Jimenez nets first goal since skull fracture
London: Raul Jimenez made the difference with his first goal since last October as his Wolverhampton Wanderers side secured three points at St Mary’s Stadium.
Jimenez scored Wolves lone goal since coming back from injury as they beat Southampton 1-0 on Sunday.
The Mexico international suffered a fractured skull last November and was kept out of action until his return at the start of this season.
The 30-year-old slotted in the decisive goal of the game against Southampton after 61 minutes, 11 months since his last goal which came against Newcastle.
The Wolves star ran on to a long pass from goalkeeper Jose Sa, beating Southampton defender Jan Bednarek in a physical tussle to get the ball.
He then cut in to evade the tackle of Mohammed Salisu and dragged the ball back, sending Bednarek sliding past him, before sending it beyond the onrushing Alex McCarthy.
The goal is his 35th in the Premier League for Wolves.
“I want to score in every game, I knew the goal was coming, I was fighting for it, working for it and all the team deserve it,” Jimenez told Sky Sports.
“I was thinking ‘When will the goal come?’ It felt really good. Four of our five games have been incredible, we need to keep going like this. We did a really good job.
“The fans are always with us, supporting. It is really important for our team to have them supporting and shouting.”
Arsenal top derby clash
Meanwhile, three first-half goals were Tottenham Hotspur’s downfall at the Emirates on Sunday as they lost the north London derby 3-1 to Arsenal.
Goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka in a blistering 20 minutes during the first half made sure the three points went to Mikel Arteta’s side.
Son Heung-Min pulled a goal back late in the second half for the visitors but it did little to alter the result.
“Not a good day for us,” Tottenhan manager Nuno Espirito Santo said.
“We were not aggressive enough to control the dynamic of the Arsenal midfield.”