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Tag: Wolves

  • Wolves condemn Arsenal to worst league start

    Wolves condemn Arsenal to worst league start

    Wolves recovered from a nasty head injury to top scorer Raul Jimenez to secure their first win at Arsenal since 1979 and condemn their hosts to their worst Premier League start after 10 games.

    Mexico striker Jimenez had come off worse in a sickening clash of heads with Gunners defender David Luiz after an Arsenal corner in the opening exchanges and was treated on field for 10 minutes before being taken to hospital.

    A game between two of the Premier League’s lowest-scoring sides was understandably flat after that but it came to life when Pedro Neto slotted home from close range after Leandro Dendoncker had headed Adama Traore’s teasing cross against the bar midway through the first half.

    Gabriel equalised for the hosts with a thumping header from a Willian cross just three minutes later but Wolves were the better side throughout and re-established their lead when Daniel Podence cleverly converted after keeper Bernd Leno fumbled Neto’s drive.

    Arsenal rarely threatened, with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang little more than a spectator at times, and boss Mikel Arteta has much to ponder with his side languishing in 14th place in the Premier League after 10 matches.

    Wolves, on the other hand, are up to sixth and sit just four points off the summit in an increasingly congested top half of the table.

    BBC

  • Wolves beat Crystal Palace to climb to third in EPL

    Wolves beat Crystal Palace to climb to third in EPL

    Wolverhampton Wanderers moved up to third in the English Premier League (EPL) after beating Crystal Palace 2-0 on Friday.

    It was all thanks to goals from on-loan teenage wingback Rayan Ait-Nouri and Daniel Podence.

    France under-21 international Ait-Nouri gave the hosts the lead in the 18th minute after latching on to a clearance and driving a bouncing shot into the far corner.

    It was his first goal in senior football on his Premier League debut.

    Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker then hit the post with a powerful shot before Portuguese winger Podence made it 2-0.

    He met Pedro Neto’s cross from the right with a superb cushioned volley in the 27th minute.

    Crystal Palace had several VAR decisions go against them, with a Michy Batshuayi goal disallowed and a penalty kick award overturned, both for offside.

    Wolves substitute Adama Traore had a great chance to put the game out of reach in the 83rd minute.

    But he fired a powerful shot straight at CrystalPalace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita who parried it away to safety.

    Crystal Palace suffered a further setback when Luka Milivojevic was given his marching orders in the 87th minute after a review showed a nasty foul on Joao Moutinho.

    The win puts Wolves on 13 points from seven games.

    They trail leaders Everton and second-placed Liverpool on goal difference.

    Crystal Palace are ninth on 10 points.

    Podence, whose only other league goal for Wolves also came at home to Crystal Palace, praised fellow goalscorer Ait-Nouri.

    The player joined on a season-long loan, with the Midlands club having an option to buy, from Ligue 1 Angers earlier this month.

    “He has a great left foot. He has a lot of quality.

    “He showed everyone what he can do (and) we are here to help him,” Podence said, adding that Wolves would not be getting carried away by their lofty league position.

    “We play game-by-game. We are improving since the first game. We had a difficult pre-season. We can do better, and we are trying to be perfect,” he added.

  • Why I buy Portuguese players – Wolves boss Nuno

    Why I buy Portuguese players – Wolves boss Nuno

    Wolves boss Nuno has explained why he has a heavily Portuguese-influenced squad.

    The manager insists at Wolves “there are no passports”.

    “Because they are good players,” he said of signing so many Portuguese.

    “We have to be aware that young players, regardless of nationality, when they come to a new country, have to be supported.

    “Youth always bring new things. But mixing talent with experience is what can make a team better.”

  • EPL: Raul closer to Man Utd move

    EPL: Raul closer to Man Utd move

    Manchester United are a step away from signing Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, according to Portuguese media sources.

    A Bola and RTP report that Wolves are close to sealing a deal for Braga forward Paulinho as a replacement for the Mexican who is described as ‘on his way to Manchester United’.

    Paulinho, who has scored 23 times this season – including against Wolves in that dramatic 3-3 draw in the Europa League – is set to leave the club in the transfer window and has attracted interest from across the continent.

    The Portuguese striker, 27, has Jorge Mendes for an agent and he is looking to move his client on – and that could lead him to Molineux.

    Paulinho, formerly of Gil Vicente, currently has three more years left on his contract with Braga and would cost any potential suitors up to £30m.

    Meanwhile, Wolves are demanding £70m to sell Raul to United this summer.

  • Dendoncker strike sends Wolves above Man Utd

    Wolves continued their charge for a Premier League top-four finish as Leander Dendoncker’s second-half strike earned them victory at under-pressure Aston Villa.

    The visitors, surprisingly, only managed two efforts on goal but they made it count with their second when the Belgium midfielder made a foray forward before striking low past Orjan Nyland.

    It is now three wins out of three following the restart and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are fifth on 52 points with Chelsea, above them on 54, in their sights.

    As for Dean Smith’s men, they remain in 19th with 27 points. A draw could have lifted them out of the bottom three, which was as much as they looked like achieving at Villa Park.

    Jack Grealish’s first-half low, driven effort was their only shot on target.

    BBC

  • Wolves defeat 10-man Manchester City

    Wolverhampton Wanderers dealt another blow to defending champions Manchester City’s hope of catching up with Liverpool, when they defeated them 3-2 at Molineux Stadium Friday night.

