Neves produces flash of class to heap pressure on Carvalhal
Carlos Carvalhal insisted injuries were to blame after another defeat for his Sheffield Wednesday team led to a “Carlos Out” banner being unveiled by home fans close to the full-time whistle.
The frustrated Portuguese was serving a one-match touchline ban, so he looked on helplessly as his compatriot, Nuno Espirito Santo, guided Wolves to a seven-point lead at the top of the Championship. Another of Carvalhal’s countrymen, Ruben Neves, produced the decisive moment of quality, finishing expertly from 20 yards
While Nuno continues to churn out results – even when his team are not at their fluent best – Carvalhal ‘s side remain adrift of the play-off places. His misery was compounded when Morgan Fox was sent off for a second yellow card late on.
The Yorkshire club’s winless run now stands at six matches, meaning that Carvalhal will have to rely on the strength of his relationship with owner Dejphon Chansiri.
“I have good relations with the chairman,” said Carvalhal. “It’s normal [for fans to be unhappy] when we don’t win. I’m doing my work in the best way that I know. This season, we have been losing players and important players.”
Wolves, in contrast, have won four away matches in a row without conceding and have already passed the 50-point mark after 22 games.
Nuno said: “I make sure we don’t take our position for granted. I look in their eyes and what I see is ambition to be better and stronger.”
Wednesday looked solid enough in the early stages, as Adam Reach sliced wide and Joost van Aken had a header saved. They fell behind after a tense passage of play culminated in Jacob Butterfield putting in a robust challenge on Ivan Cavaleiro, which led to a free-kick.
There were doubts over whether it should have been awarded, though. When asked about it, Carvalhal replied: “You ask me because you know it was not a free-kick. When teams are in first place, like Wolves, they have this kind of luck.”
Cavaleiro delivered it, Willy Boly headed the ball back, and Neves fired in. Wednesday worked hard to recover and substitute Lucas Joao headed over with his first touch. The home side’s hopes faded when Fox received his marching orders. Sheffield Wednesday