Nuno delighted as Cavaleiro approach blunts Saints threat
IVAN CAVALEIRO had to wait seven weeks for his Premier League debut but needed just 94 seconds to make the crucial contribution that turned this game against Southampton.
As first touches in the top flight go, burying a finish into the roof of the net ranks pretty highly and as Southampton had looked the likelier to score at that stage its importance was even greater.
Adama Traore went on one of those runs of his that can either cause devastation or confusion and this time the result was the former. He burst down the right and picked out Raul Jimenez, who teed up Cavaleiro.
The Portuguese winger had been out with a back injury but no rustiness could be detected in his first-time shot past Alex McCarthy. He scored nine Championship goals last season and his finishing ability is invaluable to Wolves.
McCarthy had to produce a brilliant save to Jimenez’s header before Wolves made victory certain with three minutes left.
Matt Doherty capped a fine display by bulldozing his way into the box and finding Jonny Otto, who took one touch to go past Wesley Hoedt then sent his finish between McCarthy’s legs.
‘Nuno’s the special one,’ sang their fans, in reference to Wolves moving above Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo certainly has something. His team are unbeaten in five matches and both his substitutes made an impact. ‘It was a difficult game,’ Nuno said.
‘Southampton created problems. But we know we are able of adapting to any scenario.
‘We are happy, knowing that it’s only the start. There’s a long way to go. We have to improve. Southampton really put us against the ropes but we hung on.’
Once again Doherty was key for Wolves and Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane, in the stands, cannot have failed to take note of the trouble he caused Ryan Bertrand.
One cross enabled Otto to curl a firm effort that McCarthy punched away and before half-time Doherty snapped in a low cross for Jimenez to clip a powerful first-time shot to test the keeper.
In the second half Southampton got hold of the ball more and in doing so spread tension around Molineux.
The sense of anxiety increased when Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio spilled a routine freekick from Jannik Vestergaard, gathering at the second attempt and Stuart Armstrong tested Patricio with a close-range shot.
Mark Hughes is searching for more ‘devilment’ from his team. ‘Frustration is the emotion we are feeling,’ he said. ‘You can stick with individuals for so long but you might have to make a change to stimulate the group.’