2024-25 Season - August - December 2024

Click Here for 2024-25January-May matches

Preliminary fixtures announced Thursday 15th June 2023 9am

London Wolves “Home matches”

Arsenal Bournemouth Brentford Brighton  Fulham Chelski  Crystal Palace  Southampton Tottenham West Ham

FIXTURE CHANGES:

 Chelsea 25 Aug 2pm not tv, Newcastle A now Sun 15 Sep  4:30 Sky, Liverpool H now 5:30pm Sky

Fixture difficulty map by The Premier League click for updates

 

 

Premier League  January-May 2025

20 Monday 6 Jan Forest A   See January 2025 here

19 Sunday 29 Dec Tottenham Hotspur A 3pm  D2-2

D2-2  

Tottenham Hotspur 2 R. Bentancur (12')Goal 12' B. Johnson (45'+3)Goal 45'+3, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2  Hwang Hee-Chan (7')Goal 7' J. Strand Larsen (87')Goal 87'

Assists TH,Pedro Porro (12'), D. Kulusevski (45'+3) WW,R. Aït-Nouri (7', 87')

 HT 2-1

Key Events

Penalty Save J Sa

 

Venue: TH Stadium Attendance: 61,284

Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cewx8pq5q94t#Report BY Timothy Abraham BBC Sport Journalist

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.skysports.com/football/video/12606/13281317/tottenham-2-2-wolves-premier-league-highlights

Jorgen Strand Larsen's late equaliser continued Vitor Pereira's impressive start as Wolves boss after a chaotic Premier League draw with Tottenham. Wolves took an early lead when the unmarked Hwang Hee-chan swept the ball low into the corner from the edge of the box after the Spurs defence had switched off at a free-kick.  Spurs equalised shortly afterwards thanks to Rodrigo Bentancur, who glanced a powerful close-range header beyond Jose Sa from Pedro Porro's corner. Tottenham were awarded a penalty when Andre brought down the fleet-footed Brennan Johnson only for Sa to guess correctly and deny Son Heung-min It did not stymie Spurs' attacking intent and a neat interchange between Dejan Kulusevski and Johnson inside a crowded area culminated in the latter firing home a low shot.  Tottenham had chances to increase their lead in the second half but failed to take them.  Dominic Solanke was unable to get on the end of a Timo Werner cross into the six-yard box while Kulusevski perhaps should have done better when he broke clear.  

Wolves were content to hang in the contest and levelled with three' of normal time remaining when substitute Strand Larsen beat Fraser Forster at his near post with a rasping angled shot.  Spurs piled on the pressure during 12' of added time but were unable to contrive a winner and finish December with just five points from a possible 21.  

Wolves are back to doing the basics well under Pereira with a clarity of thought about what an individual player's role is in the collective.  That was embodied by the performances of their two strikers, who both got on the scoresheet against Spurs.  Hwang netted a respectable 12 goals in the Premier League last season but has had to contend with a more limited role this season.  This was only his third start and his first since August after a combination of injuries meant he struggled towards the end of Gary O'Neil's tenure.  Hwang scored his first goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Manchester United last time out, and he opportunistically netted for the second game in succession.  On his 99th league appearance, his pace stretched the high line held by the Spurs defence but when he ran out of steam in the second half Strand Larsen continued to carry the mantle.  The Norwegian ended a run of five games without a goal with a clinical strike to ensure Pereira took his unbeaten streak to three games.  This season Wolves have relied heavily on Matheus Cunha, who been involved in 11 goals in his last 11 league appearances, scoring seven and assisting four. The Brazilian had a subdued afternoon and was substituted at half-time with a hamstring problem. But it will have been a source of encouragement for Pereira that goals have seemingly returned elsewhere on the pitch.

Player of the match : 9 J. Strand Larsen Average rating 8.03

: 2 M. Doherty Average Rating: 7.86

Teams

TH  20, F. Forster  13, D. Udogie Sergio, sub 4 Sergio Reguilón at 50'  14, A. Gray  6, R. Drăgușin 23, Pedro Porro 30, R. Bentancur 90'+7, Yellow Card, 8, Y. Bissouma sub 4 P. Sarr at 64' 7, Son Heung-Min (c), Captain sub 4 T. Werner at 64' 21, D. Kulusevski 22, B. Johnson, sub 4 J. Maddison at 64' 19, D. Solanke

Substitutes 40, B. Austin 15, L. Bergvall 48, A. Dorrington 42, W. Lankshear 64, C. Olusesi 10, J. Maddison 3, Sergio Reguilón 29, P. Sarr  16, T. Werner

away team,WW

Manager: Vítor Pereira

Formation:

3 - 4 - 2 - 1

1, José Sá 15, C. Dawson, sub 4 Rodrigo Gomes at 78' 4, S. Bueno 2, M. Doherty 3, R. Aït-Nouri 8, João Gomes 7, André, sub 4 T. Doyle at 69' 22, Nélson Semedo (c), Yellow Card at 45' + 2 10, Matheus Cunha sub 4 J. Strand Larsen at 46' 27, J. Bellegarde 27', Yellow Card at 27', sub 4 Gonçalo Guedes at 46' 11, Hwang Hee-Chan, sub 4 Carlos Forbs at 78'

away team,WW 37, Pedro Lima  20, T. Doyle  26, Carlos Forbs  29, Gonçalo Guedes  19, Rodrigo Gomes  31, S. Johnstone  33, B. Meupiyou  46,  Pond 9, J. Strand Larsen

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Kavanagh Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett Assistant Referee 1: Richard West Assistant Referee 2: Timothy Wood Fourth Official: Tim Robinson Assistant VAR Official: Nicholas Hopton

Stats

Overall possession TOT 48.2% WOL 51.8%

xG TH 0.9949WW 0.5949

 Shots TH 13 WW 11

Shots on target TH 3 WW 3

Total touches inside the box TH 29 WW 20

Goalkeeper saves TH 1 WW 11

Fouls TH 9 WW 10

Corners TH 5 WW 5

Advanced match stats

Attack

Shots TH 13 WW 11

shots on target TH 3 WW 3

Shots off target TH 7 WW 4

Blocked shots TH 3 WW 4

Attempts out of box TH 3 WW 7

Total offside TH 3 WW 3

xG from open play TH 0.7306 WW 0.3747

xG from set play TH 0.2643 WW 0.2203

xA TH 0.795635 WW 0.46193

xA from open play TH 0.643996 WW 0.35723

xA from set play TH 0.151643 WW 0.104697

Defensive

Total tackles TH 16 WW 18

Won tackles TH 9 WW 13

fouls TH 9 WW 10

Total yellow cards TH 1 WW 2

Total clearances TH 19 WW 15

headed clearances TH 8 WW 2

Duels won TH 41 WW 34

Distribution

Total passes TH 409 WW 443

Accurate passes TH 319 WW 356

Backward passes TH 68 WW 89

Forward passes TH 159 WW 149

Total long balls TH 40 WW 68

successful final third passes TH 78 WW 90

Total crosses TH 17 WW 15

Touches TH 587 WW 613

Touches in the box TH 29 WW 20

Dispossessed TH 9 WW 11

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper saves TH 1 WW 1

Diving saves TH 1 WW 1

Saved shots from inside the box TH 1 WW 1

Penalty saves TH 0 WW 1

Keeper throwsTH 2 WW 2

Goal kicks TH 6 WW 8

Team news

Tottenham's defensive crisis has worsened as Radu Dragusin injured his ankle against Nottingham Forest and faces a fitness test.  Full-back Djed Spence will definitely miss out due to suspension following his red card in that match, while Ben Davies has suffered a setback in his battle to regain fitness.

Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina could return, having missed Vitor Pereira's first two matches in charge due to a minor injury.  Pablo Sarabia will again be absent with a calf issue, while Yerson Mosquera, Boubacar Traore, Enso Gonzalez and Sasa Kalajdzic are long-term absentees.

Match facts

Head-to-head

Tottenham have lost the past three league meetings.  Wolves have won five Premier League away fixtures versus Spurs, one more than than they have lost, with three of those victories coming in their five visits to TH Stadium. Wolves have earned eight Premier League wins against Tottenham, their joint-highest tally against an opponent along with Everton, Fulham and Southampton.  

TH are guaranteed to be lower than seventh in the league at the turn of the year for the first time since the 2008-09 season. They have suffered four defeats in their past five league games, and six in their last 10.  In their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Spurs averaged over 65% possession for the seventh time in a league match this season - but they have lost five of those games (W1, D1).  They have conceded the first goal in 10 league fixtures this season, a tally only surpassed by Leicester, Wolves and Southampton.  Tottenham have lost 16 top-flight matches in 2024, with only Wolves (21) and Brentford (17) faring worse.  They could concede four or more goals in three consecutive home league games for the first time in their history.  Spurs have lost a league-high four times in December. It is their most defeats in a month since December 2003, while they last lost five times in one month in October 1955.

WW  Vitor Pereira is the first Wolves manager to win his first two top-flight league games in charge since Sammy Chung in August 1977. No manager has ever won his first three top-flight fixtures in charge of the club. Pereira has already equalled the  of league victories Wolves earned in 16 attempts under Gary O'Neil this season.  After a run of one clean sheet in 28 league matches, they have kept two in a row in Pereira's opening two matches.  Wolves could become the second team to score at least 30 goals and concede at least 40 at the halfway stage of a 38-game Premier League season, emulating Sheffield Wednesday in 1997-98.  Matheus Cunha is the first Wolves player to score as many as 16 top-flight goals in a calendar year since John Richards netted 18 in 1980.  Cunha has been involved in 11 goals in his last 10 league appearances, scoring seven and assisting four.

