Wolves are back to winning ways! After two consecutive defeats, the Old Gold travelled to Turf Moor and did something that apparently requires a special occasion: win a football match. And not just any match, but one against a Burnley side that looks increasingly determined to make going a calendar year without a home league win part of their club identity. Jamie Vardy opened the scoring for the hosts, reminding everyone that age is just a number and that Wolves’ defence can be far too generous at times. Fortunately, Kyle Walker contributed to the festive spirit early by gifting possession away, allowing Fer Lopez to equalise before half-time.
Then, with 18 minutes remaining, Igor produced a touch so dreadful that Tawanda Chirewa could hardly believe his luck. Chirewa took full advantage, looping it over Gregoire Coudert and into the net to complete the turnaround. Burnley offered little in response, while the home crowd made their feelings abundantly clear at full-time. For Wolves, it was a welcome three points and a reminder that sometimes you don’t need to play beautifully when your opponents are willing to help. So, who deserves the credit, who needs to have a long look in the mirror, and who can spend the weekend pretending they meant it all along? Here are our Wolves player ratings.
José Sá – 6/10
A relatively quiet evening for the Portuguese goalkeeper, although Jamie Vardy’s opener meant he couldn’t simply enjoy the Lancashire scenery. He didn’t have a particularly busy night between the sticks, with Burnley struggling to produce much after taking the lead. Not much to blame him for, but not quite enough to hand him a glowing review either.
Jackson Tchatchoua – 6/10
Tchatchoua made a solid enough contribution as Wolves navigated a potentially awkward away fixture. The emphasis was on getting the job done rather than producing a masterclass in full-back artistry. Three points in the bag, and nobody is asking for a tactical documentary about his performance. Sometimes that’s enough.
Nasser Djiga – 6/10
Djiga started alongside Toti in central defence as Wolves struggled to contain Burnley during the opening 45 minutes. The hosts repeatedly found space in dangerous areas, and the centre-backs were forced to deal with wave after wave of pressure. However, Wolves limited the damage to Vardy’s goal and recovered after the break. A reasonable performance in a defence that could certainly have been more comfortable. Wolves got away with plenty in the first half, and there is room for improvement.
Toti Gomes – 4.5/10
Oh, Toti.
The defender’s misplaced pass helped launch the move that led to Burnley’s opening goal. Ramazani intercepted the ball, drove towards the Wolves penalty area and eventually helped create the opportunity that Vardy finished. It was a costly mistake at a time when Wolves were already struggling to get a foothold in the game.
To his credit, Toti remained part of a defensive unit that eventually saw out the victory, but that error deserves criticism. You cannot simply hand the opposition possession in dangerous areas and hope everyone forgets about it. They won’t. We certainly haven’t.
Ghislain Konan – 6/10
Konan came in as Peixoto rotated his defence, replacing Hugo Bueno. Wolves struggled to contain Burnley in the first half, with the hosts finding opportunities through the middle and out wide. We improved after the break, although Burnley still had chances to extend their lead. Konan was substituted late on for Ladislav Krejci, so there wasn’t a full 90 minutes to assess. A steady enough contribution, but this was hardly a defensive masterclass.
André – 7/10
André was the midfield firefighter in this game, constantly mopping up for the defence and putting out fires as Burnley threatened to take control. While others made life unnecessarily difficult, he worked tirelessly to win back possession, cover spaces, and protect a backline that looked shaky throughout the first half. It wasn’t a flashy performance, but his defensive work was invaluable in helping Wolves grind out the win. Sometimes the unsung heroes are the ones doing everyone else’s cleaning up.
Marshall Munetsi – 6/10
Munetsi was another of Peixoto’s changes, coming into the starting XI as Wolves looked for a different balance following the Bolton defeat. Burnley dominated much of the first half, and Wolves needed to improve their intensity and control after the interval. They eventually did enough to turn the match around.
Munetsi deserves credit for being part of a side that dug deep, but the opening 45 minutes were hardly an advertisement for Wolves’ midfield control; he was often sloppy in possession, and his decision-making definitely leaves something to be desired, but at the end of the day, three points are three points, though. We’ll save the tactical revolution for another day.
Fer López – 8/10
López was central to Wolves’ recovery at Turf Moor. His equaliser came five minutes before half-time after Saïd dispossessed Kyle Walker and Neave moved the loose ball into his path. López finished first-time, guiding the ball off the post and into the net. It was a crucial goal. Without it, Wolves would have headed into the break trailing after a first half in which Burnley had created plenty of opportunities.
