Tag: Wolves

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 Wolves Immortalise Jota in Historic Hall

Jota nets hat-trick as superb Liverpool thrash Atalanta 5-0
Jota
Wolves have inducted former forward Diogo Jota into their Hall of Fame “in a tribute that honours both his remarkable achievements for the club and the deep impact his passing has had on the footballing world”.
The Portugal international and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva, who was also a footballer, died in a car crash on 3 July in the Spanish province of Zamora.
Jota moved to Wolves from Atletico Madrid in July 2017 – in a deal which was initially on a season-long loan and then made permanent – before going on to join Liverpool in 2020.
He scored 44 goals in 131 appearances for Wolves and was a key player when they won the Championship title in 2017-18 to earn promotion into the Premier League.
Jota also helped the club qualify for the Europa League with a seventh-placed finish during their first season back in the top-flight.
Wolves players and coaching staff have been among those to have contributed to the vast amount of tributes to Jota and Silva outside their Molineux stadium.
The club have now “moved swiftly to make this rare and heartfelt decision” to induct Jota into their Hall of Fame, which is run independently by a committee.
Wolves said such an honour is “typically the result of detailed discussions over many weeks or months” but, in Jota’s case, it was a unanimous decision considering “the remarkable legacy Diogo leaves behind”.
“There is such a feeling of sadness and disbelief around this awful tragedy that we wanted to make this tribute of our own as soon as we could,” said Wolves Hall of Fame chairman and club vice-president John Richards.
“Like everyone else, we’ve been stunned by events, and we remember what a wonderful player Diogo was for Wolves during that unforgettable promotion season under [manager] Nuno [Espirito Santo] and our early years back in the Premier League.
“So many fans across the game – especially in Portugal after he helped them win the Nations League this summer – are feeling his loss deeply. We saw no reason to delay this decision.
“We hope it will bring a little comfort to those who were close to Diogo and Andre, and we trust Wolves supporters will understand that this gesture is made with real love and admiration, and also fully justified.”
Wolves also plan to mark the passing of the brothers at their final pre-season friendly against Celta Vigo on Saturday, 9 August before the “main commemorations” at the side’s opening game of the Premier League season against Manchester City on Saturday, 16 August.
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Tottenham’s coach analyses loss to Wolves

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham”s Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou said Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers was down to a second-string team playing without the fluency that took them to the top.

This was as he refused to blame those who had hardly played this season.

Tottenham took an early lead and held on for 90 minutes before Wolves scored two stoppage-time goals to deny the north London side top spot in the Premier League standings as they fell to their second straight defeat.

“Disappointed obviously, particularly after it happened so late, but it’s part of the pain of football and when things happen in those circumstances you’ve just got to take it.

“I can’t fault the players’ effort or commitment. It was always going to be a tough game anyway at Wolves. We just couldn’t hold out,” Postecoglou told reporters.

Postecoglou fielded a makeshift starting lineup due to injuries and suspensions, with three of his regular back four missing for the early kickoff at Molineux Stadium.

“We started well but we could have been a bit more positive and be a little bit more aggressive with the ball.

“I’ve got to temper that with the fact that we’ve made so many changes and we’re not going to get the same type of fluency.

“Especially when particularly three of your back four are virtually starting for the first time,” he said.

He said a lot of his men hadn’t played in a while and were perhaps cautious, looking mainly to get through to the end of the game after their early goal.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said it was the proudest he had been of the squad since taking charge of the club days before the season began.

“We were the better side after the first five minutes. Even at 1-0 down after 85 minutes I was proud.

“The understanding of what we were trying to do and the mentality were excellent.

“The two goals make it easier to deliver the message, but I was proud – really pleased, and I’m sure the fans enjoyed it,” he told reporters.

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Soccer refuses to be Mathematics as Wolves halt Man City’s wins

Wolves need more players next season - Nuno
FILE PHOTO: Wolves

If there is a god of soccer, it refused to be Mathematics on Saturday as Wolves beat mighty Man City 2-1, halting their winning spree in this year’s Premiere League.

Mathematically speaking, many would not assign victory to Wolves.

If any team would punctuate City’s runs, such would believe, they could be the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal.

The table however dramatically turned as Wolves  spun a surprise.

As ‘The Punch’ reports, Ruben Dias knocked a Pedro Neto cross into his own net after the Wolves winger raced through the City defence, comfortably easing past Nathan Ake.

City continually struggled to cope with Neto’s pace on the wings as Wolves applied pressure in the first half.

The visitors trailed at the break but quickly responded when Julian Alvarez curled a free-kick past Jose Sa.

But Hwang Hee-chan restored Wolves’ lead, coolly tucking home after Matheus Cunha found him unmarked in the box.

Pep Guardiola’s men remain top of the table despite defeat, but could be knocked off their perch if Liverpool beat Tottenham in Saturday’s late game.

Wolves are 13th with seven points from seven matches.

