There are wins, there are good wins, and then there are the sort of wins where you spend 89 minutes wondering whether someone has accidentally pressed the fast-forward button on the wrong channel. Wolves’ 1-0 victory over Sheffield United was very much the latter. It was a thoroughly miserable game for anyone hoping to see attacking football, with chances about as common as a Wolves corner actually beating the first man. Sheffield United managed just two touches in the Wolves penalty area during the first half and produced an extraordinary 0.06 xG. At the same time, Wolves also struggled to create anything remotely resembling sustained danger. And yet, somehow, we have three points.
Because when you have Raúl Jiménez, you don’t necessarily need 90 minutes of football. Apparently, you need about 30 seconds. Jiménez swept home in the 90th minute after André found Kieran Trippier, who moved it on for Tommy Doyle to set up the Mexican striker. Cue absolute bedlam in the away end and the sudden realisation that we’d spent an hour and a half watching this nonsense for that exact moment. And while the clean sheet is a huge positive, the performance also highlighted a problem that is becoming increasingly obvious: Without Fer López on the pitch, Wolves lack a creative outlet. The midfield can work, run and battle until the cows come home, but there is a distinct lack of someone willing to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and actually make something happen.
Still, three points. Clean sheet. Late winner. We’ll take it; let’s get into the player ratings.
José Sá – 7/10
A relatively quiet afternoon for Sá, which will probably have suited him perfectly. Sheffield United created very little in the opening half and rarely looked capable of seriously testing the Wolves goalkeeper. The home side eventually produced a couple of moments after the break, but Sá was never forced into a string of saves. Basically, he spent 90 minutes doing goalkeeper admin.
Hugo Bueno – 7/10
Solid without being spectacular. Bueno defended sensibly, offered an outlet when Wolves needed to escape pressure and generally went about his business without doing anything that made you reach for the blood-pressure medication. Not the sort of performance that gets you a statue outside Molineux, but exactly the sort of display you need in an ugly away win.
Ladislav Krejčí – 7/10
Another strong defensive performance. Krejčí helped Wolves keep Sheffield United largely at arm’s length and was part of a backline that ultimately did exactly what it was supposed to do. There was no drama, no defensive calamity and, most importantly, no ball in the back of the net.
Nasser Djiga – 7/10
Djiga stayed composed and helped ensure Sheffield United’s forwards had very little to work with. The Blades’ first-half attacking numbers tell you most of what you need to know: 0.06 xG. That’s not a football attack. That’s a cry for help. Djiga and the rest of the defence deserve enormous credit for making sure it stayed that way.
Jackson Tchatchoua – 7 /10
Tchatchoua showed his usual willingness to get forward while still doing his defensive work. He wasn’t the difference-maker in the future, but he didn’t need to be. On a day when Wolves’ attacking play was largely held together with duct tape, he at least kept his side moving, and it was a bonus that he didn’t decide to do a cheeky lob on Sá this weekend.
André – 8/10
André was arguably Wolves’ best outfield player. He provided composure in midfield and helped Wolves control possession during a match that never really developed much rhythm. He also played an important part in the winning move, with his switch of play eventually leading to Kieran Trippier’s cross and the attack that resulted in Jiménez’s goal. It wasn’t a flashy performance, but André did what needed to be done and helped Wolves maintain control.
Marshall Munetsi – 6.5/10
Munetsi worked extremely hard and was one of Wolves’ more threatening players during the first half. He found himself in some promising positions and had opportunities to put Sheffield United under more pressure, but he could not find the finishing touch Wolves needed. Jordan James replaced him in the 63rd minute. It was a decent performance from Munetsi, although Wolves could certainly have done with a little more composure in the final third.
Fer López – 7/10
López started in the number 10 role and was once again one of Wolves’ main creative outlets. He had an early effort deflected wide and showed some flashes of the quality that makes him such an important player for the team. Wolves looked increasingly short of ideas after Tommy Doyle replaced him in the 70th minute. That is one of Wolves’ biggest concerns going forward. When López can’t influence a game, there doesn’t appear to be another obvious player capable of taking responsibility for creating something.