Tottenham have lost each of their last three Premier League meetings with Wolves, their longest ever losing run against them in their league history.Wolves have won four of their last five league games against Spurs (L1), as many as they had in their previous 19 against them combined (D3 L12).Five of Tottenham’s eight Premier League defeats against Wolves have come in home games, with Wolves the only side they’ve lost to at home 2+ times more than they have away in the competition.Tottenham have only lost their final league game in one of the last 15 calendar years (W8 D6), though that was a 3-1 home defeat against Wolves in 2018.  Five of Tottenham’s eight Premier League defeats against Wolves have come in home games, with Wolves the only side they’ve lost to at home 2+ times more than they have away in the competition.Tottenham have only lost their final league game in one of the last 15 calendar years (W8 D6), though that was a 3-1 home defeat against Wolves in 2018.Wolves beat Everton 3-0 in their final league game of 2023, last winning their last match in consecutive calendar years in 2017 (v Bristol City) and 2018 (v Tottenham).Tottenham have lost 4-3 against Chelsea and 6-3 against Liverpool in their last two Premier League home games, as many times as they’d shipped 4+ goals at home in their previous 204 at home in the league. They’ve never done so in three consecutive home league games before. Wolves beat Everton 3-0 in their final league game of 2023, last winning their last match in consecutive calendar years in 2017 (v Bristol City) and 2018 (v Tottenham).Tottenham have lost 4-3 against Chelsea and 6-3 against Liverpool in their last two Premier League home games, as many times as they’d shipped 4+ goals at home in their previous 204 at home in the league. They’ve never done so in three consecutive home league games before.No team have lost more Premier League games since the start of December than Tottenham (4). It’s their most league defeats in a calendar month since December 2003 (also 4), while they last lost five league games in a single month in October 1955.Wolves have won both of their Premier League games under Vítor Pereira – no manager has ever won each of his first three top-flight games in charge of the club. No team have lost more Premier League games since the start of December than Tottenham (4). It’s their most league defeats in a calendar month since December 2003 (also 4), while they last lost five league games in a single month in October 1955.Wolves have won both of their Premier League games under Vítor Pereira – no manager has ever won each of his first three top-flight games in charge of the club.Dominic Solanke has been involved in seven goals in his last six home games in all competitions for Tottenham, scoring six and assisting one. He’s looking to score in four consecutive home appearances for the first time since October 2021 (6 with Bournemouth).Matheus Cunha has been involved in 11 goals in his last 10 Premier League games, scoring seven and assisting four. Overall he’s had a hand in 22 goals in 2024 (16 goals, 6 assists), the second most by a Wolves player in a single calendar year in the Premier League after Raúl Jiménez (24 in 2019).

18 Thursday 26 Dec Manchester Utd H 5:30pm Sky W2-0

18 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Matheus Cunha (58')Goal 58'

Hwang Hee-Chan (90'+9)Goal 90' +9  Manchester United 0

Assists Matheus Cunha (90'+9)  (Doc 58' for winning corner and distracting Onana!

Half Time WW 0 , MU 0

 

Key Events

 MU Bruno Fernandes (47')Two Yellow Cards 47'

Venue: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 31,407

Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c8xj1xrxvy9t#Report:

Simon Stone at Molineux Chief football news reporter

MU captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the third time this season as Wolves continued their perfect start under new boss Vitor Pereira with victory over the Red Devils.  Fernandes was dismissed for a second yellow card two' into the second half, having already been sent off against Tottenham and Porto earlier in the campaign. The hosts capitalised on their numerical advantage 11' later when Matheus Cunha became the second player in three games to score directly from a corner against United.  Just as Son Heung-min did for Tottenham a week ago, Cunha found the net with a corner that sailed over Andre Onana's outstretched arm in a crowded six-yard box.  The points were sealed in the eighth minute of added time when, as United chased an equaliser, Wolves broke and Cunha squared the ball for Hwang Hee-chan to make it 2-0.

In recent weeks, Amorim has tried and failed to make his side more secure but Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have also capitalised from United's frailty at defending balls pumped into their box during a run of five defeats in seven games in all competitions. Amorim has now collected seven points from his six league games in charge.

By contrast new Wolves boss Pereira has six from two as he followed up the weekend win at Leicester with a first home victory over United since 2019. If life was not bad enough for United, they will now be without Fernandes for the home game with Newcastle on 30 December and also midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who picked up his fifth booking of the season.

Cunha the star man for Wolves

Media caption, 'Cunha is a good boy' - Pereira praises Wolves striker

While the manner of his goal was bizarre, if anyone was likely to score it, Cunha was that man.  The Brazilian had actually tried the corner trick in the first-half but on that occasion, United escaped.  "I was shooting, we train to shoot," the forward said afterwards. "The second one I had this luck and scored the goal."  Boss Pereira added: "We tried to put this ball swinging inside, but it's his quality. I think it's not about work, it's individual quality. He's a player in my opinion who can reach high standards in this league."  In a pretty drab opening period, this was the kind of inventiveness that stood out.  Much has been made about the players Wolves have sold and the lack of quality replacing them.  However, as long as they have Cunha, they will always have a goal threat.  "He is one of the best I've ever played with," said strike partner Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Speaking to Match of the Day, Pereira added: "He's very important. His standard is a high-level player. We need high-level players, we need him. I hope he can help us every game. He is a good boy, a good person and he is also a leader inside the team."  Critics may argue he should not have been playing as his FA misconduct charge for an incident after the final whistle of the home defeat by Ipswich on 14 December is still to be heard.  Wolves are making the most of their good fortune.  Leny Yoro had already been booked for cynical foul on the Brazilian before Fernandes followed suit with a tackle that would have greater consequences later in the game.  Noussair Mazraoui needed to be absolutely spot on with his tackle to avoid a similar fate after Cunha had advanced into the visitors half in a move that began with a superb piece of skill to control the ball by the touchline. A disguised pass to Joao Gomes was another moment to savour from the 25-year-old and no neutral could have begrudged him the tap-in had United goalkeeper Andre Onana not got down to prevent Matt Doherty's low cross reaching him.  His reward was to come though. Not only did score, taking his tally for the season to 10, he unselfishly squared a pass to Hwang to provide the South Korean with a tap-in to seal the points in the final minute of stoppage time.

Man Utd form no laughing matter

How Amorim must wish he had got his way when he asked United chief executive Omar Berrada if he could delay his arrival from Sporting until the summer. At least the 39-year-old has not already been dismissed like his successor in Lisbon, Joao Pereira, but by the time he gets to the start of next season, Amorim will already be under scrutiny if this carries on. For, while most would accept this current United squad is deficient in many areas when it comes to competing at the levels co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe demands, repeated failure at the most basic of English traditions is almost inexcusable.

 

Player of the match

: 10 Matheus Cunha Average rating 8.97

 1, José Sá 24, Toti Gomes 4, S. Bueno 2, M. Doherty 90', Yellow Card at 90' 3, R. Aït-Nouri,  sub 4 Rodrigo Gomes at 87' 8, João Gomes 33', Yellow Card at 33',  sub 4 T. Doyle at 73' 7, André 22, Nélson Semedo (c), Captain,  sub 4 J. Bellegarde at 92' 10, Matheus Cunha 29, Gonçalo Guedes  sub 4 Hwang Hee-Chan at 74' 9, J. Strand Larsen',  sub 4 C. Dawson at 92'

Substitutes WW 27, J. Bellegarde  37, Pedro Lima  15, C. Dawson  20, T. Doyle  26, Carlos Forbs  19, Rodrigo Gomes  11, Hwang Hee-Chan 31, S. Johnstone 33, B. Meupiyou

away team,MU

Manager: Ruben Amorim

Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1

24, A. Onana 6, Lisandro Martínez 5, H. Maguire 15, L. Yoro 4', Yellow Card at 4',  sub 4 Antony at 63' 20, Diogo Dalot 37, K. Mainoo sub 4 Casemiro at 63' 25, M. Ugarte  Yellow Card at 54',  sub 4 C. Eriksen at 63' 3, N. Mazraoui 8, Bruno Fernandes (c), Captain47', Two Yellow Cards at 47' 16, A. Diallo,  sub 4 A. Garnacho at 79' 9, R. Højlund,  sub 4 J. Zirkzee at 79'

Subs away team,MU 1, A. Bayındır  18, Casemiro  43, T. Collyer  14, C. Eriksen  35, J. Evans  17, A. Garnacho  11, J. Zirkzee  4, M. de Ligt 21, Antony

Match Officials

Referee: Tony Harrington Video Assistant Referee: Matt Donohue Assistant Referee 1: Darren Cann Assistant Referee 2: Marc Perry Fourth Official: Andrew Kitchen Assistant VAR Official: Nicholas Hopton

Attack

Shots WW 7MU 11

Shots on target WW 4MU 4

Shots off target WW 1MU 3

Blocked shots WW 2MU 4

Attempts out of box WW 4MU 6

Total offside WW 3MU 1

xG from open play WW 0.7382MU 0.2764

xG from set play WW 0.1272MU 0.076

xA WW 0.644618MU 0.435178

xA from open play WW 0.63645MU 0.40729

xA from set play WW 0.00816741MU 0.0278902

Defensive

Total tackles WW 26MU 24

Won tackles WW 19MU 17

Fouls WW 12MU 12

Total yellow cards WW 2MU 22

Total clearances WW 21MU 21

Headed clearances WW 11MU 7

Duels won WW 63MU 49

Distribution

Total passes WW 474MU 457

Accurate passes WW 394MU 366

Backward passes WW 77MU 87

Forward passes WW 149MU 154

Total long balls WW 67MU 54

Successful final third passesWW 89MU 102

Total crosses WW 15MU 20

Touches WW 689MU 651

Touches in the box WW 14MU 20

Dispossessed WW 18MU 12

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper saves WW 4MU 2

Diving saves WW 2MU 2

Saved shots from inside the box WW 3MU 1

Saved shots from outside the box WW 1MU 11

Keeper throws WW 4MU 4

Goal kicks WW 6MU 6

Punches WW 1MU 1

Team news

Wolves wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is available again after serving a one-match suspension. Midfielder Mario Lemina faces a fitness test after sitting out the weekend win over Leicester with a minor calf injury. MU head coach Ruben Amorim must decide whether to include unsettled forward Marcus Rashford in the matchday squad. United are monitoring Matthijs de Ligt, who has been out with illness, while fellow defender Victor Lindelof may need to be assessed after missing Sunday's defeat by Bournemouth.

