Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth: A day to forget for Sa as pressure mounts on O'Neilpublished at 19:27 30 November
19:27 30 November
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist at Molineux
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Jose Sa was involved in an altercation with a fan at half-time of Wolves 4-2 loss to Bournemouth
Wolves had come into this match on an unbeaten run of four matches and having gained their best win of the season, a 4-1 success at Fulham a week ago.
But their momentum came to an abrupt halt with a terribly poor performance as they lost 4-2 at home to Bournemouth.
It was also a day to forget for home goalkeeper Jose Sa, who conceded two of the three penalties, all of which were scored by Justin Kluivert as he became the first man since the 1950s to score a hat-trick of penalties in an English top-flight game.
Sa was also involved in an ugly altercation with a home fan at half-time, an incident that led to two supporters be ejected from the stand by the stewards.
The result dropped Gary O'Neil's side back into the relegation zone and put the pressure back on to the boss, with the side booed off at the final whistle.
Some fans also joined in with taunting chants aimed at O'Neil, which had been sung by Bournemouth fans - the side O'Neil was in charge of previously.
'I wouldn't do that if I was on four yellow cards'published at 18:12 30 November
18:12 30 November
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves defender Nelson Semedo, who has now picked up five yellow cards and will be suspended for his side's next match, has been speaking to Premier League Productions: "We weren't hungry enough. We lost all of our duals and we weren't good enough.
"They pressed really well, but we knew that [they would]. We were prepared for that, but it didn't go the way we wanted.
"The way I got the yellow card, I was really mad with the referee. I saw him pointing and I thought it was a goal kick, so I was just clapping for his decision. Suddenly, he gave me a yellow card and he didn't even let me try to explain to him.
"I knew I already had a yellow card, that wouldn't change, but I wanted to say to him: 'No I'm not clapping because you say it's a penalty or whatever. No, it is just because I thought it was a goal kick, that's why'.
"I'm not that sort of player. I know I'm on four yellow cards so I wouldn't do that if I was on four yellow cards."
'I believe this will turn around'published at 18:07 30 November
18:07 30 November
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has been speaking to BBC Sport after the defeat: "Not what we expected before the game. We are in good form and I thought we are better than what we showed today, but that's football. There will be setbacks when you don't expect them.
"The game was ruined after 18 minutes - and that is a shame. We believed though and we came back. We had the momentum but, in a few minutes, it is dead again.
"But we have a new match on Wednesday. We have to learn a lot but I would rather have one game with three or four mistakes than spreading them out and losing many games.
"The last five or six games have been really good. We create chances and score some good goals.
"We are a really good team and I believe this will turn around."
'Crazy penalties to give away'published at 18:03 30 November
18:03 30 November
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves manager Gary O'Neil has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the home defeat: "Incredibly disappointing and self-inflicted. Some crazy errors there, especially early in the game. It is disappointing. The lads are equally disappointed.
"We need to turn our attentions quickly to Wednesday, with a big test against Everton.
"Bournemouth ask you certain questions and unfortunately we didn't find enough answers. Their first goal was from a channel ball, which we worked on for ages, and we didn't deal with it.
"Crazy, crazy penalties to give away. We have to write those off because you can't win games if you concede goals like that. Any error as big as those, at this level, is going to be tough to bounce back from.
"We have given ourselves a mountain to climb, which we haven't done in the last four games.
"We were well-prepped and knew exactly what would happen. Two back passes - crazy back passes. There was no need to play it back at that point, we could have played it forward.
"The [penalty] decisions looked pretty conclusive live."
Sutton's predictions: Wolves v Bournemouthpublished at 11:05 30 November
11:05 30 November
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.
Sutton's prediction: 2-2
Fair play to Wolves boss Gary O'Neil for his side's run of form. They are on a gentler run of fixtures now, after such a tough start to the season, and with two wins and two draws from their past four games it looks like they have turned the corner.
Even so, it is fair to say I did not see Wolves' big win at Fulham coming, but Matheus Cunha is on fire at the moment and will take some stopping here.
I don't think Bournemouth will keep Wolves out but they always create plenty of opportunities themselves. They were unlucky to lose to Brighton last time out, and it was a similar story against Brentford as well.
I am expecting goals in this game too, but this time the Cherries will get a battling point.
Edwards' prediction: 3-1
I always thought Wolves were better than the league table suggested.
Which teams have a 'talisman' to save them?published at 17:32 29 November
17:32 29 November
For teams down at the bottom, some have that player who can save them and others are missing that talisman.
Wolves have got Matheus Cunha. If they can really get him firing, we saw last season how important he was to the team. The goal at Fulham at the weekend was one that affected that result. If Gary O'Neil can get him back to his best, he could be their potential saviour this season.
On the other hand, I do not think Southampton have that player. They relied heavily on Adam Armstrong in the Championship for goals, but I do not think he brings the same qualities we saw last season when he was able to get a consistent run of goals. Yes, Southampton are a great possession-based team but they do not have that player that will get 20 goals.
With Ipswich, they have got Liam Delap with all his attributes and they also have Omari Hutchinson too who can contribute towards the goalscoring the team needs.
