Lady luck and Jimenez combine in much needed win
Southampton 0 v Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Well, it wasn’t pretty but after a succession of games in which lady luck had conspired against Wolves their fortunes at last changed to record a vital away win against fellow strugglers Southampton. The victory doubles their season points tally and lifts them two places into a far more comfortable 14th position.
It did not always appear possible. After an early squandered chance by Nelson Semedo - not the first time this season that he has failed to convert - Wolves spent most of the first half on the back foot. It was their good fortune however that the home side were as inept in the final third as the visitor’s, poor final delivery and weak attempts on goal ensuring that the sides went in to the half time break all square.
The first half momentum continued with Southampton during the early stages of the second half and in minute 55 Jose Sa made two tremendous saves only for Che Adams to have been deemed offside. Bar one first half aberration the Wolves goalkeeper had a solid game and he looks a more than creditable replacement for the popular Rui Patricio.
Three minutes later Raul Jimenez turned inside in the box only to be closed down before getting his shot away. It hinted that the Mexican is still far from his best but any thought that that might be the case was dispelled three minutes later. Chasing a long ball from Sa into the left channel he first dispossessed Jan Bednarak before cutting inside and dummying to put Mohammed Salisu on his backside. With only Alex McCarthy to beat he calmly side footed the ball into the net.
The goal was a seminal moment. To start with it was Jimenez’s first since October 2020. Second, it drew a veil on the nightmare of the last ten months since his terrible head injury against Arsenal and finally it provided a much need lift to Wolves whose lack of goals has coincided with the loss of their talismanic striker.
But with half an hour of the game remaining there was still much to be done as Southampton continued to huff and puff, occasionally with intent. In minute 76 excellent goalkeeping by Sa as he advanced miles from his goal to deny a potential break and a few minutes later good save from the lively Che Adam were vital in ensuring Wolves maintained their slender lead. For once their defence, marshalled by the excellent Conor Coady, remained resolute and the six minutes of added time were negotiated through a combination of cramp and time wasting. It was far from edifying, but it did the trick and for the moment at least the Old Gold can breathe a little easier.
Southampton: McCarthy 6, Livramento 6, Bednarek 6, Salisu 6, Walker- Peters 7 Sub Long, Elyoumousa 6, Romeu 6, Ward Prowse 6, Redmond 6 Sub Djenepo, Adams 6 Sub Broja, Armstrong 6
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 8, Semedo 6 Sub Hoever, Kilman 7, Coady 8, Saiss 7, Marcal 5, Moutinho 6, Dendoncker 6, Podence 6 Sub Traore, Jimenez 8, Hwang Hee-Chan 7
Attendance: 28,002
Referee: Andy Madley 9
©Mark Brennand