ANDREW BENNETT GIVES HIS PLAYER RATINGS FOR WOLVES 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
Not the prettiest performance but grit and determination to get Wolves three points and likely ensure Premier League safety.
JOSE SA - 8
Two special saves from Wolves Portuguese stopper in each half to deny Palace drawing level at Molineux. That being said, he didn’t have the greatest distribution this evening. Particularly in the second half when he launched the ball long to no one on multiple times but the importance of his saves in gaining Wolves the three points can’t be ignored.
HUGO BUENO - 8
Great defensive performance from the Spanish fullback stopping an exciting Olise. Didn’t let the Palace winger create anything and held his own. I was stunned he was brought off 10 minutes from time after a dominant performance.
MAX KILMAN - 8
Solid display from the vice captain, putting his body on the line and clearing cross after cross as Palace piled on the pressure during the second half. Wolves were under pressure for long periods of play and did well to prevent any clear cut chances being created.
CRAIG DAWSON - 8
Arguably our signing of the season bringing an air of calmness to the back line. As with Kilman put his body on the line and won header after header to keep Palace out. Multiple times throughout the second half could be seen leading the back line and making sure the team maintained a compact shape.
NELSON SEMEDO - 7
As with the rest of our starting back line a great performance from Semedo who had a tough task dealing with Eze and Mitchel down his side. Minimised chances in behind and played a great 90 minutes. Lost the ball a couple of times going forward, as did most of the team today especially in the second half as Wolves were pinned back.
MARIO LEMINA - 7
Another great performance from the Gabonese international arriving in January in a Ford Cortina. Got around the pitch and battled well with an experienced Palace midfield.
RUBEN NEVES - 9 & MAN OF THE MATCH
A week of discussion over our club captain given the form of Lemina and Gomes in our last two home matches and for the majority of the first half against Leicester. Neves coming back in from the start showed his pure class, pinging the ball out to the full backs and was all over the pitch. Even closing down the Palace keeper in the first half. Architect of both Wolves goals whipping in a great corner which Anderson turned into his own net and sliding a beautiful penalty into the bottom corner to secure another home victory.
HWANG HEE-CHAN - 6.5
Put in a good shift, running his wing and holding in defensive shape for much of the match. During the first half was offering great support to Semedo dealing with Eze and Mitchell. Should’ve done better in the second half when Costa played him through but it seemed the South Korean couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to get the shot off early enough to danger the Johnstone in goal.
MATHEUS NUNES - 6.5
Putting in a similar performance to Hwang maintaining his positioning and providing good support to the defenders. Didn’t show anything like his past two performances at Molinuex with his wonder goal against Chelsea and phenomenal run against Brentford in the 2-0 win. Put in a shift in a performance where the squad showed character.
MATHEUS CUNHA - 6.5
Didn’t get many chances, brought his team mates into play before being substituted for Joao Gomes in the 68th minute. A good performance from Cunha who in flashes showed his link up quality in a game where there were little chances. Got Anderson yellow carded with an explosive run which likely led to his half time withdrawal.
DIEGO COSTA - 7
A man reborn, looking like the Costa who won Chelsea a premier league title. Great touches and hard running to put the Palace defenders under pressure. Created a few chances for the team in the second half playing in Hwang and running the length of the half to stumble as he attempted to cut back past Guehi. A performance of passion and often got back to help the team is just what Wolves needed this evening.
THE SUBS
Joao Gomes on for Cunha (68) - 6.5
Added energy when Wolves were being forced deep, didn’t do anything of note but assisted the team to get over the line when Palace were dominating.
Adama on for Hwang (79) - 6
Didn’t get up the pitch enough and seemed too deep from the start. He offered a different dynamic for Wolves to get forward and should’ve done better when played in down the left wing as Neves surged into the middle.
Toti on for Bueno (79) - 5
Picked up a booking and let Olise in more than Bueno did the previous 79 minutes, looked nervous but didn’t do anything wrong to cost Wolves the three points. Not his best performance but added an aerial presence against Palace set pieces.
Neto on for Nunes (89) - N/A
Showed good energy coming on hustling his opponents and beating former Albion keeper Johnstone to the ball to win Wolves a penalty and wrap up the three points.
Collins on for Costa (89) - N/A
Didn’t have enough time on the pitch to really do anything made one clearance in stoppage time.
ARTICLE BY ANDREW BENNETT
rom my first Wolves match against Chelsea in 2003 I fell in love with the team and matchday experience. I work in digital marketing and have lived in Germany and Estonia over the past few years, this doesn’t stop me following Wolves and ensuring all my international friends become invested to the Wolf pack. I enjoy football, board games, a pint and travelling always excited to try new things. You will find me in the north bank on a matchday.
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