hee-chan gets No. 7 in loss to Fulham

Football

Published: 28 Nov. 2023, 13:18 Updated: 28 Nov. 2023, 16:35

Wolves top scorer Hwang Hee-chan gets No. 7 in loss to Fulham

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Hwang Hee-chan scores the team's second goal from the penalty spot at Craven Cottage in London on Monday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Korean footballer Hwang Hee-chan scored his seventh goal of the season for Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, extending his career high Premier League goal count and earning man of the match despite his team’s defeat.

With 15 minutes of regulation time remaining and Wolverhampton down 2-1 in the second half, Hwang took a penalty and equalized with a strong shot from the center of the pitch, bringing Wolves back from behind.

Hwang’s goal on Monday extended the 27-year-old forward’s reign as Wolves’ leading scorer — and further cemented him as one of the top scorers across the league.

As of press time, Hwang is tied for fifth place along with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak for most Premier League goals this season.

Hwang is also now one spot behind Korean national team and Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min, who is tied for third, with eight Premier League goals so far this year.

As a team, Wolves’ celebration was cut short in the final minutes on the pitch Monday as Fulham took the win with a late-game penalty by Brazilian footballer Willian. Fulham midfielder Harry Wilson took a dramatic tumble over Wolves' Joao Gomes’ leg during injury time in the 94th minute, and a VAR review gave Wilson the foul, the home team an extra kick and with it, the game.

Wolves’ 3-2 loss against Fulham at Craven Cottage was their second consecutive away game defeat after they dropped their match against Sheffield United 2-1 earlier this month.

Wolves now sit in 12th place on the Premier League table while Fulham broke a four-game winless streak to move up to 14th.

But for Hwang, the Monday game reflected the aggressive playing style with which his name has become synonymous on the European and international stage.

Hwang, who joined Wolves on a one-season loan in 2021, has spent time on the pitch in every game so far this year. In addition to scoring seven goals, Hwang has recorded two assists over 13 matches — already beating his record from his previous two seasons with Wolves.

He scored five goals in a memorable Wolves debut and recorded three in his sophomore season, with one assist in each previous year.

The national team regular pick has also played a key role in Korea’s early bid to qualify for its 11th straight 2026 World Cup.

In Korea’s second round Asian qualifier match against Singapore at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul earlier this month, a header by Hwang in the 49th minute was what set off a slew of goals by the home team after a slow start.

Hwang has had plenty of memorable moments in England, too. Most of all perhaps was his winner against then-league leaders Manchester City at home to end the game 2-1, cutting short the team’s early season undefeated streak.

Wolves have so far recorded four wins, three draws and six losses across 13 games this season. They next face No. 1 Arsenal at Emirates Stadium for another away game on Sunday.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]