Match facts

Head to head MU are looking for a fifth consecutive away win against Wolves. Wolves haven't beaten United at home since April 2019, a run of six matches in all competitions. A 97th-minute winner gave United a 4-3 win at Molineux the last time the teams met in February.

WW

This is the fourth time Wolves have been in the Premier League relegation zone on Christmas Day. They went on to be relegated in 2003-04 but stayed up in 2010-11 and 2022-23. Wolves could equal the Premier League record for most home defeats in a calendar year: 13 by Ipswich Town in 1994. They have kept just one league clean sheet at Molineux this season. Nonetheless, Vitor Pereira can become the second Portuguese manager to win his first two Premier League fixtures, emulating Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in August 2004.  Wanderers are unbeaten in their past seven Boxing Day league games (W5, D2).  Matheus Cunha has been involved in nine goals in his last nine Premier League games, scoring six and assisting three.  Gonçalo Guedes has been directly involved in six goals across his last eight Premier League appearances, with two goals and four assists.

MU have lost three of their past four league fixtures, conceding the opening goal in all of them. United's tally of 22 points is their lowest after 17 league matches of a season since 1989-90. They are in the bottom half of the table at Christmas for the first time since that season.  They have conceded 17 Premier League goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) in 2024, which is their most in a calendar year. Ruben Amorim has taken just six points from his first six league games in charge. MU hold the English league record of 54 wins on Boxing Day.With four goals and six assists, Amad Diallo has been involved in 10 goals in his last 11 appearances for MU in all competitions.  Bruno Fernandes has failed to score in any of his eight Premier League matches versus Wolves.

17 Sunday 22 Dec Leicester A 2pm W0-3

Premier League

Leicester City 0 , Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 Gonçalo Guedes (19'), Rodrigo Gomes (36'),Matheus Cunha (44')

Half Time Leicester City 0 , Wolverhampton Wanderers 3

HT 0-3

Assists Nélson Semedo (19'), M. Doherty (36'), Gonçalo Guedes (44')

Venue: King Power Stadium Attendance: 31,818T

Report https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c3e3zwyep2lt Ben Collins BBC Sport journalist

Vitor Pereira believes "we will stay in the Premier League" after his Wolves reign got off to a dream start with a comfortable away win against fellow strugglers Leicester. The Portuguese coach was appointed as Gary O'Neil's successor on Thursday and made four changes to the side that suffered a late 2-1 home defeat by Ipswich last week. Two of those he brought in were compatriots Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo Gomes, and both pounced inside the opening 36'.  Top scorer Matheus Cunha also took advantage of some sloppy Leicester defending to add a third with his ninth goal of the season right before half-time.  

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy made a double change at half-time, then another just seven' into the second half.  But the hosts barely threatened as Wolves halted a four-match losing streak to move within two points of Leicester, who are one place above the relegation zone.  

"I believe that we will stay in the Premier League and we will play at a better level than we saw today," Pereira told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Today I am happy, as the team showed spirit and that spirit is what Wolves supporters want to see."  

Pereira's first game as a Premier League manager has been a long time coming.  The 56-year-old thought he was going to be given the Everton job in 2013, and says he "did many job interviews with English clubs". A two-time title winner with Porto, he has finally been given an opportunity in England, but surely did not imagine making such a comfortable start. Wolves were 3-0 up by half-time, but that is not to say Pereira has suddenly transformed them into a more fearsome attacking force - they simply took their chances when they came along. The first goal came after Nelson Semedo chipped a speculative ball down the right channel, which somehow found its way to Goncalo Guedes in the box. The Portugal forward, making just his second league start of the season, managed to hook it past Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward with the first shot of Pereira's tenure.  Matt Doherty then hit a hopeful diagonal ball towards Leicester right-back James Justin, who chose to let the ball go past him without realising that Gomes had got in behind.  Gomes took a heavy touch on his chest before trying to poke the ball goalwards. Although he failed to connect, it still went past Ward and into the Leicester net as the keeper had dived to his right, anticipating another touch from Gomes.  Then as half-time approached, Semedo played a ball down the right wing for Guedes, who was allowed to turn back inside and find Cunha, with the Brazil striker showing great composure to slot the ball beyond Ward and in off the far post. Leicester swiftly made a host of substitutions, but Wolves still went closest to scoring after the break, through Santiago Bueno and Joao Gomes. "In three days, to organise the team and give them confidence to play - that is hard," Pereira added. "I asked them to be proud of our work at the end of the game and to make the supporters proud of our work."

Player of the match

29 Gonçalo Guedes Average rating 8.52

10 Matheus Cunha Average Rating: 8.19

19 Rodrigo Gomes Average Rating: 8.03

Leicester City

1 D. Ward 16, V. Kristiansen 23, J. Vestergaard 22', Yellow Card at 22'  sub 4 W. Faes at 46' 4, C. Coady  2, J. Justin H. sub 4 H. Choudhury at 53' 24, B. Soumaré 26', Yellow Card at 26' 22, O. Skipp sub 4 H. Winks at 46' 10, S. Mavididi  11, B. El Khannouss sub 4 B. De Cordova-Reid at 53' 18, J. Ayew sub 4 F. Buonanotte at 84' 9, J. Vardy (c), Captain

Substitutes

40, F. Buonanotte 17, H. Choudhury 20, P. Daka 14, B. De Cordova-Reid 3, W. Faes 31, D. Iversen 5, C. Okoli 33, L. Thomas 8, H. Winks

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manager: Vítor Pereira

Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1

1, José Sá 24, Toti Gomes 4, S. Bueno 2, M. Doherty 19, Rodrigo Gomes sub 4 C. Dawson at 83' 8, João Gomes sub 4 J. Bellegarde at 89' 7, André 22, Nélson Semedo (c), Captain sub 4 Carlos Forbs at 89' 10, Matheus Cunha 29, Gonçalo Guedes sub 4 Hwang Hee-Chan at 74' 9, J. Strand Larsen sub 4 T. Doyle at 84'

Subs 27, J. Bellegarde 37, Pedro Lima 34, L. Cundle 15, C. Dawson 20, T. Doyle 26, Carlos Forbs 11, Hwang Hee-Chan 31, S. Johnstone 33, B. Meupiyou

Match Officials

Referee: Anthony Taylor Video Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn Fourth Official: Anthony Backhouse  Assistant VAR Official: Matt Wilkes

Overall possession LEI 53.6% WOL 46.4%

xG LEI 0.8116 WW 1.05856

Shots Lei  9 Wol 8

Shots on target Lei  5 WW 4

Total touches inside the box Lei 17  WW 11

Goalkeeper saves Lei 1  WW 4

Fouls Lei 15 WW 16

Corners Lei 6 WW 1

Team news

Leicester will check on the fitness of goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who was substituted because of a groin injury at half-time in last weekend's defeat to Newcastle. Boubakary Soumare returns from suspension, Harry Winks is back in training and available for selection but fellow midfielder Wilfred Ndidi remains out.

Wolves new head coach Vitor Pereira must wait to see if Matheus Cunha is available to play after the forward was charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is definitely suspended following his red card after the final whistle against Ipswich last weekend. Joao Gomes returns from a ban, while Boubacar Traore, Pablo Sarabia and Jose Sa are all nearing full fitness.

Match stats Head-to-head

Leicester are unbeaten in all six of their Premier League home meetings against Wolves (W4, D2), conceding just one goal.  Wolves' only victory in their past 26 away games against the Foxes was 4-1 in the Championship in 2007.  

Leicester City's only win in their past eight Premier League matches was 3-1 at home against West Ham in Ruud van Nistelrooy's first game in charge (D2, L5).  Their tally of 14 points after 16 games is the club's lowest at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 2014-15.  The Foxes are unbeaten in all five of their league meetings against teams currently in the bottom seven (W2, D3).  Van Nistelrooy is without a defeat in each of his last 19 home games as a manager, including spells at PSV, Manchester United and Leicester (W15, D4).  They have conceded the opening goal in 12 of their 16 Premier League matches this season - a joint-high alongside Wolves. They have faced 74 shots across their three most recent league fixtures.  However, the East Midlands side are one of just four teams to score in all of their home league matches so far this term, alongside Brentford, Fulham and Wolves. Conor Coady's next league appearance will be the 400th of his career.

Wolverhampton Wanderers tally of nine points is their worst record after 16 games of a top-flight campaign since 1983-84. Their 21 Premier League defeats in 2024 is at least five more than any other club, and their most in a calendar year since losing 22 in 1978.

