Wolves cruise as Leeds fume at Mendes link
The Wolves are at the Premier League door — and it would appear to be only a matter of time before they smash it down. A run of three games without a win was ended in stunning fashion in a one-sided contest which prompted an angry outburst from Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani. The Championship leaders’ Chinese owners are stakeholders in agent Jorge Mendes’ company and have signed a number of his players, while manager Nuno espirito Santo is a client of the Portuguese. And on the final whistle Radrizzani posted a tweet questioning the legality of the relationship. ‘We have our own problems but we should play in a fair competition,’ the Italian wrote. ‘Let one team owned by a fund whom has shares in the biggest players’ agency with evident benefits. Why the other 23 teams can’t have same treatment?’ First-half headers from Romain Saiss and Willy Boly and a second-half lob from Bournemouth loanee Benik Afobe saw the visitors outclass Leeds. Wolves’ ownership structure is set to be discussed by the eFL today. Leeds, Aston Villa and Derby are thought to have raised concerns. Regardless, promotion looks inevitable for the big spenders from the Black Country, who brushed aside worries over recent form in a match they dominated from start to finish to take them 10 clear of third-placed Villa, who they play on Saturday. ‘I don’t care,’ said a delighted Nuno when told of Radrizzani’s comments. ‘It was a very good performance. This is the way.’ Mid-table Leeds, under new boss Paul heckingbottom, are set for yet another year in the Championship and there was evidence of forward planning in the team selection with the former Barnsley boss bringing in young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell for the erratic Felix Wiedwald. had it not been for the 21-year-old, who pulled off a series of superb stops, it could have been a cricket score. ‘he was one of the positives,’ said heckingbottom. ‘Thrown in at the deep end against top of the league. he can be pleased with himself.’ When asked for his thoughts on the Wolves model, heckingbottom was at his blunt Yorkshire best. ‘I don’t pay any attention,’ he said. Yesterday Wolves announced a pre-tax loss of £23million for 2016-17, their first season under their current owners. With further investment this year, the expensive raffle ticket has been bought. It looks like it is about to be pulled from the jar.