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Tag: Wolves

  • Sheffield United relegated from Premier League

    Sheffield United relegated from Premier League

    Sheffield United’s miserable season was capped after relegation was finally confirmed following a 0-1 defeat at Wolves.

    The rock-bottom Blades will play in the Sky Bet Championship next term after Willian Jose’s second-half winner.

    Under caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom, Sheffield United are 19 points from safety with six games remaining and have won just four times all season.

    The Blades have lost 26 of their 32 games, having finished ninth last term, with their two-year stay in the Premier League over.

    They rarely looked like earning a stay of execution, although Enda Stevens was denied by Rui Patricio.

    Mid-table Wolves also struggled to find serious momentum in a forgettable game, but Oliver Norwood did head Willy Boly’s fortunate first-half effort off the line.

    Newcastle United’s late win over West Ham earlier in the day had left Sheffield United needing to avoid defeat to delay their inevitable return to the second tier.

    There was little intensity from the visitors in a drab first half though, and Wolves came closest to an opener after 21 minutes.

    Rayan Ait-Nouri’s corner-kick was chested down by Jose and John Egan’s clearance ricochet off Boly’s heel to loop towards goal.

    But a combination of Norwood and the crossbar kept the ball out.

    Daniel Podence’s half-volley flew over after half an hour but Wolves —— firmly stuck in mid-table —— failed to convince they would break the monotony.

    The biggest flashpoint came nine minutes before the break when Ait-Nouri was lucky to avoid a red card.

    The defender landed on Rhian Brewster’s ankle when trying to shield the ball but VAR did not intervene and it was Brewster who was booked for the challenge.

    The game meandered into the break and there was nothing to suggest the scoreline would change during a low-key start to the second half.

    Yet, belatedly, Sheffield United did conjure their first chance of the game after 59 minutes —— only for it to lead to Wolves’ winner.

    Brewster’s low cross found the unmarked Stevens and his low strike was blocked by Nelson Semedo.

    Immediately, Wolves broke with Semedo and Podence combining to send Traore away.

    He then breezed past Egan for Jose to sweep in his first Wolves goal from six yards.

    Stevens’ quick turn and shot forced a good save from Rui Patricio as Sheffield United woke up but it was too late.

    Aaron Ramsdale denied Romain Saiss from point-blank range with seven minutes left.

    Fabio Silva then shot straight at the goalkeeper and Traore sliced wide on the break as time ran out on Sheffield United’s top-flight stay.

  • Wolves among best goals I’ve scored – Jesse Lingard

    Wolves among best goals I’ve scored – Jesse Lingard

    West Ham midfielder Jesse Lingard is proud of last Monday’s goal in victory at Wolves.

    On Monday, he was at his best yet again to lead West Ham to a 3-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he scored a sensational individual goal before playing his part in the second for Pablo Fornals with an audacious piece of skill, then laying on the third for Jarrod Bowen with a perfectly weighted pass.

    “We’re in really good spirits at the moment – the whole team is, to be honest,” he told the club’s website. “It was a good victory and obviously we’re in the top four and we want to maintain that position now.

    “It’s up with the best goals I’ve ever scored. It’s similar to a goal I scored against Watford for Manchester United, but I’d say it’s definitely up there.

    “With the spin for Pablo’s goal, it was just using my initiative because the ball was going out of play and I just had to get their as quickly as I could, and by the time I got there I knew the defender was there, so I knew I had to spin immediately.

    “We’re playing with confidence and winning games and when you’re doing that, things like that will come, and thankfully it came to me.”

  • Why we lost against Wolves – Arteta

    Why we lost against Wolves – Arteta

    Mikel Arteta was left to chew on an astonishing sequence of events as Arsenal lost to Wolves after dominating so much of the game.

    Nicolas Pepe fired Arsenal ahead, and as VAR and the woodwork deprived Arsenal of a more commanding lead before David Luiz was sent off on the stroke of half-time.

    Wolves equalised from the resulting penalty and went on to win the match.

    “I think with the way we played in the first half, we should have been three or four goals up,” Arteta said in his post-match interview.