16 Saturday 14 Dec  Ipswich H L1-2

Report:L1-2 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cql5ykx1evpt

15 Monday 9 Dec West Ham A 8pm Sky  L2-1 var  

15 WHU 2 , T. Souček (54') J. Bowen (72')  Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 M. Doherty (69')

Assists J. Bowen (54'), M. Kudus (72') R Ait Nouri 69'

FT

Half Time West Ham United 0 ,  WW 0

Venue: London Stadium Attendance: 62,435

Report https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cly7j2pngr4t#Report

West Ham edged to a narrow Premier League victory over struggling Wolves to ease the pressure on under-fire head coach Julen Lopetegui.  However, the result is only likely to increase the scrutiny over Gary O'Neil's position as Wolves manager, with his side remaining 19th in the table after three consecutive defeats. Tomas Soucek's second-half header from Jarrod Bowen's corner had set the hosts on their way. Matt Doherty had superbly levelled from Rayan Ait-Nouri's cross for the visitors, before Bowen scored West Ham's decisive second goal with a placed effort during a frenetic spell in the second-half.

In between, Hammers winger Mohammed Kudus correctly had a goal ruled out for offside following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, while Wolves appeared to have genuine complaints when Emerson's shove on Goncalo Guedes did not result in a penalty in their favour after a similar review.

O'Neil's side were further enraged by the manner of Bowen's winning goal with home defender Konstantinos Mavropanos seemingly fouling Wolves' Uruguayan centre-back Santiago Bueno in the build-up.

The result leaves West Ham 14th in the table, nine points clear of the bottom three.

1, Ł. Fabiański 90'+4, Yellow Card at 90'+ 4 33, Emerson 45', Yellow Card at 45' substituted for A. Cresswell at 88' 26, M. Kilman 15, K. Mavropanos 29, A. Wan-Bissaka 28, T. Souček 19, E. Álvarez substituted for J. Todibo at 88' 7, C. Summerville, substituted for D. Ings at 73'  4, Carlos Soler  Yellow Card at 51'  substituted for Lucas Paquetá at 64' 14, M. Kudus, substituted for G. Rodríguez at 87' 20, J. Bowen (c), Captain, Yellow Card at 90' +10

Substitutes 23, A. Areola 5, V. Coufal 3, A. Cresswell 11, N. Füllkrug 18, D. Ings 17, Luis Guilherme 24, G. Rodríguez 90'+5, Yellow Card  25, J. Todibo 10, Lucas Paquetá

 WW

Manager: Gary O'Neil

Formation:

3 - 4 - 2 - 1

31, S. Johnstone 24, Toti Gomes 4, S. Bueno 22, Nélson Semedo 3, R. Aït-Nouri substituted for Rodrigo Gomes at 86' 5, M. Lemina (c), Captain90'+10, Yellow Card at 90' +10 7, André substituted for J. Bellegarde at 62' 2, M. Doherty   Yellow Card at 49' 10, Matheus Cunha 45'+1, Yellow Card  8, João Gomes  Yellow Card at 63' , substituted for T. Doyle at 78' 9, J. Strand Larsen, substituted for Gonçalo Guedes at 62'

Subs: 27, J. Bellegarde 25, D. Bentley 37, Pedro Lima 15, C. Dawson 20, T. Doyle 26, Carlos Forbs 29, Gonçalo Guedes 19, Rodrigo Gomes 11, Hwang Hee-Chan

Match Officials Referee: John Brooks Video Assistant Referee: Andy Madley Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bennett Assistant Referee 2: Dan Robathan Fourth Official: Tim Robinson Assistant VAR Official: Steven Meredith

Overall Possession WHU 54% WOL 46%

Shots WHU 19 WW 19

Shots on target WHU 4 WW 5

Shots off target WHU 6 WW 7

Blocked shots WHU 9 WW 7

Total touches in the box WHU 39 WW 24

Goalkeeper saves WHU 4 WW 2

Fouls WHU 12 WW 17

Corners WHU 11 WW 00

HT  Match Stats

Overall Possession WHU 57.3% WOL 42.7%

Team news

WH head coach Julen Lopetegui has reported no fresh injury concerns. Defender Jean-Clair Todibo is still nursing the adductor issue which forced him out of the midweek loss at Leicester. WW defender Nelson Semedo returns after serving a one-match suspension. Pablo Sarabia is a doubt after missing the defeat to Everton with a calf complaint. Sasa Kalajdzic, Yerson Mosquera and Boubacar Traore are all long-term absentees.

Match facts Head-to-head

WH have won four successive Premier League home games against WW, scoring 10 goals without reply. There has only been one draw in the 16 Premier League meetings, with WH winning eight fixtures and WW seven.

WH have won only two of their seven Premier League matches at the London Stadium this season, drawing one and losing four. The Hammers could suffer three successive top-flight defeats for the first time since February. The Irons have won their previous six Premier League home games played on a Monday. Jarrod Bowen has scored five Premier League goals against WW, with four of those coming at home.

 WW

They have won four of their past six Premier League games in London, losing the other two. WW have conceded a league-high 36 goals this season prior to the latest round of fixtures. Wanderers have claimed five away points this season, compared to four at home. Gary O'Neil has lost all four Premier League matches as a manager against WH by an aggregate score of 11-1. Matheus Cunha has scored 15 of his 21 league goals away from home.

14 Wednesday 4 Dec Everton A 19:30 ko Amazon L4-0  

Everton 4  A. Young (10') O. Mangala (33') C. Dawson (49' og, 72' og), Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

HT 2-0

Venue: Goodison Park Attendance: 38,820

Report https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cq8v8p4031et by Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter at Goodison Park

Everton ended a five-game winless Premier League run by thrashing hapless Wolves at Goodison Park, piling the pressure on beleaguered Gary O'Neil. Both managers were under intense scrutiny heading into Wednesday's fixture after their sides conceded four goals apiece at the weekend. As O'Neil faced taunting from Wolves' own fans, with Craig Dawson netting two own goals, home boss Sean Dyche witnessed Everton put in a much more convincing performance than of late as they moved five points clear of the relegation zone.  Having not scored for four games, Everton broke that barren run with the perfect start courtesy of Ashley Young's delightful 25-yard free-kick, which curled round the wall and nestled into the bottom right corner.  The hosts thought they had doubled their lead six' later when James Tarkowski directed home a towering header from Dwight McNeil's cross. However, the goal was ruled out by referee Michael Salisbury who ruled Orel Mangala offside and interfering with play after checking the pitchside monitor.  

Wolves did have their share of early chances but the in-form Matheus Cunha's low strike from the edge of the box and Jorgen Strand Larsen's poked effort were kept out by Jordan Pickford. O'Neil's men were made to pay for those missed opportunities as their porous defence failed to clear the ball, allowing Mangala to pounce and smash in a first time finish from 20 yards out. It got better for the home side in the second half, aided by a helping hand from Dawson, who inadvertently converted into his own net twice from McNeil's deliveries, as the visitors slumped to 19th place and three points adrift of safety.

1, J. Pickford 19, V. Mykolenko 32, J. Branthwaite 6, J. Tarkowski (c), Captain 18, A. Young 8, O. Mangala 35', Yellow Card at 35' 89', substituted for H. Armstrong 27, I. Gueye 7, D. McNeil J 74', substituted for J. Harrison 16, A. Doucouré  83', substituted for J. Lindstrøm 10, I. Ndiaye 9, D. Calvert-Lewin  83', substituted for A. Broja

Substitutes 45, H. Armstrong 90'+1, Yellow Card at 90' plus 1 22, A. Broja 23, S. Coleman 14, Beto 11, J. Harrison 29, J. Lindstrøm 12, João Virgínia 15, J. O'Brien 2, N. Patterson

WW

Manager: Gary O'Neil

Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1

1, José Sá 4, S. Bueno, substituted for Toti Gomes at 77' 15, C. Dawson 5, M. Lemina (c), Captain 3, R. Aït-Nouri 8, João Gomes substituted for T. Doyle at 84' 7, André 2, M. Doherty substituted for Rodrigo Gomes at 77', 10, Matheus Cunha 29, Gonçalo Guedes substituted for Hwang Hee-Chan at 57' 9, J. Larsen

WW

 substitutes: 27, J. Bellegarde 25, D. Bentley 37, Pedro Lima 20, T. Doyle 26, Carlos Forbs 24, Toti Gomes 19, Rodrigo Gomes 11, Hwang Hee-Chan 31, S. Johnstone

Match Officials

Referee: Michael Salisbury Video Assistant Referee: Darren England Assistant Referee 1: Darren Cann Assistant Referee 2: Gary Beswick Fourth Official: Leigh Doughty Assistant VAR Official: Richard West

Overall Possession EVE 43.8% WOL 56.2%

Shots  Eve13 WW 6

Shots on target Eve 4 WW 2

Shots off target Eve 5 WW 2

Blocked shots Eve 4 WW 2

Total touches in the box Eve 16 WW 15

Goalkeeper saves Eve 2 WW 2

Fouls Eve 10 WW 8

Corners Eve 3 WW 4

13 Saturday 30 Nov Bournemouth H H L2-4

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 J. Larsen (5', 69') , AFC Bournemouth 4 J. Kluivert (3' pen, 18' pen, 74' pen) M. Kerkez (8')

Assists WW ,J. Bellegarde (5'), Gonçalo Guedes (69') Bmth,M. Tavernier (8')

Full time

HT 1-3

Report https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c3dej1jkd0dt  Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist at Molineux

Lolites https://www.skysports.com/premier-league-highlights/video/36504/13263973/wolverhampton-wanderers-2-4-bournemouth-premier-league-highlights

First penalty hat-trick scored in PL history  !  Couple with a crqazy defensive set up by O’Neill

Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert became the first player in 67 years to score a hat-trick of penalties in an English top-flight game as his treble saw off Wolves and piled the pressure on home boss Gary O'Neil.

