Liam berry gives his match report on wolves 1-0 Southampton
Wolves secure their first three points of the season with a win against Southampton.
Going into this game, Wolves boasted a great record against Southampton, having beaten them three times in a row, and were hoping for history to repeat itself at Molineux
With Bruno Lage looking for a more direct approach than the one against Bournemouth, new striker Sasa Kalajdzic was thrown straight into the action after signing just three days prior, as well as dropping Goncalo Guedes and impressive Nelson Semedo to the bench.
A late change to the bench was made, Chem Campbell replaced Raul Jimenez who sustained a groin injury, and it’s thought that Lage did not want to risk aggravating that injury.
Wolves didn’t get off to the greatest of starts, and Southampton looked to be in control of the game, holding most of the possession and putting pressure on a defence that has been so solid this season.
Despite this lacklustre start, Wolves still held their threat on the counter-attack.
A quick break saw Wolves outnumber Southampton, and while Matheus Nunes unfortunately got the ball caught under his feet, it still fell to Pedro Neto whose shot was just wide.
An important block from Ruben Neves stopped a low cross from Che Adams, with Joe Aribo lurking in the box.
A vital interception from Jonny to stop a clear goal-scoring opportunity for Southampton gave Wolves a chance to hit the Saints on the break. And it was a chance which they took.
Neves spread the play out to Neto on the wing, who saw Nunes’ run and played a through ball which allowed his Portuguese compatriot to provide a first-time low cross to Daniel Podence who was there to dink it home.
The goal came at the perfect time, putting Wolves in front right before the break.
A halftime substitution saw Kalajdzic’s debut cut short after he sustained an injury, with Goncalo Guedes the man to replace him.
At the start of the second half, Wolves were utilising the link-up play of Neto and Nunes on the right hand side and looked to be growing into the game, as well as Jonny who was right back to his best in the second 45.
At the other end a free-kick conceded right on the edge of the Wolves box left Molineux with their hearts in their mouths, but thankfully set piece specialist James Ward-Prowse’s attempt was straight at Jose Sa.
This didn’t stop Southampton from having their own chances to score, with a goal disallowed when Adams hand-balled from two yards when he had an open goal, and then heading against the crossbar shortly afterwards.
Wolves were also still threatening, and a pocket of space opened up for Jonny to invert his run, which saw a shot from distance whisker inches wide.
There was an element that Wolves rode their luck but for the most part, the defence were once again extremely solid and managed to see out the game to secure the 1-0 win.
Wolves now sit 14th after what has been a below-par start to the season, but at least now have a victory under their belts ahead of the daunting back-to-back fixtures with Liverpool and Manchester City.
article by Liam berry
I am a life long Wolves fan that is passionate for the club. I am a sixth form student who loves writing about things I love!