Rodrigo Gomes – 7/10
Gomes had a few promising moments but never really took control of the game. He worked hard and was involved in Wolves’ attacking moves, but he struggled to produce the final ball or a quality pass that might have changed the match. Raúl Jiménez replaced him in the 63rd minute, and unfortunately for Gomes, that was when Wolves eventually found their match-winner.
Mateus Mané – 5/10
This was a particularly poor afternoon for Mané. He struggled to influence the game, his decision-making was inconsistent, and he rarely looked capable of causing Sheffield United sustained problems. He did become involved in the biggest talking point of the match when his effort struck Mark McGuinness’ outstretched arm shortly after half-time. Wolves appealed for a penalty, but Rob Jones awarded a corner instead.
That incident aside, Mané didn’t do enough. He needed to provide more attacking threat and simply never got going. It was a performance he will want to forget.
Adam Armstrong – 6.5/10
Armstrong worked hard up front but was often isolated in a game where genuine chances were difficult to come by. Wolves did not provide him with enough consistent service, which made his job particularly difficult. He still worked tirelessly and tried to bring others into the game, but this was not an afternoon where the striker was given much to feed on.
Subs
Jordan James – 7/10
James came on for Munetsi in the 63rd minute and helped keep the midfield ticking over. There was not enough time for him to completely transform the game, but he played his part as Wolves gradually took control of the closing stages.
Raúl Jiménez – 7/10
Jiménez came on for Rodrigo Gomes in the 63rd minute and, despite eventually becoming the match-winner, this was not a spectacular cameo. He had a couple of efforts after coming on that he probably should have done better with, and for much of his time on the pitch he looked just as frustrated as everyone else by Wolves’ lack of creativity. However, when the important opportunity arrived in the 90th minute, Jiménez put it away. He found himself in the right place at the right time and made no mistake with the chance, sweeping home the winner.
It was not a vintage Jiménez performance, but it was a case of doing the important bit when it mattered. A few disappointing efforts, one crucial finish and three points is a pretty good return from the bench.
Kieran Trippier – 7/10
Trippier replaced Tchatchoua in the 70th minute and brought some much-needed experience to the right side during the final stages. More importantly, he played a role in the winning goal. His cross found Tommy Doyle, who helped the ball towards the back post where Jiménez was waiting to finish. That made his contribution particularly valuable.
Toti Gomes – 6.5/10
Toti came on for Djiga in the 70th minute as Peixoto looked to protect the result. He did exactly what was required of him, helping Wolves see out the final stages and preserve the clean sheet. It was not a complicated cameo, but sometimes that is exactly what a manager needs from a substitute defender.
Tommy Doyle – 7.5/10
Doyle replaced López in the 70th minute and eventually provided the crucial contribution for the winning goal. He helped Trippier’s cross towards the back post, where Jiménez was able to tap the ball home. Coming off the bench, helping create the winner and leaving with three points is about as effective a substitute appearance as you can ask for.
It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t exciting, and for long periods it wasn’t particularly good either. But Wolves won’t care too much about that because they came away from Bramall Lane with three points and another clean sheet. Wolves were the better side for much of the game and created enough opportunities to feel that they deserved something from the match. They were also unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Mateus Mané’s effort struck Mark McGuinness’ outstretched arm, although the overall performance still left plenty to be desired.
The biggest concern remains Wolves’ lack of creativity. Fer López showed flashes of quality, but once he was taken off, Wolves looked short of ideas and relied heavily on individual moments rather than consistently creating clear chances. That is something César Peixoto will need to address if Wolves are going to challenge at the top end of the Championship.
For now, though, the result is what matters. Wolves defended well, kept another clean sheet and found a way to win the game when it looked destined to finish 0-0. Raúl Jiménez wasn’t spectacular after coming on and wasted a couple of opportunities, but when the important chance arrived in the 90th minute, he put it away. It may have been an ugly win, but it was still a win. Three points, a clean sheet and a late winner is a pretty good way to leave Bramall Lane.
