DAY OF DRAMA IN PREMIER LEAGUE: MATCH REPORTS
Nuno’s men on verge of Europe after atoning for Wembley heartbreak
THE heartache of Wembley will not subside for some time yet but here came a slice of retribution for Wolves against the Watford team that so dramatically deprived them of a place in the FA Cup final.
Three weeks ago at the national stadium, Wolves appeared to be home and dry before surrendering a two-goal lead to dramatically lose. Their players, slumped on the Wembley turf, desolate in the changing room, craved revenge.
This victory, capping a superb four days for Wolves after defeating Arsenal earlier in the week, goes beyond merely three points as it also places Nuno Espirito Santo’s team at the front of the pecking order for the final European place.
Wolves wake up this morning with a four-point cushion over Watford and Everton, although Leicester City could move within two points if they defeat Arsenal today.
As things stand, therefore, this vibrant and talented Wolves side are set for Europa League football next season and the club’s first taste of European football in 38 years. It would be just reward for a team that have so often embarrassed the top six teams and demonstrated their quality once again here, particularly in Ruben Neves’ outstanding assist for Diogo Jota’s winning goal.
‘Last season, with all respect, we were playing Burton,’ Nuno said. ‘We must remember where we have come from.’
Watford do retain a trump card, knowing that if they defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, they would also pinch Wolves’ place in Europe.
The lingering Wembley needle between these two clubs was present on the terraces and the matchday programme.
In his captain’s notes, suspended Watford striker Troy Deeney stood by his criticism of Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, who celebrated his goal in the semi-final by wearing a WWE mask.
Watford supporters teased their visitors with chants of ‘We made you cry at Wembley’ and one overexuberant home fan was ejected by stewards inside the opening ten minutes.
Yet the Wolves supporters were able to enjoy their dose of schadenfreude when Jimenez gave their side the lead shortly before the interval. A flurry of Mexico flags appeared while Jimenez lifted his shirt over his face and pointed to the name on the back of his shirt.
Wolves’ half-time lead was merited. The first period was particularly heavy going in blustery conditions but Nuno’s side passed with the greater incision and appeared more dangerous.
A Neves dipper swerved wickedly and almost deceived Ben Foster and at the other end, Watford’s Wembley hero Gerard Deulofeu offered a more fleeting threat. When the mood takes the Spaniard, he can be quite devastating but here he was kept firmly in check. On the one occasion Roberto Pereyra released Deulofeu, his first touch took him away from goal and the forward then slipped while shooting.
Wolves very nearly took the lead in the 34th minute. It was a typically cutting counter-raid, as Jota scurried away from three Wolves players, slid in Matt Doherty on the overlap down the right and the Irishman played the ball across the six-yard box. Jimenez dived in, got a stud to the ball and the cheers had already started from the Wolves end, only for Etienne Capoue to dramatically hook the ball away to safety.
Watford responded in kind. Pereyra dinked in a cross, Andre Gray headed into the danger area but Will Hughes connected with his shoulder rather than head and directed the ball over.
The game now had a greater ebb-and-flow and Wolves soon took the lead. The visitors maintained a spell of pressure deep inside Watford territory and the ball was shifted left to Jota. The Portuguese striker found a half-yard, pitched a perfect cross and Jimenez pounced in the six-yard box.
Wolves then self-destructed immediately after half-time. Ryan Bennett mislaid a back pass, Deulofeu sped onto the ball and although
Rui Patricio intervened superbly, the ball dropped perfectly for Gray to equalise.
The goal encouraged greater enterprise from Watford but Wolves continued to create the clearer chances. Doherty’s cross was headed over by Jota and the Irishman then missed his kick with the goal gaping after a poor punch by Foster.
Wolves found the winning goal they deserved and Neves, their terrific playmaker, found the crucial pass. He picked the ball up midway inside the Watford half on the right flank and pitched a superb, curling cross, using the swirling wind to carry its trajectory. Foster was deceived by the flight but Jota watched the ball all the way, greeting it first-time on the instep to seal the victory and, perhaps, a return to European football for the first time since 1981.
WATFORD (4-4-2): Foster 6, Femenia 5.5, Cathcart 6 (Success 82min), Mariappa 6, Holebas 5.5; Hughes 6 (Kabasele 74, 6), Doucoure 6, Capoue 7, Pereyra 6; Deulofeu 6.5, Gray 6. Booked: Holebas, Success, Capoue. Subs (not used): Gomes, Janmaat, Masina, Sema, Chalobah. WOLVES (3-5-2): Rui Patricio 6; Bennett 5, Coady 6.5, Boly 6; Doherty 6.5, Dendoncker 6, Neves 8, Moutinho 6, Jonny 6.5; Jimenez 7 (Cavaleiro 87), Jota 8 (Gibbs-White 90). Booked: Moutinho, Jota. Subs (not used): Ruddy, Saiss, Traore, Vinagre, Costa. Referee: S Hooper 6.