Wolves 2 Southampton 0: Cavaleiro and Jonny secure late victory

Wolves extended their unbeaten run to five Premier League matches with a 2-0 home victory over Southampton after late goals from Ivan Cavaleiro and Jonny.

Cavaleiro came off the bench to score on his first top-flight appearance after combining with Raul Jimenez 11 minutes from time.

Three minutes before the end, Jonny also opened his Wolves account to seal the points.

Southampton were resilient in defence but offered very little in attack as their poor start of the season continued – they have now won only one of their opening seven league games.

FT | #WOL 2-0 #SOU

Two goals in the final 15 minutes award Wolves all three points at home against @SouthamptonFC. Ivan Cavaleiro and Jonny Otto on the scoresheet. #WOLSOU

pic.twitter.com/rJp54ulpdB

— Wolves (@Wolves) September 29, 2018

Wolves created the better chances throughout but could not find a way past Alex McCarthy until the dramatic finale, while Danny Ings, returning to the Southampton side after missing the defeat to parent side Liverpool last weekend, struggled to get involved.

A relatively quiet first half saw few chances for either side although McCarthy was tested by Jonny’s strike to finish a swift attacking move from the hosts, while Rui Patricio was on guard at the other end to deny Mohamed Elyounoussi from close range.

Jimenez, seeing very little of the ball in a game largely contested in the middle third of the field, tested McCarthy shortly before the interval with a low first-time strike inside the area but will feel he could have connected better with his shot.

Nuno looked to the bench for inspiration early in the second half with the introduction of Adama Traore but it was only when Cavaleiro was introduced that the hosts found the breakthrough.

Jannik Vestergaard failed to deal with Traore’s low cross into the box and Jimenez pounced on the loose ball, teeing a pass to Cavaleiro that the number seven tucked home with ease just 94 seconds after coming on.

Any chance of a late fightback from Southampton was then ended as Matt Doherty’s run into the area and cut back was pounced on by Jonny, the wing-back firing home from close range.

What it means: Wolves making history

A five-match unbeaten streak for Wolves for the first time in the top flight since 1981 continues a fine start to life in the Premier League for Nuno’s men, whose only defeat came against Leicester in August.

Southampton, meanwhile, need a significant improvement if they are to avoid another relegation scrap this term. For all their neat and tidy football, they are struggling for a cutting edge in attack.

Jimenez leading the line

It could have easily been a frustrating day for Mexico striker Jimenez as the game only really opened up for Wolves in the latter stages but he was eventually rewarded for his efforts, pouncing on the loose ball to feed Cavaleiro to break the deadlock – one of his three key passes in the match. Now with two goals and two assists from seven games, he has slotted into Nuno’s side excellently.

Jota’s day to forget

With 17 goals in the Championship last season, Diogo Jota looked like he would be a key part of Wolves’ return to the Premier League. Seven games in, he is yet to be involved in a single goal and was hooked early in the second period, conceding possession on 13 occasions. With Cavaleiro returning to fitness and providing an instant impression, Jota needs to improve significantly if he is to retain his starting spot.

94 – Ivan Cavaleiro’s goal for Wolves against Southampton came just 94 seconds after coming on as a substitute on his Premier League debut. Impact.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 29, 2018

What’s next?

Under-pressure Southampton face a stern text next Sunday when they host Chelsea but will first get a break from their top-flight struggles when they travel to Everton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Wolves, meanwhile, will look to extend their fine run away to Crystal Palace on Saturday.