In a remarkable and thrilling match at Molineux, Evanilson also became the first player in Premier League history to win three spot-kicks in the same match.  It only took Bournemouth three' before they took a controversial lead.  Evanilson had been fouled by Toti Gomes with a penalty awarded, although O'Neil was insistent the Brazilian had handled the ball before being brought down.  The incident was checked by the video assistant referee (VAR), but the decision stood with Kluivert calmly sending Jose Sa the wrong way.

Bournemouth's lead lasted only two' as Wolves equalised through Jorgen Strand Larsen's superb diving header from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's cross from the right. But the Cherries, who had lost their past two games, retook the lead with the third goal in the opening eight'. The overlapping Milos Kerkez got it, firing into the roof of the net after being played in by Marcus Tavernier.

There was more VAR drama as Bournemouth went further ahead in the 18th minute.  Sa had taken a heavy first touch following a backpass, Evanilson got to the ball first and Sa kicked the back of the striker's ankle.  On-pitch referee Peter Bankes missed the incident, but, after watching the incident on a pitchside monitor, pointed to the spot, with Kluivert converting his second penalty of the match. Strand Larsen collected Matheus Cunha's pass to pull one back, only for Bournemouth to get a third penalty moment later - Sa fouling Evanilson.  Kluivert again showed his composure from 12 yards to become the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in an English top-flight game since Ken Barnes for Manchester City in their 6-2 win over Everton at Maine Road on 7 December 1957.

Possession     WW  59.9% BOU 40.1%

Shots              WW  10      Bmth 12

Shots on target WW  3     Bmth 8

Shots off target WW  5     Bmth 2

Blocked shots   WW  2     Bmth 2

Total touches in the box WW  20 Bmth 21

Goalkeeper saves WW  4 Bmth 1

Fouls                 WW  13   Bmth 11

Corners             WW   3    Bmth 4

home team,Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manager: Gary O'Neil

Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1

 

1, José Sá 73', Yellow Card at 73' 3, R. Aït-Nouri 24, Toti Gomes 64', sub4 Gonçalo Guedes, 5, M. Lemina (c), Captain76', Yellow Card at 76' 22, Nélson Semedo 2', Yellow Card at 2' 8, João Gomes 7, André sub4 Hwang Hee-Chan at 82' 19, Rodrigo Gomes, sub4 C. Dawson at 46', 10, Matheus Cunha 27, J. Bellegarde, sub4 Carlos Forbs at 64',

9, J. Larsen 90'+4, Yellow Card at 90'+4,

Substitutes 4, S. Bueno  15, C. Dawson 53', Yellow Card at 53' 2, M. Doherty 20, T. Doyle 26, Carlos Forbs 29, Conçalo Guedes 11, Hwang Hee-Chan 31, S. Johnstone 21, Pablo Sarabia

away team,AFC Bournemouth

Manager: Andoni Iraola

Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1

Starting lineup

13, Kepa 3, M. Kerkez 5, M. Senesi, sub4 Dean Huijsen at 82' 27, I. Zabarnyi 45', Yellow Card at 45', 15, A. Smith (c), Captain 10, R. Christie 12, T. Adams 16, M. Tavernier

19, J. Kluivert, sub4 P. Billing at 77' 7, D. Brooks, sub4 D. Ouattara at 64', 9, Evanilson, sub4 E. Ünal at 77'

Subs 37, M. Aarons 29, P. Billing 23, J. Hill 2, Dean Huijsen 48, M. Kinsey 11, D. Ouattara 42, M. Travers 47, B. Winterburn 26, E. Ünal

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Bankes Video Assistant Referee: Paul Tierney Assistant Referee 1: Nick Greenhalgh Assistant Referee 2: Craig Taylor Fourth Official: Robert Jones Assistant VAR Official: Scott Ledger

Match Facts

Wolves have lost two of their last three Premier League meetings with Bournemouth (W1), having been unbeaten in their first five against them (W3 D2).All four Premier League meetings between Wolves and Bournemouth at Molineux have been won to nil – Wolves won the first two 2-0 and 1-0 respectively, while the Cherries have won 1-0 on their last two visits.Wolves have won their last two Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 22 combined (D5 L15). They last won three in a row in December 2023.Wolves have scored in their last 11 Premier League games, the joint-longest ongoing run of any side in the competition. They’ve netted at least twice in each of their last four (10 in total), last netting multiple goals in more consecutive top-flight matches between May and August 2011 (5).  Having won four consecutive Premier League away games in November/December last season, Bournemouth have won just three of their last 16 on the road (D4 L9). One of these was against Wolves in April, however.All four of Bournemouth’s Premier League wins this season have been against teams either starting the day in the relegation zone (vs Everton and Southampton), or in the top four (vs Arsenal and Man City).Wolves’ Premier League games have seen 48 goals so far this season, more than any other side. Their 20 goals scored is their most 12 games into a top-flight campaign since 1972-73 (25), while their 28 conceded is the most at this stage since 1983-84 (31).No team has scored more goals via substitutes in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (5). All five of the Cherries’ sub goals have been scored by different players, the most different sub scorers in the league this term. Since his Premier League debut in January 2023, Matheus Cunha has both scored more goals (21) and provided more assists (10) than any other Wolves player. Indeed, his 31 goal involvements is the second most of any Wolves player in the competition’s history (Raúl Jiménez, 58).With three goals and two assists, Wolves’ Rayan Aït-Nouri has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other defender so far this term (5).

12 Saturday 23 Nov Fulham A W1-4  

Fulham 1 , Wolverhampton Wanderers 4

Half Time Fulham 1 A. Iwobi (20') , Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Matheus Cunha (31', 87'), João Gomes (53'), Gonçalo Guedes (90'+5)

HT 1-1

Assists Fulham,K. Tete (20') WW M. Lemina (31'), Matheus Cunha (53'), João Gomes (87'), J. Larsen (90'+5)

Venue: Craven Cottage

HILITES: https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-wolverhampton-wanderers/report/505921

REPORT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cpwrpz454prt by Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil says there is "no limit" to Matheus Cunha's potential after the Brazilian scored two sensational goals in a thumping Premier League win over Fulham.  Cunha cancelled out Alex Iwobi's brilliant opener at Craven Cottage with a wonderful strike of his own, controlling Mario Lemina's long ball with his first touch before lifting a delicate finish over goalkeeper Bernd Leno.  Joao Gomes put the visitors in front after the break, before Cunha curled another magnificent effort into the far corner and Goncalo Guedes added a late fourth on the counter-attack to seal a victory which moved Wolves out of the relegation zone.  

"Everyone knows how important [Cunha] is to us," O'Neil said of the 25-year-old, whose 10 top-flight goal involvements this season are bettered only by Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka.  "His s, his hunger, his willingness to do the other side of it [off the ball] - he’s come on so much.  "I love working with him. He can be a top player. He works every day to be as good as he can be. This was Matheus' best out-of-possession performance I've seen from him.  "Bernardo Silva and Martin Odegaard are top without the ball - Matheus' s are as good as anybody's. "There's no limit to where he can get to, ability wise. He's going to stay at Wolves for as long as possible firstly, but after that there's no limit to where he can go."

Both teams struggled for fluency in the early stages on a a wet and windy day, but former Wolves striker Raul Jimenez should have given Fulham the lead three'before Iwobi's strike when he turned Antonee Robinson's low cross against the crossbar from point-blank range.  Second-half substitute Harry Wilson was unfortunate to see a curling shot strike the top of the bar with the score at 2-1, but Cunha's second goal of the contest and Guedes' stoppage-time drive brought Fulham's winning league run to a shuddering halt.

Fulham

Manager: Marco Silva

Formation:

4 - 2 - 3 - 1

Starting lineup

1, B. Leno (c), Captain 33, A. Robinson 3, C. Bassey 45'+4, Yellow Card at 45 + 4 5, J. Andersen 2, K. Tete 67', Yellow Card at 67'  71', sub4 T. Castagne, 20, S. Lukić 18, Andreas Pereira 57', Yellow Card at 57' 59', sub4 T. Cairney, 19, R. Nelson 71', sub4 Adama Traoré, 32, E. Smith Rowe 59', sub4 H. Wilson, 17, A. Iwobi 7, R. Jiménez 71', sub4 Rodrigo Muniz,

Substitutes 23, S. Benda 10, T. Cairney 21, T. Castagne 31, I. Diop 24, J. King 9, Rodrigo Muniz 30, R. Sessegnon 11, Adama Traoré 8, H. Wilson

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manager: Gary O'Neil

Formation:

3 - 4 - 2 - 1

Starting lineup

1, José Sá 3, R. Aït-Nouri 24, Toti Gomes 5, M. Lemina (c), Captain 19, Rodrigo Gomes 91', sub4 Hwang Hee-Chan, 8, João Gomes T. Doyle 91', sub4 T. Doyle, 7, André 22, Nélson Semedo 96', sub4 A. Pond, 10, Matheus Cunha 92', sub4 Gonçalo Guedes, 27, J. Bellegarde 87', sub4 M. Doherty, 9, J. Larsen

Substitutes  25, D. Bentley 34, L. Cundle 2, M. Doherty 20, T. Doyle 74, T. Edozie 26, Carlos Forbs 29, Gonçalo Guedes 11, Hwang Hee-Chan 46, A. Pond

Match Officials

Referee: Robert Jones Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett Assistant Referee 1: Ian Hussin Assistant Referee 2: Neil Davies Fourth Official: Michael Oliver Assistant VAR Official: Derek Eaton

International Break Saturday 10-18 November

11 Saturday 9 Nov Saints H W2-0

11 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Pablo Sarabia (2') Matheus Cunha (51'), Southampton 0 at Full time

HT 1-0

Assists Matheus Cunha (2'), M. Lemina (51')

Venue: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 31,403

Report https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgv3vgl4zzt  Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter

Matheus Cunha's stunner inspired Wolves to a first Premier League win of the season in their showdown with relegation rivals Southampton.  The forward struck from 25 yards to settle the nerves around Molineux and lift the hosts off the bottom of the table and above the Saints.  He had earlier set up Pablo Sarabia's opener, and victory, which moves Wolves to within a point of safety, eases the pressure on boss Gary O'Neil.  The spotlight instead shines on Saints head coach Russell Martin after a ninth loss in 11 games, but Southampton will point to the decision to disallow Ryan Manning's equaliser, and they felt Cameron Archer was fouled in the build-up to Cunha's strike. The visitors dominated but failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage, having fallen behind to Sarabia's second-minute strike.

