watch for dazzling dave's thoughts on wolves defeat to palace
A Night of Two Halves: Respect Where It’s Due
Despite the disappointing result, it’s important to acknowledge a few things. First off, fair play to the Wolves fans who made the long trip down to London on a Tuesday night. Their support was loud and clear, and it’s always appreciated.
Secondly, you have to give credit to Crystal Palace. Fresh off their FA Cup win, their fans are absolutely buzzing, and that winning feeling clearly translated onto the pitch. As Dazzling Dave said, “I think it’s good for football,” when smaller clubs achieve such success – something Wolves fans can only dream of!
First-Half Frustrations: Where Was the Identity?
The first 45 minutes were a real struggle for Wolves. Dazzling Dave described the start as “timid,” and it didn’t take long for Palace to take control.
Wolves did manage to score from a corner, briefly taking the lead, but the joy was short-lived. Rodrigo Gomes was dispossessed, leading to Palace’s equaliser, and then the Palace attack cut through the Wolves defence far too easily to make it 2-1.
Vitória Pereira couldn’t have been happy at half-time. He talked about the Brighton game lacking “fire,” and in the first half against Palace, Wolves looked like they were “on the beach.” They lacked a clear identity and struggled to match Palace’s intensity.
Second-Half Improvement (Sort Of) and the Stats Don’t Lie
Pereira made changes at half-time, bringing on Semedo and Joao Gomes. For a period, Wolves did look better, but they still conceded two more goals.
Palace’s third came from a deflected free-kick. Wolves responded with a header from Jorgen Strand Larsson, his 14th goal of the season. Then, Palace sealed the win with a clinical counter-attack, exposing Wolves’ defensive frailties again.
While the scoreline tells one story, the stats paint a slightly different picture:
| Statistic | Wolves | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 68.4% | 31.6% |
| Corners | 10 | 0 |
| xG | 1.59 | 1.65 |
| Shots | 12 | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 10 |
Wolves dominated possession and corners, but Palace were far more clinical, getting ten shots on target compared to Wolves’ three. That, as Dazzling Dave pointed out, was the key difference.
Goalkeeping Contrast & Defensive Naivety
Another telling statistic was the difference in saves made by the two goalkeepers. Wolves’ Bentley made six saves, while Palace’s Henderson only had one save to make (a good one off a shot from Guedes).
Ultimately, Wolves’ defensive naivety cost them dearly. Palace were able to cut through the defence far too easily, and Pereira looked visibly frustrated on the bench.
Summer of Change: Key Concerns & Potential Departures
This game highlighted several problems that need addressing this summer. Wolves have consistently struggled against teams like Crystal Palace and Brighton, and that needs to change.
Several players could also be on their way out. Semedo is out of contract, and if both wing-backs leave, Wolves will need to bring in some quality replacements. There’s also the potential departure of Cunha to consider, meaning the club will need to invest in the forward line.
Man of the Match & Performance Rating
Dazzling Dave admitted he struggled to pick a Man of the Match for Wolves. What do you think? Who was your standout player?
As for his performance rating, he gave the team a 5 out of 10. He was disappointed with the first half and how easily Palace were able to score.
On a lighter note, his Parkside Dental Care moment that made him smile was when the Wolves fans sang about Manchester United when Cunha was about to come on. It left him questioning why Cunha would even want to go to Man United, given their current situation.
Concluding Thoughts & Appreciation
Despite the defeat, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Wolves are safe in the Premier League, and Pereira has done a good job overall.
Congratulations to Crystal Palace on their fantastic season and FA Cup win. It’s great to see them doing so well!
Finally, a massive thank you to the Wolves fans for their incredible support, especially those who travelled to the game on a Tuesday night. Your dedication is truly appreciated.
Now it’s your turn! Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know who your Man of the Match was.