Wolves trio put the bite on Saints
THREE points for Bruno Lage’s side thanks to goals from a trio whose presence on the scoresheet would have been a more than welcome sight for everyone connected with Wolves.
Raul Jimenez ended his seven-game goal drought to open the scoring, captain Conor Coady added a second with his first league goal at the ground, then Adama Traore sealed victory with his first strike of the season.
Lage’s side are now four unbeaten in the league, winning three of them and up to eighth. He said: ‘It was a good result against a good team. The goals are important for Raul, for Coady, for Adama.
‘We talked before. I was worried that we don’t create chances but we created a lot of chances. If you are creating chances the goals will come and here we are after the last two games, we’ve scored six goals.’
Southampton’s goal, a 13th Premier League free-kick from James Ward-Prowse, deserved more than to come in a losing cause. Known for bending his set-pieces over the wall, he simply ran up and thumped his second-half effort, sending it swerving away from Jose Sa and into the top corner.
‘Prowsey’s free-kick is world class,’ Hasenhuttl said of his captain, whose Premier League free-kick record is only bettered by David Beckham with 18.
‘I’ve seen a lot of good ones but this is by far the best one I’ve seen from him. Unbelievable against this goalkeeper, who is one of the best in the league.’
Southampton racked up the corners. They are opportunities, especially with Ward-Prowse standing over them but Wolves, who included debutant Toti Gomes in their backline, defended well.
Toti, handed a surprise bow by Lage following his recall from a loan at Grasshoppers, acquitted himself impressively all game.
In fact, while Premier League games have been called off in questionable circumstances Wolves, to their credit, played on despite being depleted and having two goalkeepers and a number of untried youngsters on the bench.
The opener was not without an element of controversy. Referee Michael Salisbury, who had already angered the home crowd with some of his decisions, did so again when he missed Jan Bednarek wiping out Rayan Ait-Nouri in the box at first.
VAR Robert Jones watched multiple replays before advising Salisbury to review the incident and he eventually pointed to the spot. Jimenez did the honours, as he does against Southampton.
Jimenez had not scored since November so a game against Southampton was exactly what he needed. When he faces them he tends to find the net and his cool penalty made if five goals in five games for the Mexican against the south coast side.
But they should have been level at the break. Sa produced a flying point-blank save to push away Mohammed Salisu’s header and then a more routine one soon after from the defender. In between, Nathan Tella flicked Romain Perraud’s cross over the bar.
Given Salisbury’s eventual first-half decision, Southampton were angered they were not awarded a penalty when Leander Dendoncker missed a clearance and ended up kicking Oriol Romeu. ‘VAR checked it and says he doesn’t have to look. If he looks I’m sure he gives a penalty,’ said Hasenhuttl.
Wolves capitalised on that let off just before the hour. Ait-Nouri’s free-kick tempted Fraser Forster to venture way off his line but he misjudged the flight of the ball. Max Kilman headed the ball over the stranded Forster and against the post but Coady was quickest to nod the ball in.
That should have been game over especially when Hasenhuttl’s changes failed to have the desired impact. But Ward-Prowse set up a thrilling finale with his free-kick and Perraud hit the woodwork with a header when he should have scored.
Wolves then grabbed a third on the break when Salisbury ignored Southampton’s appeals for a foul on Lyanco and Traore beat Salisu before slipping the ball home.