And breathe. Yes, you didn’t dream it – Wolves really scored two goals in a Premier League match! A sensational last minute win that lifts us off the bottom of the table and provides the perfect start to the Lopetegui era. A scrappy win but a win nevertheless.
Here are the ratings:
José Sá
Another solid performance from Wolves’ number one. Had a couple of shaky-looking moments in the first half (although who didn’t) but pulled off a magnificent save to deny Anthony Gordon and kept Wolves in the match. No real chance with Everton’s goal.
7/10
Nelson Semedo
Of all the players in the squad, Nelson Semedo is perhaps one of the most confusing. His heart didn’t really look in the match during the first 45 minutes but perked up a bit in the second half and linked up nicely with Traore and Neves. Kept good care of Dwight McNeil to the extent I didn’t realise he was actually on the pitch. Still not entirely justifying his price tag though.
6/10
Nathan Collins
A similar performance to Sa – caused a couple of heart in mouth moments in the first half but was a mostly-solid presence at the back. Needs to really kick on for the rest of the season to ensure mistakes are kept to a minimum.
6/10
Max Kilman
Not the best performance from Kilman all things considered. A couple of sloppy passes in the first half raised eyebrows and the less said about his high boot on Gueye the better. With a few crucial games coming up, he needs to find the form (and discipline) that has made him a mainstay in defence.
5/10
Hugo Bueno
With Jonny injured (again) and Ait-Nouri seemingly not up to Lopetegui’s standards (although the events of the 95th minute might have swayed him round), it was another start for youngster Bueno. Certainly not the best game for Wolves; his passing accuracy was the worst of any Wolves player (56% according to Sofascore) and it was surely no coincidence Everton had their better chances down his side of the pitch. Arguably left back is now the biggest selection dilemma for the manager.
5/10
Rúben Neves
A quieter game for Neves truth be told but where would we be without him. Often held back in the first half and almost seemed to be playing as part of a back three at times. Crucial clearance off the line in the second half and generally accurate with his passes despite the conditions on the pitch. Whatever happens in the January window, we cannot afford to lose our captain.
7/10
Joe Hodge
Like his fellow youngster Bueno, not Hodge’s best game for Wolves as was often outmuscled by Everton’s stronger midfield three. Never gave up and kept chasing every ball that came his way – if the rest of his teammates had the energy and graft that Hodge clearly possesses we’d be out of the relegation zone in no time.
5/10
João Moutinho
Showed his experience and class in a team that is especially crying out for the former. Like Neves, he remains a key cog in the Wolves midfield and will be vital to grinding out exactly these types of results. Beautiful assist for Podence’s goal.
6/10
Daniel Podence
The scorer of the first goal was easily Wolves’ Man of the Match. His finish from a beautiful Moutinho cross was sublime and he looked a constant threat down the Everton flank. So far Podence has been the brightest spark for Wolves this season and hopefully will link up well with Cunha when he signs in January.
8/10
Hwang Hee-chan
The good news is that Hwang is clearly a more confidence player than before the World Cup – although I suppose scoring the winner in a World Cup match against Portugal would do that to anymore. The bad news is that he was once again a passenger in a Wolves side that cannot afford to be carrying passengers. Was a bit unlucky with some of his crosses and admittedly didn’t receive as many balls as he would have surely liked. Needs to improve if he wants to stay in the starting lineup.
5/10
Diego Costa
When Costa signed for Wolves there was no denying it was a shrewd move. Wolves, at this point having no fit first team strikers, needed someone to grab a few goals and hold up play at the top of the pitch. A few months and zero goals later however, it’s clear that Costa is being carried by the rest of the team and is posing little-to-no threat to opposition defence. Was slightly concerned he might have received his second red card of his Wolves career towards the end of the game. Surely the newly-arrived Matheus Cunha is a shoo-in to start up front when he formally arrives in January.
2/10
Subs:
Matheus Nunes (Hodge 59’)
Entered the field of play and immediately made a difference. A fantastic ball to Adama set up the eventual winner and staked a claim to a starting spot against Man United. A Neves/Nunes duo has the potential to be something frightening.
7/10
Rayan Ait-Nouri (Bueno 59’)
Scorer of an absolutely vital goal which could be seen (rest of the season pending) as one of the most important scored under Fosun. Provided a breath of fresh air down the left hand side and has now caused Lopetegui to think very carefully about who he picks at left back on Saturday.
7/10
Adama Traoré (Hwang 59’)
Looked dangerous when he came on. Would have liked to have seen him get a bit more of the ball but pulled off a great assist at the end of the game to help clinch a winner. Lopetegui mentioned last week he’d like Traore to stay at Wolves beyond the summer and, after today, you can certainly see why.
6/10
Gonçalo Guedes (Podence 73′)
Didn’t really get into the game and struggled to make his mark. Vital few months to prove he’s worth the fee we paid for him.
5/10
Toti Gomes (Moutinho 78′)
Final change for Wolves and there were more than a few eyebrows raised when Jimenez was told to sit back down. Was imperious in the box and provided some much needed security during the period of heavy Everton pressure at the end of the match. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some more minutes this season.
6/10