When I look at Everton, I do not see them having that talisman, that player that is going to get you the goals, but as a team they have a knowhow in the Premier League. That is so important when you are fighting at the bottom. That is what Everton collectively as a team and boss Sean Dyche know how to do.
Crystal Palace have got Jean-Phillippe Mateta, they have got Eddie Nketiah, there is Ebere Eze too if they can keep him fit, so I am not worried for them. They have got a lot of injuries which has not helped and they lost two key players in the summer, but I think they have enough. If they can get players back fit, they can go on a run again like we saw at the end of last season.
And then there is Leicester. They have only really got Jamie Vardy who is ageing but does know how to score goals in the Premier League. They are struggling and I feel out of the teams battling relegation, it is Leicester and Southampton who have not got a talisman that can save them.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola
'One of those guys you root for'published at 15:15 29 November
15:15 29 November
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves head coach Gary O'Neil said he is "really pleased with the progression" made by versatile defender Toti Gomes, who was Wolves' only fit recognised centre-back for last weekend's impressive 4-1 win at Fulham.
Toti mainly played rugby during his childhood and only seriously got into football during his teenage years, but now the 25-year-old is a regular starter for the Premier League club and made his senior debut for Portugal last season.
"He had the physical attributes to allow him to play at Premier League level, no doubt. He was quick enough and strong enough," said O'Neil.
"We had to work on some of his understanding of defending, how to defend some spaces - and we're still working hard on that stuff. And the big thing was trying to get him to a better level with the ball - not technically, because technically he's capable - but just trying to give him better pictures that were clearer for him and give him a better understanding.
"The real trump card Toti has is that everything you give him, he will literally keep trying until you blow the whistle and tell him to go. He'll keep doing it for as long as he can and he'll keep trying to get better.
"He's a great lad to have in the group, the lads and the coaching staff love him. He's one of those guys you root for.
"When you see him doing well, because of the journey he's been on, you are really pleased for him. If he has a bad game, everyone is really disappointed for him because we know how hard he's worked and how well he wants to do.
"He gets a lot of support, as do all of the players. I support all of them with everything I have to try to get them into a place where they feel comfortable to be able to perform, but they still feel enough of that pressure that they know they need to [perform well]. Hopefully we're in that sweet spot at the moment."
O'Neil on Lemina in defence, Cunha and a strong team environmentpublished at 14:15 29 November
14:15 29 November
Phil Cartwright BBC Sport journalist
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Pablo Sarabia, Craig Dawson and Santiago Bueno are all available after missing the win at Fulham through injury. O'Neil also expects goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to be part of the matchday squad.
Captain Mario Lemina impressed at centre-back alongside Toti Gomes at Fulham, with Dawson and Bueno absent. "I think he can play there. It was a decent discovery for us, with the injury to Yerson Mosquera and some other factors that have led to us being a little bit short in that area. To be as good as he was in a centre-back partnership of just two was very impressive."
O'Neil has "zero concerns" about in-form forward Matheus Cunha potentially being a target for other clubs in January. Asked if there was a scenario when an answer to an enquiry would be anything but 'no', O'Neil replied: "Matheus won't leave in January, definitely not."
On Bournemouth: "They'll be a tough test. They press the most in the league, they're incredibly direct and play a lot of long balls. They play forward and test your resilience. We're four unbeaten but desperate to make it five."
O'Neil spoke about the importance of a strong team environment at the club: "Myself and Matt [Hobbs, sporting director] discuss it a lot and one of the first things I said is that every signing we make needs to fit the culture. I spoke about playing for Wolves when I first arrived - you have to earn the right to wear the shirt. It's a big club and supporters spend a lot of money, time and energy giving everything to support the club."
He continued: "To just have people pulling the shirt on because they're here doesn't sit right with me. We are trying to make sure that every signing we make has quality, is a really good person, is able to work and be pushed, and can fit into what we've already built."
Wolves should 'not be tempted to cash in' on star playerspublished at 12:37 28 November
12:37 28 November
Image source, PA Media
We asked you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at Wolves.
Here are some of your comments:
Chris: In our past four games, we had the rub of the green: Brighton - messed up a four-on-one chance. Palace - winning "goal" chalked off, could have been given. Southampton - fouls in build-up to second goal, lucky with first goal. Fulham: Jimenez miss, hit woodwork three times, down to 10 men. Fortuitous.
Bigtoeash: No one is talking how bad the stadium is looking now that Wolves have put a couple of wins together and are unbeaten in four. All the talk is how good the performances have been.
Chris: If we are to keep heading up the league table we will need to hold on to the players who are making things happen and not be tempted to cash in on the rising values of them. If we do, we will almost certainly fall back into a relegation scrap. If we fail to learn the lesson of selling our best players over the past three or four years, we deserve to go down.
Wolves v Bournemouth: Did you know?published at 11:54 28 November
11:54 28 November
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves' Premier League games have seen 48 goals so far this season, more than any other side.
Their 20 goals scored is the most they have managed at 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).