Cunha seized on Kyle Walker-Peters' header on the halfway line and darted towards the box. He slipped in Sarabia and the midfielder rounded Aaron Ramsdale to give Wolves a dream start.  The hosts had not kept a clean sheet in the league since February - a run of 22 games - and thought their wait would continue when Manning's rocket from an angle found the top corner after 11 minutes. The defender smashed in after Wolves failed to clear Walker-Peters' cross, but it was disallowed when referee Thomas Bramall, after checking his monitor, ruled that Mateus Fernandes had fouled Nelson Semedo. It gave the Saints belief and they bossed the rest of the half, Taylor Harwood-Bellis wasting their best chance when he headed a corner wide.

Molineux was restless but the tension disappeared when Cunha blasted in after the break, leaving Southampton fuming in the belief Archer was fouled.  It left them with no way back and Wolves comfortably held on to breathe life into their season and deliver another damaging blow to the Saints.  

Wolves must build on victory

Victory cannot be understated. While there is no desire from the club to sack O'Neil, the situation would have fast become untenable if Wolves had lost. The head coach has stuck to his guns and insisted it had still been calm at the club amid any growing panic externally as the winless run continued, but he needed victories to back up those suggestions. A first league clean sheet in 23 games, since a 1-0 win over Sheffield United in February, and a first win of the season can give Wolves a springboard, and Crystal Palace's defeat by Fulham leaves them within touching distance. Victory, almost at any cost, was paramount, especially against relegation rivals, and they must build on it. There is a recognition Wolves have the players to survive, and performances have not been as bad as results suggest, but they needed to start proving it. Games against Fulham and Bournemouth complete the month and Wolves need to put their money where their mouth is. They have consistently felt they have deserved more in their previous 10 games and, after three games unbeaten, they need to make this new momentum count.

                   Wolves   Southampton

Possession  28.9%    71.1%

Shots             9            9

Shots on target 4         0

Shots off target 1         6

Blocked shots   3          3

touches in the box 19 19

Goalkeeper saves 0      2

Aerial duels won  5      9

Fouls                  14      12

Corners                1        9

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manager:

Gary O'Neil

Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1

1, José Sá 24, Toti Gomes 15, C. Dawson 4, S. Bueno 22, Nélson Semedo 8, João Gomes 5, M. Lemina (c), Captain 3, R. Aït-Nouri 95', substituted for M. Doherty at 95 10,

Matheus Cunha 90', substituted for Rodrigo Gomes, 21, Pablo Sarabia 46', substituted for J. Bellegarde, 9, J. Strand Larsen 73', substituted for Gonçalo Guedes

Substitutes 27, J. Bellegarde 81', Yellow Card at 81 minutes 2, M. Doherty  20, T. Doyle  26, Carlos Forbs  29, Gonçalo Guedes  19, Rodrigo Gomes  31, S. Johnstone 46, A. Pond 7, André

Southampton

Manager: Russell Martin

Formation: 5 - 4 - 1

30, A. Ramsdale 51', Yellow Card at 51 minutes 5, J. Stephens (c), Captain 60', substituted for Y. Sugawara, 35, J. Bednarek 6, T. Harwood-Bellis 22', Yellow Card, 3, R. Manning 46', substituted for T. Dibling, 2, K. Walker-Peters 78', Yellow Card, 18, Mateus Fernandes 10, A. Lallana 60', substituted for L. Ugochukwu, 7, J. Aribo 73', substituted for B. Brereton, 9, A. Armstrong 19, C. Archer 73', substituted for P. Onuachu.

Subs 27, S. Amo-Ameyaw 14, J. Bree 17, B. Brereton 33, T. Dibling 1, A. McCarthy 32, P. Onuachu 16, Y. Sugawara 26, L. Ugochukwu 89', Yellow Card, 15, N. Wood-Gordon

Match Officials

Referee: Thomas Bramall Video Assistant Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistant Referee 1: Scott Ledger Assistant Referee 2: Akil Howson Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone Assistant VAR Official: Ian Hussin

Team news

Hwang Hee-chan could come back into contention for Wolves after resuming training, while Sam Johnstone has recovered from a groin problem and is available.  Yerson Mosquera, Enso Gonzalez, Sasa Kalajdzic and Boubacar Traore remain out.  Rayan Ait-Nouri, Joao Gomes, Nelson Semedo and Toti Gomes are a booking away from a ban.

Adam Lallana may be involved for Southampton despite being withdrawn at half-time during the win against Everton because of a minor groin issue.  However, Ryan Fraser is not ready to return from illness, with Gavin Bazunu, Ross Stewart and Will Smallbone also still sidelined.

Match facts

Head-to-head

Wolves have won five consecutive top-flight games against Southampton, their longest Premier League winning streak versus a single opponent.  Saints beat Wolves 3-1 at St Mary’s in April 2019 but that is their only victory in the past 14 league meetings.  Southampton’s only Premier League win at Molineux was by 4-1 in April 2004, when Kevin Phillips scored two late goals.  

WW could fail to win any of their opening 11 league fixtures for just the second time. It also happened in 1983-84, when they went winless in their first 14 top-flight games and were eventually relegated.  The 2-1 victory against Luton on 27 April is their only win in 20 Premier League matches. They have gone 22 consecutive top-flight fixtures without a clean sheet, conceding multiple goals in each of the past seven.  Gary O’Neil’s side won all three of their home league games against newly-promoted opposition last season, all by a single-goal margin.   Santiago Bueno celebrates his 26th birthday on the day of this match.

Southampton

The 1-0 victory against Everton ended their winless run of 22 Premier League games and a streak of 21 top-flight matches without a clean sheet.  Saints last won back-to-back Premier League fixtures in February 2022, when they beat both Everton and Norwich 2-0.  A ninth consecutive top-flight away defeat would be their worst run since 1993, and one shy of a club record set in 1974. The last time they avoided defeat in a Premier League away game was a 3-3 draw at Arsenal in April last year. Russell Martin’s side have scored seven league goals this season, fewer than any other side.  Adam Armstrong, who has five goals in 75 Premier League games, is vying to score in successive top-flight appearances for the first time.

10 Saturday 2 Nov Crystal Palace H D 2-2

 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 J. Strand Larsen (67') João Gomes (72') Crystal Palace 2 T. Chalobah (60') M. Guéhi (77')

HT 0-0

Assists Wolverhampton Wanderers,Matheus Cunha (67'), Gonçalo Guedes (72') Crystal Palace,D. Muñoz (77')

Venue: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 29,505

Strand-Larsen’s goal was Wolves’ 8,000th League Goal

REPORT https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c80l5red7r2t Jess Anderson BBC Sport journalist

Wolves remain without a win in the Premier League as they were held to an entertaining draw by fellow strugglers Crystal Palace at Molineux. Gary O'Neil's side came from behind to go ahead but could not hold on and have now failed to win any of their opening 10 games.  After a stale first half of limited chances, the game livened up when Trevoh Chalobah opened the scoring for the visitors, his low strike in the 67th minute following some poor defensive work from Wolves. But Jorgen Strand Larsen cancelled that out when he slotted through Dean Henderson's legs.  Joao Gomes then finished well from Goncalo Gomes' low cross to give his side the lead before an unmarked Marc Guehi tapped home at the back post from a corner to draw Palace level.  Jean-Philippe Mateta thought he had given his team a dramatic victory in the 96th minute when he placed a loose ball in the back of the net but was denied the moment of glory because of a foul on Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa in the build up.  

Wolves and Ipswich remain the only two sides in the league yet to register a win this campaign while Palace sit 17th, two points clear of the drop zone.

Wolves have never started a Premier League season so poorly having failed to win their opening 10 matches of any campaign for just the third time in their history (1983-84 and in the second tier in 1926-27).  During that run they have conceded 27 goals, more than anyone else in the league and lost four of their five matches at Molineux. But after rallying to secure a dramatic draw against Brighton last time out it seemed their wretched season may be beginning to turn around. For the first time in 20 games they kept a first-half clean sheet and Pablo Sarabia and Rayan Ait-Nouri both went close to openers. As the game opened up in the second half Wolves once again showed character to come from behind to lead. But they were punished for not picking up Guehi from a set piece. Booing from the home supporters told the tale of how they feel about the season so far and, as it stands, O’Neil is surely under huge pressure to start delivering results with a crucial game against 19th-place Southampton next up before the international break.

