Santo slams Wolves after Palace defeat
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo has challenged his Wolves players to improve fast after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace to extend their winless Premier League run to eight games.
It took them until the 56th minute to have a shot on target at Selhurst Park and although new signing Willian Jose looked sharp on his full debut, Wolves have slumped to 14th after Ebere Eze’s winner for Palace and have Arsenal and Leicester up next.
“A lot of things are missing,” Nuno said. “Better performances, better decisions, what is our identity. Everything must be faster.
“It is not about individuals, it is about all of us and we must commit more to face the challenge we have in front of us.
“We have a big challenge and we have to improve and improve fast.”
Eze’s fierce strike on the hour mark proved too hot for Rui Patricio to handle and saw the hosts move 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
Boss Roy Hodgson said: “It was a big one. We have been stuck on 23 points or close to 23 points for a little while so it was good to move away from that total.
“To beat them and take three points from them was very important.”
On Eze, Hodgson added: “I think he is a player who will improve all the team.
“Most importantly of all he is getting used to the intensity of the Premier League and all the other things that the Premier League requires from you.”
Sam Allardyce revealed his frustration after West Brom’s point against relegation rivals Fulham.
Ivan Cavaleiro’s late header earned the Cottagers a 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns.
Kyle Bartley and Matheus Pereira had cancelled out Bobby Decordova-reid’s opener after Fulham threatened to run riot in the first half.
Decordova-reid also hit a post, but Albion improved after the break, although Allardyce feels it was a missed chance with the second-bottom Baggies six points from safety.
He said: “We should have won it. We cannot expect to score three goals every time to win it.it came after a spirited, honest, fightback from the players to get themselves back in the game.“
Fulham boss Scott Parker said: “The game should have been out of sight at half-time. We were fantastic.
“We had some big chances and it should have been done. We’re disappointed it’s not three points, but we’ll keep moving.”