    “We really dominated the game, we created some big chances that we could not score. We hit the post, hit the bar, some big saves. Then the turning point was when David got sent off. It was 1-0 just before half-time, we go to 10 men, concede a goal, and then it’s a mountain to climb.”

    Bernd Leno’s sending off removed any lingering hopes of a fightback, but Arteta tried to lift his players after the match.

    “I told them that I’m so proud of them because of the way they reacted in the second half, the way they tried to come out and still tried to win the game, it was magnificent,” he said.

    “At half-time they were all really animated and encouraging each other to rebuild as a team and try to still win it. Even with nine players, the way they tried was incredible.”

  • Nine-man Arsenal squad slump to defeat by Wolves

    Nine-man Arsenal squad slump to defeat by Wolves

    Arsenal’s ill-discipline cost Mikel Arteta’s men again as the nine-man Gunners were beaten 2-1 at Wolves on Tuesday to halt their charge towards the Premier League’s top four.

    A seven-game unbeaten league run had propelled Arsenal back into contention for a return to the Champions League next season and they could have moved to within five points of the top four after Nicolas Pepe’s strike opened the scoring at Molineux.

    But David Luiz’s third red card in two seasons as an Arsenal player for clipping Willian Jose on the stroke of half-time turned the game around.

    Ruben Neves converted the resulting penalty before Joao Moutinho’s stunning long-range strike early in the second half put goal-shy Wolves in front.

    Goalkeeper Bernd Leno then rounded off a miserable night for the visitors when he was also dismissed for handling outside his box.

    Arsenal have now been shown nine red cards since Arteta took charge in December 2019, three times more than any other Premier League club.

    A much-needed victory for Wolves ended an eight-game winless run and takes them 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

    Nuno Espirito Santo’s men also completed a first league double over Arsenal in 42 years.

    Wolves’ win at the Emirates in November was bittersweet as they lost talismanic striker Raul Jimenez to a fractured skull.

    The Mexican has not played since and a lack of goals has seen Wolves plummet down the table.

    Another bad night seemed in store for the hosts when Pepe fought his way through two challenges before firing into the far corner on 32 minutes.

    Jose was brought in from Real Sociedad last month to ease the effect of the absence of Jimenez and made his first telling contribution for Wolves when Luiz was harshly adjudged to have tripped the Brazilian as he burst into the penalty area.

    Neves coolly slotted the resulting penalty into the top corner with the final kick of the first half.

    Moutinho then completed the comeback with his first goal at Molineux in three years at the club.

    Leno’s rush of blood to the head 18 minutes from time means he will miss the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

    However, the damage to Arsenal’s chances of Champions League football via the league already looks done as they remain in 10th, eight points adrift of fourth-placed Leicester, having played a game more.

    Sam Allardyce’s record of never being relegated as a Premier League manager is under severe threat after West Brom blew a lead to lose 2-1 at bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.

    Matt Phillips tapped home from close range to give the Baggies the lead shortly before half-time.

    However, the Blades kept their slim chances of survival alive thanks to goals from Jayden Bogle and Billy Sharp.

    Sheffield United close to within a point of West Brom and 10 of survival with just their third league win of the season.

  • No excuses for Wolves’ collapse at Brighton, says Nuno

    No excuses for Wolves’ collapse at Brighton, says Nuno

    Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo was left frustrated after his side let slip a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and said his players paid the price for lack of game management.

    Aaron Connolly gave Brighton an early lead but Romain Saiss levelled with a header before Dan Burn scored an own goal and Ruben Neves converted a penalty to put Wolves in command by halftime.

    But Neal Maupay’s penalty straight after the interval gave Brighton hope and captain Lewis Dunk headed in a Leandro Trossard cross in the 70th minute to help Graham Potter’s side snatch a point.

    “It was mistakes. After a fantastic first half, from the first minute of the second half there’s no explanation,” Nuno told reporters after the game.

    “The first half, every time we attacked, we were dangerous. I felt the game was in our control. It’s just a question of sticking together and I think the team has the ability to do much better.

