Jimenez row overshadows Wolves win
WOLVES were frustrated at Mexico’s decision to name star striker Raul Jimenez on the bench for their pre-World Cup friendly against Iraq last night. Speaking after this Carabao Cup win over Leeds, caretaker boss Steve Davis said the club were ‘unhappy’ after allowing Jimenez to join up. Though the Mexican FA contacted Wolves to assure them they had no intention of playing Jimenez, who has a groin injury, the club believe the matter could have been handled better.
‘He was not ready to play,’ confirmed Davis, whose final match before handing over to Julen Lopetegui will be against Arsenal on Saturday.
The Spaniard’s first game will be
in the last 16 of this competition after substitute Boubacar Traore’s late winner. Leeds assistant boss Rene Maric defended his club’s decision to rest key players and field four debutants, spurning the chance of a long cup run given the big-name casualties last night. He said: ‘We have no regrets. You have to look at our games recently — intense matches.’ Lopetegui’s coaching team were watching from the stands at Molineux. Despite Wolves’ struggles in the league, progress in this competition at least gives Lopetegui something to build from.
Jesse Marsch’s Leeds created the better chances and were unlucky not to take this one to penalties. But Wolves will take anything they can and made their mark six minutes from time when Daniel Podence squared for fellow substitute Traore, who shot home from 20 yards. WOLVES (4-2-3-1): Sarkic 6.5; Jonny 6 (Lembikisa 82min), Collins 6.5, Kilman 6.5, Ait-Nouri 7; Hodge 6.5, Neves 6.5 (Moutinho 72, 6); A Traore 6 ( B TRAORE 73, 7.5), Ronan 6.5 (Podence 65, 7), Guedes 6 (Campbell 66, 6); Hwang 6. Scorer: B Traore 85.
Booked: None. Manager: Steve Davis 6. LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1): Robles 6.5; Ayling 6, Llorente 6.5, Hjelde 6.5, Firpo 6; Klich 6, Gyabi 6.5; Harrison 7, Perkins 6.5 (Gnonto 71, 6), Joseph 6; Gelhardt 6 (Greenwood 54, 6). Booked: None. Manager: Jesse Marsch 6. Referee: Andre Marriner 6.
Attendance: 24,246.