Wolves were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Molineux in their first Championship game of the season, with Raul Jiménez rescuing a point from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time. Marshall Munetsi had given Wolves the lead after a brilliant Fer Lopez pass, but Sean McLoughlin levelled before Andri Gudjohnsen put Blackburn ahead shortly after half-time.
Despite plenty of possession and chances, Wolves struggled to find a way through a stubborn Blackburn side, leaving Jiménez to produce the late drama and spare everyone an extremely awkward opening-day post-match discussion.
Dan Bentley – 6/10
Wasn’t exactly overworked but Blackburn managed to score twice, which is generally considered less than ideal for a goalkeeper. Made a couple of decent saves from distance in the second half but couldn’t do much about either goal. Made a solid save after the equaliser to make sure Wolves took the point away.
Kieran Trippier – 6/10
A relatively quiet league debut. Offered his usual experience and quality on the ball but didn’t have quite the impact going forward that Wolves would have wanted. Replaced by Tchatchoua in the second half.
Yerson Mosquera – 6/10
Solid enough for large parts of the game but Wolves’ defence never looked completely convincing. Blackburn found space too easily at times, and Mosquera was part of a backline that somehow managed to make a team that scored twice look like world-beaters. Bonus point for fighting through the pain towards the end of the game, as he was clearly in pain and Wolves had used all their subs.
Toti Gomes – 5/10
Nothing disastrous, but nothing particularly inspiring either. Wolves needed their centre-backs to take control once Blackburn went ahead, and that never really happened. He’s not captain material in my opinion (which doesn’t count for much), and he does nothing to calm the nerves when he’s marshalling the defence.
David Møller Wolfe – 5/10
One of the more uncomfortable Wolves performances. Blackburn targeted his side repeatedly, and he struggled to deal with the threat, particularly when the visitors looked to get crosses into the box.
André – 6/10
Did plenty of the sensible stuff in midfield but Wolves lacked control after half-time. Blackburn began finding gaps, and André couldn’t stop the momentum from shifting. Flashbacks from last season.
Marshall Munetsi – 8/10
One of Wolves’ best players. Took his goal brilliantly after Lopez’s outrageous through ball and nearly grabbed a second later in the game. Worked hard throughout and was one of the few players who consistently looked dangerous.
Rodrigo Gomes – 6/10
Had moments without ever really taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Wolves needed more attacking threat from the wide areas, and Gomes couldn’t quite provide it before being replaced.
Fer López – 8/10
Another hugely encouraging performance from the young Spaniard. His assist for Munetsi was absolutely sensational, and he looked comfortable trying to make things happen between the lines.
Also came close with a curling effort before half-time. The talent is clearly there. Now all we need is for Wolves to stop making him carry the creative burden like he’s prime Kevin De Bruyne.
Mateus Mané – 7/10
One of Wolves’ more dangerous attackers. His first touch and ability to carry the ball caused Blackburn problems, although his finishing let him down when chances came his way; he needs to stop shooting from outside the box at every opportunity. Looked lively throughout and deserved more from the game.
Adam Armstrong – 5.5/10
Worked hard but didn’t get enough service in dangerous areas. Had a couple of efforts blocked and fired wide after half-time, but ultimately struggled to make the same impact he had against Port Vale.
Subs
Raúl Jiménez – 8/10
The Hollywood script was apparently compulsory. Introduced in the 60th minute and, after Wolves had spent most of the second half failing to find an equaliser, Jiménez stepped up in stoppage time and calmly converted from the spot to rescue a point.
He didn’t have a huge amount of time to influence the game, but when Wolves needed someone to take responsibility, the returning hero did exactly that.
Jackson Tchatchoua – 7/10
Made an immediate impact after coming on, and his powerful run down the left ultimately helped create the late penalty. A very useful cameo.
Pedro Lima – 6/10
Didn’t have long enough to really influence the game.
Tommy Doyle – 6/10
Also had limited time after coming on, with Wolves desperately chasing the equaliser.
Tawanda Chirewa – 6/10
Another late substitute who couldn’t really get into the game.
Wolves will definitely be feeling like they’ve got away with one here. There were plenty of positives, particularly the performances of Munetsi, López and Mané, but conceding twice at home to Blackburn and needing a stoppage-time penalty to avoid defeat against a side tipped to struggle is hardly the promotion statement anyone had in mind.
The Championship has provided Wolves with a fairly brutal welcome back. At least Jiménez has already remembered where the goal is.