What's the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 16:57 27 November
16:57 27 November
Two wins in two, unbeaten in four, and outside of the relegation zone - things seems to be looking up for Gary O'Neil's side after their poor start to the season.
Matheus Cunha's performances are catching the eye and favourable fixtures are on the horizon ahead.
But what is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad - that should be on the Molineux agenda?
'Necessity breeds invention'published at 11:54 27 November
11:54 27 November
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The spirit of Saturday's resounding win at Fulham is best captured by a moment in added time at 3-1.
Gary O'Neil has just made a group substitution to refresh for the final minutes. Eight Wolves players are within a few strides of Fulham's Harry Wilson as he probes their penalty area with a short pass. Mario Lemina intercepts, but rather than thinking of keeping possession to use up time, he sprints forward, in a direct line towards Fulham's goal. Others join the charge and 80 yards, two passes and 12 seconds later, Wolves have scored again.
This felt like a thrilling escape from tactical norms, but you could conclude that there was an impeccable logic to this, and many of Wolves' other choices at Craven Cottage.
Even before Saturday, Wolves were – with 16 goals in 11 games – scoring at a faster rate than in any of the six full seasons since they were promoted in 2018. They were obviously struggling to defend, even before the injuries that left them with only one fit centre-back. But, at root, the object of the game is not to stop the opposition scoring, but to score more than they do, so when they got a chance they took a punt.
The plan was no doubt far more nuanced than that, but could never have worked in a team that was not convinced it could. There have been reasonable criticisms this season but, throughout, O'Neil and his players have publicly insisted their belief in themselves and each other to improve is unshaken. Saturday's performance, and approach, supported those claims.
It helps, obviously, to have a forward in such inspirational form as Matheus Cunha, but he could not have operated alone. He combined effectively with Rodrigo Gomes, Jorgen Strand Larsen and, in particular, Joao Gomes. Lemina, out of position, had arguably his most influential game of the season, both defending and creating.
There is much still to do. Wolves' position remains perilous and their playing resources limited. They still have many more points to gain to fortify themselves against another run of tough fixtures in midwinter.
There were unusual circumstances for the Fulham game, with so many defenders missing, but they found a method that might serve them well. Necessity breeds invention, but this leading-with-the-chin style, backing their strengths, shows promise.
Craig Dawson and Santiago Bueno might, said O'Neil, be ready to play next weekend - "But," he grinned, "it's a tough team to get in now!"
'Dive' into photos of the weekpublished at 21:46 26 November
21:46 26 November
Henry Brownsey BBC Sport journalist
As Ed Sheeran made some headlines this week.
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United fans hope Ruben Amorim will be 'The Man' but he was hoping for more points than just 'One'.
Image source, Getty Images
Leicester are looking for a 'New Man' as Cooper's reign lasted 157 days.
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves' ended their 'Bad Habits' with their first away win since February.
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham achieved a nearly 'Perfect' performance and an even better 'Photograph'.
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool fans wonder what life could be like without the 'Shape of You'.
Image source, Getty Images
Despite Alexander Isak not asking the Newcastle fans to 'Give me Love' they clearly showed that they 'Remember the Name.'
Image source, Getty Images
And the Toon Army will be hoping Monday's loss was just a 'Small Bump'.
Image source, Getty Images
'Lemina led by example'published at 12:38 26 November
12:38 26 November
Dazzling Dave Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
When I heard on Saturday morning that Santi Bueno and Craig Dawson were unavailable, I braced myself for the worst. But what unfolded at Craven Cottage turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable afternoon.
While the spotlight was on Matheus Cunha, Mario Lemina also deserves plaudits for his remarkable performance. Typically known for his role at the heart of midfield - breaking up play, making powerful tackles, and threading creative passes - Lemina found himself stepping in at centre-back. And he excelled in the role.
Lemina led by example, defending tirelessly to shield Jose Sa's goal while driving the team forward with composure. His leadership and adaptability were on full display as he seamlessly transitioned into the makeshift defensive role, looking like a natural in the position.
In his post-match interview, Cunha cheekily suggested Lemina should play centre-back more often, and it is hard to disagree. The performance was reminiscent of Nuno Espirito Santo's decision to transform Conor Coady from a midfielder into a ball-playing centre-back - a shift that became pivotal for Wolves. Similarly, Lemina showcased his ability to distribute the ball creatively from deep, including a sumptuous assist for Cunha's first goal.
Special mentions must also go to Andre and Joao Gomes, who both put in tireless shifts. Their energy contributed to the defensive improvement and also added flair to some slick attacking play, offering a much-needed boost after recent struggles.
What stood out most at Craven Cottage, however, was the team's collective spirit.
For Wolves fans, there is nothing more important than seeing a team fighting for the badge. When players show commitment and passion, they earn something priceless from the fans - love and loyalty.
Raul Jimenez received a heartfelt reception over the weekend, a reminder of what that bond means. If the current squad continues to perform with this kind of grit, a few more heroes will surely emerge.
Thanks to this unity and determination, Wolves now find themselves outside the relegation zone and Gary O'Neil might just be orchestrating an incredible escape.
Image source, Reuters
