JOTA HOT TO TROTA
Wolves hero faster than Ronaldo to hit hat-trick mark
By SWEEPING in a dramatic stoppage-time winner over Leicest e r, diogo Jota became the second Portuguese player to score a Premier League hat-trick. It says something about his promise that he has done so at a younger age than the first, Cristiano Ronaldo.
While the former Manchester United forward was also 22 when he struck three times against Newcastle in January 2008, he was 295 days older than Jota.
Ronaldo’s scoring rate far exceeds what Jota has attained so far, but the comparison provides neat context for a player who is beginning to get a grip of the top flight.
Jota was instrumental in Wolves gaining promotion, scoring consistently throughout last season, 17 times in total. But before Christmas he had gone 13 games without a goal.
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo moved to a system of two up top, rather than a front three with wingers, bringing Jota closer to the box and producing a blossoming partnership with Raul Jimenez.
The pair work well together and their understanding was clear in that 93rd-minute goal to earn the 4-3 win, with Jota peeling off to the far post, ready for Jimenez’s low cross.
It was Jota’s fifth goal in five Premier League matches since opening his account in december and meant he became the first Wolves player to score a top-flight hat-trick since John Richards in october 1977, also against Leicester.
‘yes, it is special,’ Jota said. ‘It was an unbelievable game and fortunately for us we scored the last goal and we won.
‘I had a few problems in preseason and I was struggling to get fit. When I started to feel really well on the pitch, I got injured again. you need to be strong. you know you are able to do more but you just can’t.
‘It has not been an easy season for me, but this was one of the greatest days of my life.’ Jota’s finishing was pinpoint, his first a volley from Joao Moutinho’s cross, his second an excellent chest and firm shot from Ruben Neves’s glorious long pass.
Neves and Jota are good friends. ‘I think we trust each other,’ Jota said. ‘We all know his ability, so we believe the ball is going to be there and we just have to run.’ Nuno could not contain his ecstasy at Jota’s third, stepping on to the pitch to celebrate and in return being sent to the stands by referee Christopher Kavanagh. The Fa are expected to act. a fine matching Jurgen Klopp’s £8,000 penalty for the same offence is possible.
Jota said: ‘I was down on the pitch celebrating and I heard something. I thought, “Who is this guy?” Then I saw him get up and run away. He couldn’t control his emotions.’
The result increases the scrutiny on Leicester’s Claude Puel, who has lost four of his last five games and faces Liverpool, Manchester United and Spurs next. asked about his position, Puel said: ‘It’s not my concern. My concern is to keep my focus with my players and my team, so that they can play with consistency.’
demarai Gray added: ‘It’s football, there’s always pressure.’