Jimenez and Traore link up again to keep Wolves in hunt
Raul Jimenez is dreaming big after his irresistible partnership with Adama Traore worked once again to give Wolves hope of Champions League qualification.
While the focus has been on Manchester United and Tottenham challenging Chelsea for fourth place, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have quietly put themselves in position for a final push.
In Jimenez and Traore they have attackers who have set each other up 10 times this season, the most productive pairing in the division. The winner was a replica of the goal against West Ham at the weekend, with Traore’s cross headed powerfully home by the Mexican.
“We have to dream big and keep going like this,” Jimenez said. “It’s amazing, sometimes it works very well with your team-mates. I’m happy to be scoring and for another goal. We have to give all we have.”
Wolves started their campaign exactly 11 months ago and it has allowed this partnership to develop, adding millions to the pair’s value, although they could yet be at Europe’s top table.
As for Bournemouth, they missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since February and it will be a worry to Eddie Howe that his team created so little in their sixth match without a victory.
“We’re frustrated as we gave everything to the game,” Howe said. “We are creating nowhere near enough and that will hurt us most. Ultimately that has cost us the game. It’s very tight where we are and it could possibly go to the wire.”
To make matters worse, Callum Wilson misses next week’s clash with Newcastle after his challenge on Rui Patricio earned his 10th yellow card of the campaign. “He had to go for the challenge,” Howe said.
It was the type of attritional match that looked right at home behind closed doors. The fans did not miss much other than some clumsy challenges and a first 45 minutes in which neither goalkeeper made a save.
Diogo Jota forced the first save of
the match seven minutes into the second half when he made a yard of room in the penalty area before angling his finish towards the top corner, with Aaron Ramsdale tipping over at his near post.
Traore and Jimenez combined on the hour mark. Traore skipped around Adam Smith before delivering his cross, with Jimenez squeezing between Steve Cook and Jack Stacey to head powerfully home.
“We are working on the training ground,” Traore said. “I try to speak to him [Jimenez] about movement and what is the best position. The players are improving, if Manchester United are fifth or wherever, we will focus on us.”
Wolves (3-4-3) Rui Patricio 6; Boly 7, Coady 7, Saiss 6; Doherty 6, Neves 6, Moutinho 7 (Gibbs-white 90), Jonny 6; Jota 7 (Neto 62), Jimenez 7 (Podence 90), Traore 7 (Dendoncker 73). Subs Ruddy (g), Jordao, Vinagre, Kilman, Buur. Booked Saiss, Neves, Moutinho.
Bournemouth (4-4-1-1) Ramsdale 6; Stacey 5 (Kelly 82), S Cook 5, Ake 6, Smith 5; Lerma 5 (Solanke 66), Stanislas 5 (Danjuma 66), Billing 5 (Gosling 50), L Cook 6; Brooks 6 (H Wilson 66); C Wilson 5. Subs Boruc (g), Surman, Rico, Mepham. Booked S Cook, Brooks, C Wilson.
Referee Michael Oliver (Northumberland).