 

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Manchester City sign Nunes from Wolves for £53 million

Manchester City sign Nunes from Wolves for £53 million

Manchester City have signed Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes on a five-year deal.

After overcoming some minor sticking points in final negotiations over an initial £47.3 million ($59.9 million) deal on Wednesday night, both clubs were able to come to an agreement on a £53 million move – a club-record sale for Wolves.

Nunes became Wolves’ record signing when he joined from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £38 million last summer on a five-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

However, the 25-year-old Portugal international was keen to move to the Etihad Stadium and did not train with Wolves in order to push the move through.

Nunes told the club’s official website: “I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the champions of Europe and a club I’ve admired for a long time.

“The opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest managers ever, and alongside some of the best players in the world was something I couldn’t turn down.”

Midfielder Tommy Doyle, 21, heads the other way, joining the Molineux club on a season-long loan with the option to make the switch permanent next summer.

Doyle’s exit follows that of fellow City academy product Cole Palmer, who has joined Chelsea on a seven-year contract.

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Disjointed Man U replace Arsenal in jest ring as Wolves take them back to 1980

Man U’s current disjointed form is not only driving them down the league chart, it is only attracting wild mockery for them.

Their destiny appears to be so much tottering that they are replacing Arsenal as the jest bag for millions of people across the world.

None – including – Ronaldo is being spared since the team’s performance has kept been uninspiring.

The historical straw breaking their camel’s back came on Monday when Wolves repeated what it last did in 1980 beating them at Old Trafford.

As Reuters/NAN reports, Joao Moutinho fired Wolves to the first win at Old Trafford since 1980 as Ralf Rangnick’s unbeaten start to life as Manchester United’s interim manager came to an end.

The Red Devils finished 2021 with a much-needed home win against Burnley.

But the new year got off to a terrible start as their sloppy, disjointed display was punished by Bruno Lage’s impressive visitors.

Wolves had not played for 15 days due to coronavirus-related postponements.

But they showed few signs of rust at Old Trafford, where Mourinho struck late on to secure a deserved 1-0 win.

Wolverhampton Wanderers had failed to win in their last 10 league games at Manchester United and it looked like that run might continue.

This was after they failed to score in a one-sided first half in which they managed an eye-watering 15 shots.

Phil Jones, making his first appearance in 708 days, was one of the few to impress for Manchester United.

They belatedly showed flickers of life after Rangnick’s decision to take off lively attacker Mason Greenwood was booed.

Replacement Bruno Fernandes struck the bar and then sent over a free-kick which Cristiano Ronaldo directed home from an offside position.

But Romain Saiss also hit the woodwork from a free-kick and Wolves found a way through in the 82nd minute.

That was when Moutinho controlled a clearance and hit a low drive past David De Gea to send the travelling hordes into raptures.

There was a similarly impressive roar at the final whistle after goalkeeper Jose Sa superbly saved Fernandes stoppage-time free-kick to seal victory.

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Covid hit Chelsea as they drop points against Wolves

Mueez Ajao

– Covid-19-hit Chelsea slipped further behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League title race as they were held to a goalless draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

– The visitors had a request for the fixture to be postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak rejected on Sunday morning – with manager Thomas Tuchel saying they were “a bit angry” with the decision.

– Consequently, the Blues named just four outfield players on the bench at Molineux. The first XI was still strong enough to be competitive but they struggled to create as they were held to a second successive draw.

Also Read: Everton dampen Chelsea’s title spirit

– Daniel Podence had an early goal ruled out for offside as Wolves enjoyed the better of the opening period but in foggy conditions chances were few and far between.

– Leander Dendoncker’s header just before half-time was comfortably saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, while Wolves counterpart Jose Sa did well to deny Christian Pulisic from close range late on.

– The result, coupled with a 4-0 win for Manchester City against Newcastle on Sunday, means Chelsea are six points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s side.

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Sheffield United relegated from EPL after defeat at Wolves

Sheffield United’s miserable season was capped after relegation was finally confirmed following a 0-1 defeat at Wolves.

The rock-bottom Blades will play in the Sky Bet Championship next term after Willian Jose’s second-half winner.

Under caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom, Sheffield United are 19 points from safety with six games remaining and have won just four times all season.

The Blades have lost 26 of their 32 games, having finished ninth last term, with their two-year stay in the Premier League over.

They rarely looked like earning a stay of execution, although Enda Stevens was denied by Rui Patricio.

Mid-table Wolves also struggled to find serious momentum in a forgettable game, but Oliver Norwood did head Willy Boly’s fortunate first-half effort off the line.

Newcastle United’s late win over West Ham earlier in the day had left Sheffield United needing to avoid defeat to delay their inevitable return to the second tier.

There was little intensity from the visitors in a drab first half though, and Wolves came closest to an opener after 21 minutes.