    “We have to be more responsible. There’s no excuse. As a team, we should have performed better. We give credit to Brighton but I felt it was more about us than our opponent.”

    With Raul Jimenez sidelined for the foreseeable future after he underwent surgery on a fractured skull, Nuno is on the lookout for a new striker and could dip into the January market to sign reinforcements.

    “We have to rebalance our squad in terms of positions we’re missing,” he said. “But we trust the young boys, we try to support them. This is the way we work. We don’t have to panic.”

    The result left Wolves in 13th place on 22 points from 17 games. They face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Friday.

  • Wolves warned of Diego Costa risk

    Wolves warned of Diego Costa risk

    Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has warned Wolves over a move for free agent Diego Costa.

    Released from his Atletico Madrid contract, Costa could now be set to resurrect his career at Wolves, who boast a number of players represented by his agent Jorge Mendes.

    But former Chelsea striker Cascarino believes there are plenty of warning signs with a deal for Costa, warning Wolves they could live to regret their decision.

    Cascarino told TalkSport: “I think it’s a very dangerous fit, if I’m honest. Because of the experience he had at Chelsea and the way he wanted to leave the club, the way he disappeared.

    “Obviously it then turned sour at Atletico and he became a real problem, he played relatively little football this year, he’s only played seven games and got a couple of goals.

    “I don’t know if I could trust him, or trust what he’s going to be like if he came to the football club.

    “If I was getting the Diego Costa who turned up at Chelsea, followed Didier [Drogba], was a real handful – great! The fans loved him at Chelsea, you’d hear his name all around the stadium, he was their favourite player.

    “But the way he handled it, I would be very suspicious of a 32-year-old whose contract has been ripped up.

    “You could argue that Eric Cantona left Leeds United in a very sour way, and Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson got an unbelievable player who played his best football… but I’m not sure Diego Costa has that same mentality.

    “It’s the kind of high risk move that if it comes off you’re a genius, but if it falls flat you’re an idiot for taking him. Nuno would have to handle a very difficult player.

    “If Diego Simone felt Costa still could have done a job for Atletico Madrid, he would have been desperate to keep him.

    “But Atletico are still in the Champions League and they have a chance to win the LaLiga title, Costa wants to rip up his contract and the club has agreed. That rings alarm bells, for me.”

  • Wolves boss Espirito Santo slams referee after Burnley defeat

    Wolves boss Espirito Santo slams referee after Burnley defeat

    Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo could face sanctions from the Premier League after saying the referee in his team’s 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Monday was not good enough for the top flight.

    The Portuguese manager took aim at referee Lee Mason, despite the official giving his side a late penalty, and his words are likely to be reviewed by the league’s disciplinary body.

    “The referee did not have the quality for a Premier League game, this is a problem we know we had with Lee Mason before. It is not about the crucial mistake or decisions, it is about how he handles the game,” said Espirito Santo.

    “The players get nervous, he whistles from the noises from the players. We are talking about the best competition, but he does not have the quality to whistle the game.

    “I just don’t want to see him anymore, I told him I hope he does not whistle a game of ours again. He cannot control the players, the players are constantly arguing. The other referees let the game flow,” he said.

    Burnley manager Sean Dyche was surprised Wolves’ Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho was not sent off after a VAR review of a challenge on Josh Brownhill in the final minutes, but was more supportive of the officials.

    “I’ve no problems with the referees, it is really difficult now. The three most difficult jobs are the two managers and the referee.

    “I don’t think any game is easy for referees at the moment. We all want the decisions of course, it is one of those things,” he said.

  • EPL: El Ghazi’s late penalty help Aston Villa sink Wolves

    Anwar El Ghazi’s last-gasp penalty fired 10-man Aston Villa to a dramatic 1-0 win against, while under-fire Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prepared for a crucial derby against Manchester City on Saturday.

    In the first of the day’s Premier League games, Dutch winger El Ghazi struck from the spot in stoppage-time to lift Villa into eighth place.

    Villa had Douglas Luiz sent off in the final minutes for two bookings after the Brazilian midfielder caught Daniel Podence with an elbow.

