Nuno tells critics to rest easy now
COMEBACK WIN VINDICATES CHANGES
WOLVES manager Nuno Espirito Santo insisted he knows best after exorcising the demons of last week’s lame FA Cup exit to Southampton.
The Molineux men were back at full strength and it showed in a devastating comeback victory.
Goals from Ruben Neves, with a penalty controversially awarded for handball, and Pedro Neto sealed the win.
Nuno responded to flak from supporters as he made six changes and brought back players rested for last week’s game. He said: “I respect the opinions of fans but, though they are aware of some things, they are not totally aware of everything.
“There are many things to consider picking the team and we have to look at the big picture. If players are at the limits of fitness and could be in danger, you have to take account of that.
“Some players got minutes on Thursday that will be important to us this season. It is not about any one match, not today, not the FA Cup, but the whole season.
“Our standards are very high and our players are very talented. It was a great goal and a beautiful moment from Pedro.” Saints had opened the scoring through a Danny Ings wonder goal. Stuart Armstrong skipped clear and from his beautifully flighted cut-back Ings thumped a superb volley.
Saints looked comfortable until Neves’s 53rd-minute penalty, given against Ryan Bertrand for handball. Bertrand had turned away from Nelson Semedo just a couple of yards away. But when the cross hit his hand, referee Graham Scott pointed to the spot and the decision was confirmed byVAR. Neto then scored the goal that completed the comeback after 66 minutes. Drifting out wide near the goalline on the right, he made a monkey out of JannikVestergaard, getting past the defender before curling his shot in from a tight angle.
Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio saved from James Ward-Prowse, though the flag had gone up, but that was as close as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints side would get to an equaliser.
SOUTHAMPTON (4-3-3): McCarthy 6; Walker-Peters 7 (Salisu 72), Bednarek 7, Vestergaard 5, Bertrand 6; WardProwse 7, Romeu 6, Armstrong 7 (Adams 68, 6); Redmond 7, Ings 7, Minamino 5 (Djenepo 61, 6). Goal: Ings 25
WOLVES (3-4-3): Patricio 6; Dendoncker 6, Coady 6, Saiss 6; Semedo 6, Neves 6, Moutinho 8, Otto 6 (Marcal 69, 6); Traore 5, Jose 6 (Silva 88), Neto 7 (Kilman 90). Goals: Neves 53 pen, Neto 66.