Rayan Ait-Nouri’s corner-kick was chested down by Jose and John Egan’s clearance ricochet off Boly’s heel to loop towards goal.

But a combination of Norwood and the crossbar kept the ball out.

Daniel Podence’s half-volley flew over after half an hour but Wolves —— firmly stuck in mid-table —— failed to convince they would break the monotony.

The biggest flashpoint came nine minutes before the break when Ait-Nouri was lucky to avoid a red card.

The defender landed on Rhian Brewster’s ankle when trying to shield the ball but VAR did not intervene and it was Brewster who was booked for the challenge.

The game meandered into the break and there was nothing to suggest the scoreline would change during a low-key start to the second half.

Yet, belatedly, Sheffield United did conjure their first chance of the game after 59 minutes —— only for it to lead to Wolves’ winner.

Brewster’s low cross found the unmarked Stevens and his low strike was blocked by Nelson Semedo.

Immediately, Wolves broke with Semedo and Podence combining to send Traore away.

He then breezed past Egan for Jose to sweep in his first Wolves goal from six yards.

Stevens’ quick turn and shot forced a good save from Rui Patricio as Sheffield United woke up but it was too late.

Aaron Ramsdale denied Romain Saiss from point-blank range with seven minutes left.

Fabio Silva then shot straight at the goalkeeper and Traore sliced wide on the break as time ran out on Sheffield United’s top-flight stay.

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We shouldn’t have allowed the counter attack – Lampard

File photo

Lasun Alagbe

Like a child keeping away a knife after it has cut its finger, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has identified what they should not have allowed to happen during the EPL match they lost to Wolves on Tuesday.

The latter were down by a goal before they bounced back to beat Chelsea 2-1.

Reflecting on the match and its aftermath, Lampard said, among other errors, his boys should not have given room to the counter attack that gave Wolves glory.

AFP quoted him as saying, “Performance is what gives you results. We were playing very well, on a long unbeaten run and then maybe the lads think ‘we’re playing well’. The minute you think you’re playing well, things like this can happen,” said a visibly irked Lampard after Pedro Neto broke clear to win the game in the 95th minute.

“If you’re not playing well which we weren’t tonight, hang on to the 1-0. Play, control the game, and don’t allow counter attacks like we did.”

Chelsea ‘long way’ from being title contenders - Lampard
Lampard
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Neto grabs late winner as Chelsea falls to Wolves

Neto grabs late winner as Chelsea falls to Wolves
Neto grabs late winner as Chelsea falls to Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Pedro Neto struck a stoppage-time winner as they came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Olivier Giroud had fired Chelsea ahead at Molineux in the 49th minute, meeting a Ben Chilwell cross with a superb first-time strike at the near post.

But Wolves drew level in the 66th minute when Daniel Podence cleverly created space for himself in the box and then drove a slightly deflected shot past keeper Edouard Mendy.

Wolves were then awarded a penalty, 10 minutes from the end, when Pedro Neto went down inside the box as he was approached by Reece James, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review showed there had been no contact.

But Neto was to decide the encounter late in added time when he finished off a counter-attack, running at the Chelsea defence before drilling the ball into the bottom corner.

Chelsea, who have now lost successive games, remain fifth on 22 points from 13 games, three behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool who meet at Anfield on Wednesday.

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Vardy penalty kick earns Leicester City tight win over Wolves

Vardy penalty kick earns Leicester City tight win over Wolves
Vardy

Leicester City went top of the English Premier League (EPL) with a tense 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Striker Jamie Vardy scored one penalty kick and had another saved in the match the hosts had to hold on tight till the end to secure the full points.

Vardy made no mistake with his first penalty kick in the 15th minute, after Wolves were penalised for handball when Dennis Praet’s cross hits Max Kilman’s hand.

The 33-year-old England international sent goalkeeper Rui Patricio the wrong way.

He stepped up again six minutes before half-time when Rayan Ait Nouri brought down James Justin.

But he struck his kick straight down the middle and into the legs of the goalkeeper.

Marc Albrighton replaced Luke Thomas for Leicester at the break and almost made an immediate impact.

But Youri Tielemans headed his ball into the box just wide, and the Belgian wasted another good chance as he blazed a shot over the bar.

Wolves swarmed forward looking for an equaliser.

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a stunning save to deny a Ruben Neves shot from the edge of the box, diving high to his left to keep the ball out.

“That’s what you work on as a goalkeeper. It’s what I’m there for. The whole team defended brilliantly all game —- they had one or two chances and that was it,” Schmeichel said.

Leicester could have doubled their lead in the 82nd minute but Harvey Barnes blazed a deflected strike over the bar.

From the resulting corner-kick, Christian Fuchs hit a powerful shot that might have troubled the goalkeeper had it not struck team mate Jonny Evans.

Leicester climbed to the top of the table with 18 points from eight games, one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and two clear of champions Liverpool.

Liverpool took on Manchester City later on Sunday.