 Wolvesd

Manager: Gary O'Neil Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1

1, José Sá 24, Toti Gomes J. Bellegarde 63', substituted for J. Bellegarde at 63' 15, C. Dawson 4, S. Bueno 3, R. Aït-Nouri 8, João Gomes 20, T. Doyle M. Lemina 62',  substituted for M. Lemina at 62' 22, Nélson Semedo (c), Captain 10, Matheus Cunha 21, Pablo Sarabia Gonçalo Guedes 62', substituted for Gonçalo Guedes at 62' 9, J. Strand Larsen Substitutes home team,Wolverhampton Wanderers   27, J. Bellegarde   25, D. Bentley   2, M. Doherty   26, Carlos Forbs   29, Gonçalo Guedes 88', Yellow card at 88' 19, Rodrigo Gomes   5, M. Lemina  46, A. Pond   7, André

Crystal Palace

Manager: Oliver Glasner

Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1

1, D. Henderson  6, M. Guéhi (c), Captain   5, M. Lacroix   27, T. Chalobah 3, T. Mitchell 18, D. Kamada 19, W. Hughes 79', Yellow Card at 79' C. Doucouré 80', substituted for C. Doucouré at 80' 12, D. Muñoz 89', Yellow Card at 89' 9, E. Nketiah N. Clyne 84', substituted for N. Clyne at 84' 7, I. Sarr J. Schlupp 90', substituted for J. Schlupp at 90' 14, J. Mateta

away team,Crystal Palace subs 17, N. Clyne 55, J. Devenny 28, C. Doucouré 31, R. Matthews 58, C. Kporha 64, A. Agbinone 15, J. Schlupp 30, M. Turner 46, F. Umeh

Match Officials

Referee: Anthony Taylor Video Assistant Referee: Paul Tierney Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn Fourth Official: Simon Hooper Assistant VAR Official: Ian Hussin

Team news

Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina is expected to be available despite being forced off at half-time in the draw at Brighton with a minor calf injury. Sam Johnstone is back in contention after missing two games but Hwang Hee-chan, Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, Boubacar Traore and Bastien Meupiyou remain out.

Crystal Palace have suffered a double injury blow ahead of the trip to Molineux with Adam Wharton ruled out for a month after undergoing groin surgery, while Eberechi Eze will miss two weeks after he sustained a hamstring injury in the EFL Cup win at Aston Villa. Jefferson Lerma, Chadi Riad, Chris Richards and Matheus Franca remain sidelined but Cheick Doucoure is available.

Match facts

Head-to-head

Wolves have lost six of their last seven Premier League games against Crystal Palace. In last season's Premier League, Palace defeated Wolves 3-2 at Selhurst Park and 3-1 at Molineux. The Eagles have won three of their six Premier League visits to Molineux - all six of those matches were decided by a two-goal margin for the victors.

Wolves have lost each of their opening four home fixtures of a league campaign for the first time. They have failed to win any of their opening nine matches of a league campaign for the third time, having done so in the top flight in 1983-84 and in the second tier in 1926-27. A team has had a winless run of at least 10 matches from the beginning of a Premier League season on 18 occasions. Only five of those teams went on to avoid relegation: Everton (1994-95), Blackburn (1996-97), Derby (2000-01) and Newcastle (2018-19 and 2021-22). Wolves have won just one of their last 19 top-flight games, a 2-1 home victory against Luton on 27 April. Premier League matches involving Wolves this term have produced a league-high 37 goals, while Palace's fixtures have yielded a league-low 17 goals.  Wolves have conceded 25 goals this season. Only Southampton, with 26 in 2012-13, have conceded more goals after nine games of a Premier League campaign. Gary O'Neil has lost all four top-flight matches as a manager against Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace's 1-0 home win against Spurs last time out was their first of the season. However, the Eagles have won only two of their last 17 Premier League away fixtures: 1-0 at Liverpool on 14 April and 3-1 at Wolves on 11 May. Palace have scored six Premier League goals this season, a joint-league low alongside Southampton. They netted 29 goals in 13 league games under Oliver Glasner last season - the fifth-highest tally in that time period. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze are joint-fourth in Palace's all-time leading Premier League goalscorers with 27 goals. The top three are Wilfried Zaha (68), Christian Benteke (35) and Luka Milivojevic (28). Mateta has scored 16 goals in 22 Premier League appearances under Oliver Glasner but only two have been scored in away games - including one at Molineux.Eze has scored in four of his five Premier League starts versus Wolves, his joint-highest top-flight goals tally against any side, along with Sheffield United.

09 Saturday 26 Oct Brighton A D2-2

Brighton & Hove Albion 2 D. Welbeck (45') E. Ferguson (85') Wolverhampton Wanderers 2  R. Aït-Nouri (88') Matheus Cunha (90'+3)

Assists BHA,G. Rutter (45'), T. Lamptey (85') WW T. Doyle (90'+3

Full time

HT 1-0

Venue: American Express Stadium Attendance: 31,840

WW  1, José Sá 24, Toti Gomes 41', Yellow Card at 41' sub4 Carlos Forbs 46', then Rodrigo Gomes 95', 15, C. Dawson 4, S. Bueno 3, R. Aït-Nouri 50', Yellow Card at 50'  5, M. Lemina (c), Captain sub4 Pablo Sarabia 46', 20, T. Doyle 22, Nélson Semedo 10, Matheus Cunha 8, João Gomes sub4 Conçalo Guedes 91', 9, J. Strand Larsen 45'+3,  yellow Card at 45+3', André 94'

Report https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c981881302lt  Neil Johnston BBC Sport journalist

Wolves staged a dramatic late fightback to snatch a point and lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League in a thrilling game at Brighton. The home side looked to be coasting to three points and a place in the top four after substitute Evan Ferguson made it 2-0 in the 85th minute after in-form Danny Welbeck had opened the scoring at the end of the first half. It left Gary O'Neil's Wolves staring at a sixth successive league defeat.

But Rayan Ait-Nouri reduced the deficit in the 88th minute before Brazil forward Matheus Cunha capped an impressive performance with a deflected shot which went in off the underside of the bar in the 93rd minute.  The equaliser came moments after Brighton somehow messed up a four-on-one situation as they searched for a third goal. It allowed Wolves to break up the other end through Tommy Doyle who produced the pass for Cunha's late finish. The point was enough to lift Wolves off the bottom of the table after a horrible run of results left O'Neil under serious pressure.

Having won just one of their first seven Premier League meetings with Wolves (D4 L2), Brighton have now won four of their last five against them (D1).Wolves have won just three of their 20 away league games against Brighton (D8 L9), with all three victories coming by a 1-0 scoreline (September 2004, January 2016 and December 2021).

Brighton are looking to win three successive Premier League games for the first time since September 2023, while the Seagulls are also looking to win two in a row without conceding in the competition for the first time since April/May 2023 – one of which was against Wolves.

In their first four Premier League seasons, Brighton’s average point tally after eight matches was 7.8. Since 2021-22, they are averaging exactly 15 points at this stage, winning 15 this season (W4 D3 L1).

Brighton and Hove Albion have won just 12 of their 45 Premier League matches against teams starting the day in the relegation zone (27%). Among teams to play in more than five seasons, only West Brom (26%, won 20/78) have a lower win percentage than the Seagulls.

Lewis Dunk could make his 250th Premier League appearance in this match for Brighton. All of his 249 games so far have been starts, with only five outfield players starting each of their first 250 games in the competition: Gary McAllister (1992-99), Des Walker (1992-2000), Gary Pallister (1992-2000), Gareth Southgate (1992-2000) and Paul Ince (1992-2001).

Wolves have picked up just one point in their last 11 Premier League games, losing more games (10) and conceding more goals (33) than any other side in that time.

Wolves have lost their last five Premier League matches, despite finding the net in each match. The last team to lose six top-flight games in a row while scoring in every game were Man City in November/December 1960.

Jørgen Strand Larsen has been involved in four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (3 goals, 1 assist), although he has ended on the losing side in all four games he has scored or assisted. The only other player to score or assist in four games and lose every single game in Premier League history was Watford midfielder Richard Johnson in the 1999-00 season.

Wolves midfielder João Gomes has committed the most fouls in the Premier League this season (20) and only two players have more bookings than he does (4). His yellow card against Man City was his 20th in just 53 appearances, the sixth fewest appearances for a player to receive 20 yellows in Premier League history.

08 Sunday 20  Oct Manchester City H 2pm Sky L1-2 VAR

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 J. Strand Larsen (7')  Manchester City 2 J. Gvardiol (33') J. Stones (90'+5)

Half Time  (WW) 1 ,  (MC) 1

Assists Semedo 7'  MC  JJ. Doku (33'), P. Foden (90'+5 and VAR who didn't show the whole sequence)

Venue: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 31,319

Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c93yv0xewzpt  

Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter at Molineux

John Stones' dramatic stoppage-time winner kept  (MC) in touch with Premier League leaders Liverpool as the champions beat battling Wolves.

The defender's header - in the fifth minute of injury time - was given when referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the goal on review, to the hosts' fury, after it was initially ruled out for offside. Josko Gvardiol had earlier cancelled out Jorgen Strand Larsen's opener for Wolves, who remain winless this season and are bottom of the Premier League. City made the early running at Molineux but were stunned on seven minutes when neat build-up play sent Nelson Semedo away and his brilliant cross, which bypassed four visiting defenders, was tapped in by Strand Larsen. The recalled Jose Sa, replacing the injured Sam Johnstone in goal, denied Bernardo Silva soon after as City controlled the game, but they had to wait until the 33rd minute to level when Gvardiol found the top corner from 20 yards. Yet it did not give them an immediate platform for victory and the visitors were met by an undaunted opponent who denied them space, although only an excellent low save from Sa denied Savinho in first-half stoppage time. Another Sa stop kept Ruben Dias out as City camped in the hosts' half but they were almost caught out by a rare Wolves break, Matheus Cunha shooting wide. Pep Guardiola summoned Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from the bench but City were made to wait until deep into stoppage time to find a winner. Stones headed in Foden's corner, only for Silva to be ruled offside as he was standing in front of Sa, but, with the City players watching on, referee Kavanagh gave the goal to break Wolves' hearts.