    Wolves came from behind to beat the defending champions, after City led with a brace by Raheem Sterling, despite their keeper Ederson being sent off in the 12th minute for fouling Diogo Jota right in the box. Referee Martin Atkinson did not hesitate to show Ederson the red card.

    Despite being down to 10 men, City tried to take the game to Wolves defence and they were soon compensated with a penalty awarded them in the 25th minute, after Riyad Mahrez was brought down in the Wolves box. A VAR check endorsed the penalty, but Sterling not only took it twice, but scored on a rebound.

    Sterling recorded a second goal, five minutes after resumption in the second half. But another five minuets after, Wolves revival began, first with a goal by Adama Traore.

    Raul Jimenez added a second in the 82nd minute to level up and in the 89th minute, Matt Doherty found the winner, with an assist by Jimenez.

    The result means Man City remain in third place, 14 points behind leaders Liverpool.

    Wolves, who have completed the league double over Man City, move up to fifth with 30 points from 19 matches.

    Pep Guardiola now agrees it is becoming difficult to catch up with Liverpool, who still have a game in hand.

    Liverpool are now leading them by 14 points. Leicester trail Liverpool by 13 points.

    “It is a big gap for a long time. It’s not a race if you think about it,” Guardiola said.

    “I have been asked the question for a long time and it is the same answer. It’s not realistic to think about the title race.

    “We have to think of the next game and about winning our games.”

    Wolves, flying high in fifth place, have contributed to City’s downfall more than most and, after winning 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in October, they celebrated a top-flight double over the Manchester club for the first time since 1960-61.

    The only blemish for Wolves were the missiles thrown from the stands when City celebrated their second goal, an incident that prompted the Football Association to launch an investigation.

  • Guardiola concedes defeat, says title race is over

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola conceded the Premier League title race is over after the reigning champions lost 3-2 at Wolves on Friday.

    City are third in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Liverpool and a point below Leicester City.

    Asked if the title race is over, Guardiola told BBC “The advantage is too big, yes.”

    City have lost five Premier League games this season, one more than in the whole of the 2018-19 campaign.

    They have also played a game more than Liverpool, who have dropped only two points this season, are on a run – stretching back to March – of 26 wins from 27 league games and are two matches away from going a full year unbeaten in the top flight.

    “It’s unrealistic to think about Liverpool, we think about Leicester,” Guardiola added. “We have the chance to recover second place. I know the quality of my team but that’s the situation.”

    Winger Bernardo Silva added: “It is a really bad situation for us. A frustrating first half of the season. Nobody expected us to be this far away from Liverpool at this halfway point.

    “We have to continue now. We know that winning the title is very complicated. I wouldn’t say impossible but very difficult.”

  • EPL: Mourinho revives Tottenham to move fifth

    Jan Vertonghen scored a dramatic late winner as Tottenham ended Wolves’ 11-match unbeaten Premier League run to narrow the gap on the top four with victory at Molineux.

    Vertonghen headed in from a corner in injury time, after Wolves’ relentless approach had been rewarded as Adama Traore thumped in a deserved equaliser from the edge of the box midway through the second half.

    Following a breathless opening period, Lucas Moura’s mazy run and exquisite finish into the roof of the net had put Tottenham ahead after eight minutes.

    Spurs had to withstand intense pressure as Wolves chased an equaliser, but it was they who went closest before half-time as Eric Dier struck the post from Dele Alli’s delightful, dinked pass.

    Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga produced an excellent save from Romain Saiss’ header in the closing stages as Jose Mourinho’s visitors hung on, before Vertonghen’s decisive goal.

    Victory sees Tottenham climb above Wolves to fifth, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who they face next Sunday.

  • Europa: Substitute Jota scores 11-minute hat trick in Wolves victory

    Wolves were denied top spot in their Europa League group, despite substitute Diogo Jota’s 11-minute hat-trick inspiring victory over Besiktas.

    After a drab first half, Jota came on as a 56th-minute substitute and headed in 72 seconds later to lift Molineux.

    He added a second six minutes later, reacting sharply to turn in when Leander Dendoncker’s shot hit the post before the Belgian headed in a third.

    Jota fired in a fourth but Braga won 4-2 at Slovan Bratislava to top Group K.

    The Portuguese side, who would not have topped the group if they failed to win after Wolves took control against Besiktas, were trailing 2-1 after 70 minutes before turning the match back in their favour.

    Wolves were already assured of progressing whatever happened in the final round of group matches and go into Monday’s draw for the knockout stage as one of the 12 runners-up.

  • Wolves striker to play for Nigeria

    Wolves striker to play for Nigeria

    Wolves striker, Bright Enobakhare has decided to play for Nigeria.

    The 21-year-old has confirmed he has pledged his international future to the Super Eagles, according to Allnigeriasoccer.

    Enobakhare wants to be part of coach, Imama Amapakabo’s Under 23 Dream Team VII if they qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

    The youngster, who was born in Benin City, moved to Birmingham at the age of fifteen.

    He is eligible to represent England having spent more than five years in the country.

    Enobakhare made his professional debut for Wolves at the age of 17, two years after he joined the club from Northfield Town Juniors.

    He also played for League One side, Coventry City on loan last season.