Wolves extended its unbeaten run to five Premier League matches with a 2-0 home victory over Southampton after late goals from Ivan Cavaleiro and Jonny.
Cavaleiro came off the bench to score on his first top-flight appearance after combining with Raul Jimenez 11 minutes from time. Three minutes before the end, Jonny also opened his Wolves account to seal the points.
Southampton was resilient in defence but offered very little in attack as its poor start of the season continued – it has now won only one of its opening seven league games.
Wolves created the better chances throughout but could not find a way past Alex McCarthy until the dramatic finale, while Danny Ings, returning to the Southampton side after missing the defeat to parent side Liverpool last weekend, struggled to get involved.
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A relatively quiet first half saw few chances for either side although McCarthy was tested by Jonny's strike to finish a swift attacking move from the hosts, while Rui Patricio was on guard at the other end to deny Mohamed Elyounoussi from close range.
Jimenez, seeing very little of the ball in a game largely contested in the middle third of the field, tested McCarthy shortly before the interval with a low first-time strike inside the area but will feel he could have connected better with his shot.
Nuno looked to the bench for inspiration early in the second half with the introduction of Adama Traore but it was only when Cavaleiro was introduced that the hosts found the breakthrough.
Jannik Vestergaard failed to deal with Traore's low cross into the box and Jimenez pounced on the loose ball, teeing a pass to Cavaleiro that the number seven tucked home with ease just 94 seconds after coming on.
Any chance of a late fightback from Southampton was then ended as Matt Doherty's run into the area and cut back was pounced on by Jonny, the wing-back firing home from close range.
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What it means: Wolves making history
A five-match unbeaten streak for Wolves for the first time in the top flight since 1981 continues a fine start to life in the Premier League for Nuno's men, whose only defeat came against Leicester in August.
Southampton, meanwhile, needs a significant improvement if it is to avoid another relegation scrap this term. For all its neat and tidy football, it is struggling for a cutting edge in attack.
Jimenez leading the line
It could have easily been a frustrating day for Mexico striker Jimenez as the game only really opened up for Wolves in the latter stages but he was eventually rewarded for his efforts, pouncing on the loose ball to feed Cavaleiro to break the deadlock - one of his three key passes in the match. Now with two goals and two assists from seven games, he has slotted into Nuno's side excellently.
Jota's day to forget
With 17 goals in the Championship last season, Diogo Jota looked like he would be a key part of Wolves' return to the Premier League. Seven games in, he is yet to be involved in a single goal and was hooked early in the second period, conceding possession on 13 occasions. With Cavaleiro returning to fitness and providing an instant impression, Jota needs to improve significantly if he is to retain his starting spot.
Key Opta stats
- Wolves is now unbeaten in five league matches (W3 D2 L0), its best run in the top-flight since November 1981 (also five unbeaten).
- Southampton has taken just 13 points from a possible 45 under Mark Hughes in the Premier League (P15 W3 D4 L8).
- This was only Wolves' 10th Premier League victory by more than one goal, and its first since winning 3-1 against Wigan Athletic in November 2011.
- Three of the five players to score on their Premier League debuts this season have been playing for Wolves (Ruben Neves, Jimenez and Cavaleiro).
- Southampton is winless in seven Premier League games against newly-promoted opposition, losing each of its last two.
- Wolves is only the third team in Premier League history to name the same starting XI for its opening seven games of a season, after Leeds United in 1992-93 and Aston Villa in 2008-09.
What's next?
Under-pressure Southampton faces a stern text next Sunday when it hosts Chelsea but will first get a break from its top-flight struggles when it travels to Everton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Wolves, meanwhile, will look to extend its fine run away to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
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