Gary O'Neil can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their first win of the 2024-25 Premier League season on Saturday, defeating fellow strugglers Southampton 2-0 on matchday 11 in a result that could prove pivotal in the relegation battle this campaign.
Wolves made the perfect start to the match, taking the lead inside two minutes when Matheus Cunha seized a loose ball just inside the Southampton half, drove towards the box, and played a reverse pass into the path of Pablo Sarabia, who rounded the keeper and slotted it into the empty net.
The visitors thought they had equalised just 10 minutes later when Ryan Manning struck into the top corner after a scramble inside the box, but VAR ruled out the goal for a foul in the build-up, as Mateus Fernandes was deemed to have bundled over Nelson Semedo inside the box, keeping Wolves' lead intact.
Southampton dominated possession with 71% of the ball in the first 45 minutes but failed to create any moments of real quality, while Wolves looked dangerous whenever given the chance to counter, but the 1-0 scoreline ultimately remained heading into the break.
The hosts came out strong after the restart, pressing Southampton deep in their half and winning the ball back several times, and after missing multiple opportunities, Wolves eventually doubled their lead when Cunha scored a stunning, looped strike into the far left corner, giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance.
Southampton continued to push for a lifeline as the game marched towards its end, but the Old Gold held firm, eventually securing their first league clean sheet of the season as the score stayed 2-0.
The result sees Wolves climb to 18th in the table, just a point behind 17th-placed Crystal Palace, while it leaves Russell Martin's side as the basement dwellers, still without a point on the road this season.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. SOUTHAMPTON HIGHLIGHTS
Pablo Sarabia goal vs. Southampton (2nd min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Southampton)
© Imago
Dream start for Wolves, Sarabia opens the scoring inside two minutes!
Cunha collects the ball after Kyle Walker-Peters's loose header just inside the Southampton half, driving into a more central area and towards the Saints' box.
The Brazilian plays a brilliant reverse pass into Sarabia's path inside the penalty area, and the Spaniard's first touch takes the ball past the keeper before calmly placing it into the open net, giving Wolves an early lead.
Matheus Cunha goal vs. Southampton (51st min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Southampton)
© Imago
That is sensational from Cunha, 2-0 to Wolves!
Craig Dawson wins the ball back just inside his own half and quickly plays it into the feet of Mario Lemina, with the midfielder quickly turning and feeding the ball to Cunha, who has found space outside the Southampton box.
The forward takes two touches to turn towards goal, moving slightly to the right of centre, and sends a looped strike towards the far left corner, curling away from Ramsdale and into the net - superb from Wolves' talisman.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MATHEUS CUNHA
© Imago
Cunha is widely regarded as Wolves' main man, and he certainly stepped up to the plate today, assisting the opener before scoring a stunner to seal the Old Gold's first three points of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The forward was a constant threat to Southampton's defence, registering two key passes and creating one big chance, while also delivering one cross, three long balls and two successful dribbles.
Despite being the side's luxury star, the Brazilian is certainly no stranger to doing the dirty work, winning four duels and making one tackle to help Wolves secure their first clean sheet in the league.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. SOUTHAMPTON MATCH STATS
Possession: Wolverhampton Wanderers 30%-70% Southampton
Shots: Wolverhampton Wanderers 8-7 Southampton
Shots on target: Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 Southampton
Corners: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-9 Southampton
Fouls: Wolverhampton Wanderers 13-12 Southampton
BEST STATS
01:48 - Pablo Sarabia's strike after 108 seconds is Wolves' fastest ever goal scored from the start of a Premier League match. Brisk. #WOLSOU pic.twitter.com/W4BIfj6cmp
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 9, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
After finally securing their much-needed first Premier League win of the 2024-25 season, Wolves will have to wait until after the November international break to build on that result when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
As for Southampton, today's result marks a staggering ninth league defeat in just 11 matches, and they face a tough run of fixtures after the break as they come up against Liverpool, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Ellis Stevens
