Wolves fell to defeat at Molineux in the Black Country derby as West Brom came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 and gain a vital three points in their fight for survival. After falling behind to a dubious penalty, Wolves responded well with a much-anticipated goal from open play from Fabio Silva before Willy Boly put the hosts ahead before half time. However, Semi Ajayi brought West Brom level from a long throw after the break before Albion were given their second penalty of the game to put them ahead. Wolves created little in the closing stages of the game and remain without a win in their previous nine league games.
Rui Patricio
A difficult afternoon for the Wolves shot stopper who had two penalties to deal with. In theory, he could do little about any of Albion’s goals and had a relatively quiet afternoon dealing with what the away side had to offer. However, the Portuguese international will perhaps be disappointed to have guessed wrong on both occasions for the spot kicks. 6/10
Nelson Semedo
Semedo did his best when going forwards, aiming to link with Traore and put crosses in whenever possible, none of which came to fruition. Defensively, he could do little about the Albion goals and was about as good as it come on a frustrating afternoon for Wolves. 6/10
Conor Coady
A horrifying afternoon for the Wolves captain who will be desperately disappointed to not make his mark on his first Black Country derby appearance. Coady was caught deep in the first half as Albion had a golden chance to go 2-0 up and never really seemed in control of a weak defensive line. Coady also gave away a lazy foul which resulted in Albion’s winning penalty and was ultimately withdrawn for the first time in a league game under Nuno. 4/10
Willy Boly
An eventful afternoon for the returning Boly who was involved in crucial moments at both ends of the pitch. Boly was rash in giving away a penalty early on, despite the debate over whether the foul was inside the area. The defender seemed keen to make amends and went close on numerous occasions before providing the assist for Fabio Silva’s equaliser and firing home the goal to put Wolves ahead before the break. 6/10
Romain Saiss
Saiss slotted in at left back in what seemed to be a move to combat West Brom’s aerial threat. Despite providing a relatively stern figure at the back, Saiss slowed down various attempts to counter at pace and looked out of position in what is a vitally important role when playing with a 4-man defence. 5/10
Ruben Neves
It was an afternoon to forget for Neves who was marked out of the game by the Albion midfield and struggled to gain a foothold in midfield. He was outmuscled for the equaliser early in the second half and withdraw shortly after as Wolves looked for a way back into the game. 4/10
Leander Dendoncker
Dendoncker once again proved his value to this Wolves side in midfield but also showed his ever-growing weakness in the final third as he had numerous opportunities to give Wolves the lead but failed to take them. 6/10
Joao Moutinho
A disappointing afternoon for Wolves’ veteran midfield maestro as Moutinho failed to gain any dominance in the midfield and created little going forwards. His free kicks were fruitless, and any chances created from corners came from Pedro Neto rather than Moutinho. 5/10
Adama Traore
Another player who failed to exert his quality on the game was Adama Traore. When gaining space down the flanks Traore did not create any clear-cut chances and did not mix his attacking game up as he did with great success in the FA Cup win against Crystal Palace. 5/10
Pedro Neto
Neto once again was Wolves’ biggest threat, looking to get to the by-line whenever possible and make things happen in the penalty area. Neto will perhaps be disappointed to not be involved in the Wolves goals and will have wanted to do more going forwards in the final stages of the game but was not helped by those around him. 6/10
Fabio Silva
A first Wolves league goal from open play for Fabio Silva, an exceptionally well-taken finish much to the delight of his teammates and fans across Wolverhampton. He linked play well particularly in the first half but could not get Wolves back into the game as the home side struggled in the closing stages. 7/10
Subs:
Morgan Gibbs-White
A local lad brought on early on in the second half of this local derby but the recently recalled Gibbs-White failed to make a positive impact on the game. Far too often the young midfielder found himself in possession deep into the Wolves half and failed to fashion a Wolves attack from it with many cross-field balls cut out easily by the Albion defence. 5/10
Rayan Ait-Nouri
Brought more balance to the side as Wolves pressed for an equaliser in the second half but did not see enough of the ball in the closing stages to get forwards and create any clear-cut chances. 5/10
Patrick Cutrone
Squandered Wolves’ only clear-cut chance in the second half as he fired his volley into the ground and over the bar despite finding himself in space in the penalty area. Otherwise, could do little to aid Wolves’ attack in the final stages. 5/10
Ciaran Barker is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.