NUNO & CO SAISS THE INITIATIVE
Wolves so fast out of the blocks after their mini break between seasons
SO much for Wolves suffering from their shortest pre-season after their longest campaign.
Despite only returning to training on September 4, they exploded from the starting blocks to make a flying start to the new season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side showed no tiredness, even though their marathon previous season lasted 383 days and 59 games, as they scored twice in the first six minutes at Bramall Lane.
It was the ideal way for them to celebrate Nuno’s new three-year deal and they are intent on building on the success the Portuguese has already enjoyed at Molineux.
Raul Jimenez led the lightning charge, celebrating a ton of appearances – fittingly on a former cricket ground – by opening the scoring with his 45th Wolves goal.
Jimenez was unplayable, and Sheffield United could cope with the aerial threat of defender Romain Saiss, who headed the second.
Mexico striker Jimenez, who is one of the finest No.9s in the Premier League, might have had more but missed another chance and headed a third against a post.
The Blades did not defend like the team which conceded just 39 goals last season, a record for a side promoted to the Premier League.
They improved markedly after the interval when John Fleck hit the post but they need to prove they are not suffering from the dreaded second-season syndrome.
The match was barely two minutes old when Wolves broke through Daniel Podence on the left.
The winger skipped past John Lundstram’s challenge before picking out Jimenez in the middle, who scored with a beautifully cushioned shot past Aaron Ramsdale.
Jimenez was denied a second by Ramsdale on his second debut for the Blades as the England Under-21 keeper touched his powerful shot over the bar.
Wolves caught United napping from the resultant corner when Pedro Neto hit an outswinger to the penalty spot, where Saiss powered home a header.
Chris Wilder’s men recovered well from the opening blitz and began to put the visitors under pressure.
They were better still after the break as Oli McBurnie played Enda Stevens through on the left, but t the Irishman blazed wide. Lundstram tram then set up Fleck to drive against st the upright with Patricio beaten, and George Baldock’s follow-up was then deflected wide.
United were still suspect at the he back and Saiss went close again, , before Ramsdale touched another effort on to a post. Then it was Jimenez’s nezs turn to be frustrated by the woodwork.
Saiss crowned his fine display by nodding McBurn ie ’s header off the line to deny the Blades an injurytime consolation.