    But Nelson Semedo’s foul on John McGinn triggered El Ghazi’s penalty before Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho was dismissed for a second yellow card just moments from full-time in a fractious local derby.

    After two successive defeats, Villa will hope they are back on track with just their second win in six games.

    Villa have won four of their five away league matches this season, while mid-table Wolves have only one win in their last five games.

    With Raul Jimenez out after surgery on the fractured skull he suffered against Arsenal, Wolves handed a first Premier League start to 18-year-old striker Fabio Silva — a club record £35 million ($46 million) signing from Porto in the close-season.

    It was two weeks since Villa last played after the Newcastle match was postponed due to their opponents’ coronavirus outbreak and they took a while to get going as a result.

    Villa appealed for a penalty when the ball glanced off Romain Saiss’ shoulder as he stooped to head clear, but VAR ignored their protests.

  • Liverpool thrash Wolves 4-0 to move second in standings on Premier League table

    Liverpool thrash Wolves 4-0 to move second in standings on Premier League table

    Liverpool celebrated their first appearance in front of their fans as English champions on Sunday by humbling Wolves 4-0 to join Tottenham at the top of the Premier League table.

    Mohamed Salah capitalised on an error by Wolves captain Conor Coady to open the scoring midway through the first half as 2,000 supporters celebrated joyously.

    Georginio Wijnaldum doubled Liverpool’s lead with a wonderful curled finish from distance shortly before the hour mark and Joel Matip put the game beyond Wolves before a late own goal added gloss to the scoreline.

    The comfortable win took Jurgen Klopp’s men to 24 points — behind leaders Spurs on goal difference, with a summit meeting between the two teams on December 16.

    The visitors started brightly and Ruben Neves hit the roof of the net with an early free-kick.

    The lively Sadio Mane had a chance to put Liverpool in front in the 12th minute from an Andy Robertson cross from the left but the Senegal forward could not keep his header on target.

    Both teams looked sharp on the break and stand-in Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was forced to scramble to his right to keep out a cute chipped effort from Daniel Podence.

    But the 2,000 home fans inside Anfield — allowed into the stadium after coronavirus restrictions were eased in certain parts of England — had something to cheer in the 24th minute.

    There did not appear to be much danger when Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson sent a long ball over the top into the Wolves penalty area.

    But Coady, who used to be on Liverpool’s books, got his calculations wrong. The ball came off his chest and Salah nipped in to fire home left-footed.

    Wolves were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of the first half after Mane was adjudged to have fouled Coady.

    But VAR ruled out the spot-kick after the TV replay showed there had been no contact.

    Wolves searched for a way back into the match in the early stages of the second half and Coady found himself in a threatening position in the Liverpool box before Fabinho whipped the ball away.

    Seconds later, Liverpool were charging forward again on the counter-attack, towards the Kop.

    Henderson played a long ball which Wijnaldum collected before producing a measured finish into the top left-hand corner of Rui Patricio’s net.

    Liverpool put the result beyond doubt in the 67th minute when Salah’s inswinging cross was met by Joel Matip from close range.

    By now the home side were in total control, with Salah trying to dance his way through Wolves defenders.

    Liverpool’s fourth goal came when substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold, returning from injury, produced a delicious cross from the right which was turned in by Nelson Semedo for an own goal.

  • Wolves striker Jimenez has surgery on fractured skull

    Wolves striker Jimenez has surgery on fractured skull

    Wolves striker Raul Jimenez has had surgery on a fractured skull suffered in a clash of heads during his side’s Premier League win at Arsenal.

    Sunday’s match at Emirates Stadium was in its early stages when Jimenez and Gunners defender David Luiz accidently collided at an Arsenal corner.

    He was given oxygen on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

    “Raul is comfortable following an operation last night,” Wolves said in a statement.

    “He has since seen his partner Daniela and is now resting. He will remain under observation for a few days while he begins his recovery.

    “The club would like to thank the medical staff at Arsenal, the NHS paramedics, hospital staff and surgeons who, through their skill and early response, were of such help.”

    The game was stopped for around 10 minutes to allow Jimenez, 29, to receive treatment before he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.