The Spaniard continued to threaten after the interval, forcing Coudert into a save with a cleverly disguised free-kick that curled around the wall. He was eventually replaced by Tommy Doyle in the 71st minute, but by then he had already made a significant contribution. An excellent attacking display and a major reason Wolves left Turf Moor with something to celebrate.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – 6.5/10
Bellegarde had a lively second half and came close to scoring directly from a corner, forcing Coudert to tip the ball over the bar. He also played a role in a dangerous spell as Wolves threatened from successive corners, with the visitors beginning to put Burnley under pressure. Bellegarde was substituted for Mateus Mané in the 61st minute, but his work helped Wolves build momentum after a difficult first half. A useful performance, particularly after the break. If only Wolves could bottle that second-half energy and remember to bring it to kick-off.
Rafiki Saïd – 7/10
Saïd deserves considerable credit for his contribution to Wolves’ comeback. He dispossessed Walker in the build-up to López’s equaliser, helping turn a Burnley attack into a Wolves goal just before half-time. He was also involved in the move that nearly gave Wolves a two-goal cushion late in the second half. Saïd picked up possession near his own box, evaded two challenges and delivered an excellent outside-of-the-foot cross for Doyle, whose effort went narrowly wide.
That was an impressive piece of play, combining composure, skill, and vision as Burnley began to tire. Now if he could stop going to ground at the slightest breeze, that would be great.
Sean Neave – 5.5/10
A difficult evening for Neave, who barely touched the ball for long periods as Wolves struggled to get a foothold in the first half. To his credit, he did provide the assist for Fer López’s equaliser, reacting quickly to the loose ball and squaring it for the Spaniard to finish. Beyond that, he had little influence before Tawanda Chirewa replaced him. The assist was important, but overall, it was a quiet night for the young forward.
Subs –
Mateus Mané – 7.5/10
Mané came on an hour into the game and helped Wolves take control at a decisive moment. He cut out Igor’s pass in midfield, with the ball falling to Chirewa, who had only just entered the pitch. The academy graduate took one touch towards goal before finishing with his second.
Mané’s intervention was vital. It turned a loose ball into a golden opportunity and helped Wolves secure their first win at Turf Moor in 16 years, an excellent contribution from the bench. Peixoto will be delighted with that change, and Wolves fans will be hoping to see more of Mané’s quality going forward.
Tawanda Chirewa – 8/10
Chirewa had barely stepped onto the pitch before making himself the hero of the evening. The Wolves academy product scored his first senior Wolves goal with his second touch of the game. Igor’s misplaced pass presented the opportunity, but Chirewa still had to take it. He drove towards the Burnley box and finished emphatically, with Coudert’s hand doing little more than redirecting the ball into the net.
It was an outstanding impact from a player who could hardly have asked for a better introduction. Wolves needed a winner; Chirewa delivered it, and suddenly the evening became considerably more enjoyable for everyone driving back down the M6.
Tommy Doyle 5/10
Doyle came off the bench and produced some of the worst shooting of the night. He missed two golden chances to put the game beyond Burnley, including a particularly frustrating close-range opportunity after Saïd’s excellent cross. With Wolves only leading by one, those misses could easily have come back to haunt them.
Thankfully, Chirewa had already done the hard work, because Doyle’s finishing certainly wasn’t helping matters. He’ll be relieved Wolves held on, but he really should have put the game to bed.
Ladislav Krejćí – N/A
Krejci came on for Konan in the 87th minute, leaving little time to make a meaningful impact. Too late for a proper rating, but he helped Wolves see out the final stages.
Hugo Bueno – N/A
Bueno replaced Saïd late on as Peixoto looked to manage the closing stages.
There wasn’t enough time to make an impact, but he showed some nice footwork to keep hold of the ball as Wolves looked to see out the game.
Wolves needed a response after the defeat to Bolton, and they got one. It was far from perfect. Burnley had 11 shots in the first half, Toti’s misplaced pass helped set up the opening goal, and Wolves spent too much of the evening making life difficult for themselves.
But the response was encouraging. López equalised, Saïd produced some excellent attacking moments, Neave supplied a valuable assist, and Chirewa made an immediate impact from the bench. The result also ends Wolves’ 16-year wait for a victory at Turf Moor, giving the travelling supporters a memorable night and moving the team up to sixth in the Championship. There is plenty to improve, especially defensively, but a win is a win.
