Few aspects of football are more satisfying than a crisp goal hit on the volley with some of the most iconic goals coming in this fashion. Written by Gabriel Mills.
While Zidane, Van Basten or Scholes may come to the minds of many fans when picturing the sweetest volley, Wolves can boast a catalogue of special goals of their own since promotion in 2018.
Honourable mentions
Firstly, both Alex Rae and Dave Jones scored superb volleys which would place but miss out due to the timeframe of this list, as does Ruben Neves’ belter against Derby in 2018.
Romain Saiss’ tidy finish away at Brighton and Daniel Podence’s goal away at Everton both narrowly missed out despite both showcasing inch-perfect assists by Neves and Moutinho respectively.
Leander Dendoncker also misses out for his winner against Fulham in our final match at Molineux in the 2018/2019 season, this goal would seal our 7th place finish in our first season back in the Premier League.
10 – Adama Traore vs Spurs (2022/2023)
A mixture of a gritty defensive performance, elements of good fortune and a stunning winner meant Wolves took a huge leap towards safety following this 1-0 win at home to Tottenham.
Spurs hit the woodwork twice as Wolves had to dig in to keep the visitors out before Traore, who was substituted on at half time, took centre stage.
A shot from Jimenez was parried out as far as the Spanish winger before a Paolo Di Canio-esque jump and volley sent the ball into the top corner and slamming the bar on the way in only added to the sweetness of the goal.
9 – Raul Jimenez vs Watford (2018/2019)
The chest down, the goal, the mask celebration, the occasion, this should’ve been an all-timer in terms of Wolverhampton Wanderers moments.
Instead, this game is painfully pushed to the back of every Wolves fans head in an attempt to forget the events that followed on the Wembley pitch.
Despite heading into the final fifteen minutes of an FA Cup semi final 2-0 up, Wolves failed to hold their lead and let Watford level the scores before conceding again in extra time, leaving fans and players heartbroken.
The sheer quality of the Mexican’s goal still remains through the repressed memory of that day in London, the chest down and expertly finished volley inside the box deserves its spot but it could, and should have meant more than that.
8 – Raul Jimenez vs Burnley (2019/2020)
One of the most memorable Wolves goals during the behind-closed-doors Covid football era, a strange sentence to write looking back.
Despite the absence of fans, this was a top finish from a striker in the middle of the best season of his career.
After a Matt Doherty effort was blocked, the ball sat up for Raul who had to quickly set himself before arrowing the ball into the side-netting of the goal to make it 1-0.
Unfortunately this is another goal that is stained by the final stages of the game, a dubious penalty was awarded to Burnley in injury time to steal two points away from Wolves, a win would’ve kept dreams of a top six finish very much alive.
7 – Adama Traore vs Preston (2022/2023)
One of the more forgotten goals to make this list but Adama Traore’s League Cup second round strike is an explosive one nonetheless.
Following a Jimenez opener, Adama doubled the lead with a special volley on his weaker left foot after a smart give-and-go with Nelson Semedo just inside the box.
There was nothing weak about his shot however, arrowing into the far-top corner catching the roof of the net on its way in.
6 – Diogo Jota vs FC Pyunik Yerevan (2019/2020)
A goal in the Europa League from a player who excelled for Wolves in this competition, Jota’s goal capped off a ruthless 4-0 win against Armenian opposition in style.
The Portuguese picked the ball up 40 yards from goal before driving forward in his usual fashion.
A pass into Jimenez followed by a smart flick over the top back to Jota set the stage for a wonderfully executed overhead kick which nestled into the far corner, Wolves announced themselves on the European stage that day.
5 – Pablo Sarabia vs Tottenham (2023/2024)
One of the most memorable late goals at Molineux was due to the pure technical elegance on show by Pablo Sarabia.
After being substituted onto the pitch moments earlier at 1-0 down, the Spaniard took control of a ball over the top in the box with a perfect touch on his right before slamming home with his left into the near post.
An extraordinary goal but to do it in the 90th minute is remarkable, even before you relive his assist for the eventual winner, six minutes later.
A ‘super sub’ label does not do him justice, Molineux has experienced few days like that one.
4 – Pedro Neto vs West Ham (2019/2020)
One of the cleanest connections you’ll see on the volley courtesy of Pedro Neto.
Another strike in a game behind closed doors which deserved a crowd to be witnesses of such a special goal.
After launching an attack late in the game through Adama Traore, Wolves were chasing a second goal to seal a win at the London Stadium.
A looping cross from the right to the back post from Matt Doherty invited the Portuguese to take on the volley.
An invitation taken with perfect technique to strike it pure and true, flashing the ball into the top corner to put the game to bed in fabulous fashion.
3 – Jonny Otto vs Leeds United (2022/2023)
A peculiar goal in a peculiar game but an absolute screamer all the same to take a bronze medal spot.
Wolves sat 3-0 down at home to relegation-threatened Leeds when a long ball required action from opposition goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
The Frenchman rushed beyond his box to head the ball away from danger before Marc Roca’s attempted pass was hit into the path of Jonny who had one thought in his mind.
Forty yards out, the fullback caught the ball just right to lift it high with enough power to beat Meslier whose efforts to return to the unguarded goal in time were not enough.
The furthest goal in the Premier League for six years at the time, winner of Goal of the Month but another goal in a game that Wolves fans would rather not remember, Leeds ran out 4-2 victors and Jonny Otto saw red twenty minutes after his wonder-strike.
2 – Matheus Nunes vs Chelsea (2022/2023)
Taking the silver medal is a sensational strike from a chance that had no right to be taken on.
Matheus Nunes scored just once in his time at Wolves but there are few goals I have seen with a better connection than the midfielder’s winner against Chelsea at Molineux in a crucial game to edge towards safety under Julen Lopetegui.
A Podence cross from the left was headed up and out towards the right hand side of the box line, bouncing once and in the blink of an eye, Nunes had sent a missile into the far side netting.
It was one of those moments that sent Molineux into disbelief, the goal of his dreams in a game that Chelsea were kept at bay for an important 1-0 win.
Matheus Nunes is far from a fan favourite among followers of the Black County club but I’m willing to look past his unsavoury exit for now to appreciate his thumping rocket of a volley.
1 – Ruben Neves vs Espanyol (2019/2020)
Despite the difficulty of ranking these volleys, the goal to top the list is a worthy winner from a player with a goal catalogue that words cannot describe.
After scoring one of the greatest Championship goals against Derby County, Ruben Neves pulled out another volley from the highest level in what was the club’s first Europa League knockout game since 1980/81.
Adama Traore involved again, speeding down the right and crossing into the box before a headed clearance flew high into the sky, destined to come down to the Wolves number eight.
His first touch was a cushioned chest to set himself, his second was a magnificent volley for the ages.