More evidence of Wolves' qualities as they search for win - A heartbreaking defeat almost encapsulates Wolves’ season.

Competitive and determined, united and loyal to Gary O'Neil's plan but still unable to hold on for a draw which would have felt like a win. O'Neil had promised Wolves would continue to imprint their identity, leaving everything on the pitch, and prove they are good enough to compete at this level. They have shown that during the 14 months he has been at Molineux and, against  (MC), it was evident again. Grit and determination were there in abundance and, despite a gut-wrenching defeat, there are positives once again. The fans were appreciative of their sides' battling efforts – with Joao Gomes excellent – and any fury was directed to Kavanagh for giving the goal and not awarding Wolves a free-kick before City's flurry of late corners which ultimately led to their winner.  There is no appetite for change at Wolves, despite their winless opening, and there is enough evidence they can survive – although the importance of finding a victory becomes more important by the game.

Overall Possession  WOL22.4% MCI 77.6%

Shots  (WW) 3 (MC) 22

Shots on target  (WW) 2 (MC) 7

Shots off target  (WW) 1 (MC) 7

Blocked shots  (WW) 0 (MC) 8

Total touches in the box  (WW) 4 (MC) 85

Goalkeeper saves  (WW) 5 (MC) 1

Aerial duels won  (WW) 14 (MC) 13

Fouls  (WW) 8 (MC) 5

Corners  (WW) 1 (MC) 18

Team news

 (WW) forward Hwang Hee-chan misses out after injuring his ankle playing for South Korea.  Enso Gonzalez, Sasa Kalajdzic, Yerson Mosquera and Boubacar Traore are still on the sidelines.    (MC) are definitely without Kevin De Bruyne, while Nathan Ake remains a doubt.  Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term injury absentees.

Match facts

Head-to-head

 (MC) have won seven of the past eight league meetings, scoring a total of 25 goals in those games. Their only defeat during that period was by 2-1 at Molineux last season.  Wolves are aiming to win consecutive home league games against City for the first time since a run of three between 1982 and 1996. City have dropped points in three of their six Premier League visits to Molineux.

 (WW) have failed to win any of their opening seven league games for the first time since the 2004-05 Championship season. One point from seven matches is their joint-lowest tally at this stage of a season, along with 1926-27 and 1964-65.  They are looking to avoid six consecutive defeats in all competitions for the first time since February to March 2017 under Paul Lambert.  Wolves are aiming to avoid losing their opening four home games to a season for the first time.  Their only win in the past 17 league fixtures was 2-1 against Luton on 27 April.  Gary O'Neil's side have conceded a league-high 21 goals this season.  They have not kept a clean sheet for 17 league matches since beating Sheffield United on 25 February.  The eight goals they have conceded from set-pieces this season is twice as many as any other top-flight club.  O'Neil could become the first English manager to record multiple Premier League wins against Pep Guardiola.

 (MC) could set a club record of 31 league games without defeat. Only on six occasions in English top-flight history has a side gone more than 30 matches without losing, most recently Liverpool’s run of 44 games from January 2019 to February 2020. City have gone behind in four of their past six top-flight fixtures but they have recovered a league-high 10 points from losing positions this season.  They have avoided defeat in the last 11 league matches in which they’ve trailed (W9, D2), the joint-longest run in the Premier League history along with Arsenal in October 2004. Pep Guardiola’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet in six league games since their 2-0 win at Chelsea on the opening weekend.  Their tally of 21 top-flight goals from outside the penalty area since the start of last season is nine more than any other side. Erling Haaland has scored eight goals in just four league appearances against Wolves, averaging one every 40 minutes. Only one of those goals has come at Molineux.  None of City's last five league goals has been scored by Haaland - he had previously netted eight successive goals for the reigning champions.

International Break Saturday 6-14 October

07 Saturday 5 Oct  Brentford A L5-3 Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cwye92d7xlqt

06 Saturday 28 Sept Liverpool H 5:30pm Sky L1-2  Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cn7yx1gxr8lt

05 Saturday 21 Sept Aston Villa A L3-1 Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/czxdvg7d53pt

CC3 Wed 18 Sept Carabao Cup A Brighton & HA L3-2 7:45 Sky

Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c07ney4yy0kt

04 Sunday 15 Sept Newcastle Utd H L1-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 M. Lemina (36')   Newcastle United 2 F. Schär (75')  H. Barnes (80')

Assists

WW  Strand Larsen (36') NU Bruno Guimarães (75'), J. Willock (80')

Hilites https://www.skysports.com/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-vs-newcastle-united/report/505846

REPORT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c1w7w74991nHILITES Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter

Harvey Barnes' stunning strike maintained Newcastle's unbeaten start after the Magpies came from behind to win at Wolves.  

The winger, on as a substitute, curled in from 20 yards with 10 ' left soon after Fabian Schar had levelled.  

Mario Lemina's first goal since February gave the hosts the lead but Gary O'Neil's side remain winless from their opening four games.

Newcastle started strongly and Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone tipped Jacob Murphy's shot over after the winger burst through, prompting an animated discussion between O'Neil and defender Craig Dawson.  The visitors continued to make the early running and Anthony Gordon hit the post when he ghosted past Nelson Semedo and nutmegged Yerson Mosquera.  But Wolves settled and Lemina put them ahead nine ' before half-time, sweeping in Jorgen Strand Larsen's cross after Joao Gomes' cute dummy.  Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had seen enough and sent on Barnes, Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock for Alexsandar Isak, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton at the break.  Yet the changes failed to have an immediate impact and, after Johnstone saved Bruno Guimaraes' strike, Strand Larsen came close to doubling Wolves' lead when he hit the post after 52 '.   Nick Pope denied Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha but Schar levelled with 15 ' left when his 30-yard effort clipped Craig Dawson and flew in before Barnes' superb goal won it.  Pope denied Cunha a stoppage-time leveller and Barnes could have added a third for Newcastle, only to dink wide with just Johnstone to beat.

Team Lineups

Referee: Chris Kavanagh Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks

WW Manager: Gary O'Neil

Formation:

4 - 4 - 1 - 1

31, S. Johnstone 3, R. Aït-Nouri 63', Yellow Card at 63 ' Carlos Forbs 86', sub4  Carlos Forbs at 86 ' 15, C. Dawson 14, Y. Mosquera 22, Nélson Semedo 70', Yellow Card at 70 '  sub4  M. Doherty at 77 ' 27, J. Bellegarde ' sub4  Hwang Hee-Chan at 71 ' 8, João Gomes 7, André 73', Yellow Card at 73 ' T. Doyle 77', sub4  T. Doyle at 77 ' 5, M. Lemina (c), Captain 10, Matheus Cunha 9, J. Strand Larsen Gonçalo Guedes 86', sub4  Gonçalo Guedes at 86 '

SubsWW 4, S. Bueno 2, M. Doherty 20, T. Doyle 26, Carlos Forbs 29, Gonçalo Guedes 19, Rodrigo Gomes 11, Hwang Hee-Chan 1, José Sá 21, Pablo Sarabia

NU Manager: Eddie Howe

Formation:

4 - 3 - 3

22, N. Pope 20, L. Hall 33, D. Burn 52', Yellow Card 5, F. Schär 21, T. Livramento K. sub4  K. Trippier at 64 ' 7,Joelinton 38', Yellow Card 8 'J. Willock 46', sub4  J. Willock 39, Bruno Guimarães (c), Captain L. Kelly 87', sub4  L. Kelly 36, S. Longstaff S. Tonali 46', sub4  S. Tonali 10 A. Gordon 14, A. Isak H. Barnes 46', sub4  H. Barnes 23, J. Murphy 90'+6, Yellow Card Substitutes

away team,NU

SUBS 24, M. Almirón  11, H. Barnes 1, M. Dúbravka 25, L. Kelly 17, E. Krafth 18, W. Osula 8, S. Tonali  2, K. Trippier 28, J. Willock  

Match Officials Assistant Referee 1: Lee Betts Assistant Referee 2: Richard West Fourth Official:Simon HooperAssistant VAR Official:Timothy Wood

Overall Possession WW 48.7%NU 51.3%

Shots WW 12NU 14

Shots on target WW 5NU 6

Shots off target WW 5NU 4

Blocked shots WW 2NU 4

Total touches in the box WW 27NU 22

Goalkeeper saves WW 4NU 4

Aerial duels won WW 8NU 13

Fouls WW 17NU 6

Corners  WW 4NU 7

Wolves have won just one of their past 13 league fixtures, and are winless in their last six. They’ve lost five of their last six league home games, one more than in their previous 19 at Molineux. They can remain winless in their opening two top-flight home matches for the sixth time in seven seasons.  Wolves have three Brazilian players in the starting XI for the first time ever in the Premier League (Andre, Joao Gomes and Matheus Cunha).

International Break Saturday 1-9 September

CC2 Wed28 Aug Carabao Cup H v Burnley 19:45 W2-0

Reporthttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clyl9d33ylgt:

03 Saturday 31 Aug  Nottingham Forest A D1-1

Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clywn1q8eeqt

02 Sunday 25 Aug Chelsea H 2pm not on tv L2-0

Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cgjvyxxqj11t

01 Saturday  17 Aug Arsenal A L2-0

Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cgjvyxxqj11t

Pre-Season Friendlies

 Home  Sat 5th August Rayo Valecano L0-1

USA

Sat 27 July  Wolves v West Ham. Florida ko midnite UK W 3-1

Wed 31 Jul Wolves v Palace  Maryland ko -01:00 am L 1-3

Sat 03 Aug  Wolves v  Red Bull Leipzig Florida ko 00:30am W3-0

Wolves Allstars fixtures 2020-22

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