Wolves 2 Southampton 0 - Report

The hosts made the perfect start within just two minutes as Pablo Sarabia tapped home from close range.

Fellow relegation struggles Southampton thought they had equalised 10 minutes later when Ryan Manning finished, but the goal was overturned due to a foul on Nelson Semedo in the build-up.

The visitors dominated possession as Wolves defended deep, but Matheus Cunha burst the game into life early in the second half with a magnificent second from distance.

Wolves saw the rest of the second half out relatively comfortably, to secure a second win in 21 Premier League games and a first clean sheet in 23.

Analysis

O’Neil made one change from the team that drew with Crystal Palace, as Mario Lemina replaced Tommy Doyle.

Hwang Hee-chan returned to training this week after an ankle injury but was not risked.

Russell Martin named an unchanged Southampton team.

In what was a huge game in the relegation battle, Wolves made the best possible start by taking the lead within two minutes.

A poor defensive header from Southampton allowed Cunha to drive forward from the halfway line and his intelligent reverse pass found Sarabia, who rounded Aaron Ramsdale with his first touch and then slotted into an empty net.

But that quick start was seemingly undone when Southampton scored. A poor Craig Dawson header from a cross resulted in a scramble and after a number of blocks, Manning fired into the top corner.

But referee Thomas Bramall was advised by VAR to check the pitchside monitor and the goal was overturned for a foul by Mateus Fernandes on Semedo.

The Saints, as they do against most teams, were dominating the ball and while Wolves had some opportunities on the counter, they took a defensive approach to protect their lead.

The home crowd were beginning to get frustrated as Wolves failed to keep the ball and continued to give it away in the attacking third, before six minutes of added time were announced before half-time.

As the teams emerged for the second half, Wolves brought on Jean-Ricner Bellegarde for goalscorer Sarabia, while the Saints took off Manning and replaced him with Tyler Dibling.

Southampton continued to dominate possession, but in similar fashion to the first half, Wolves scored an early goal to settle the nerves.

Southampton players and boss Martin were screaming for a free-kick on halfway as Dawson got to grips with Cameron Archer, but the referee played on as Lemina found Cunha.

The Brazilian took aim from around 25 yards with a magnificent effort that flew into the net, as goalkeeper Ramsdale was booked for his complaints.

Wolves were happy to defend their 2-0 lead with Southampton struggling for any impact, in what was a routine second half.

Wolves almost scored a third late on when Rayan Ait-Nouri put in a fantastic low cross and Bellegarde, sliding in at the far post, was inches away from meeting it.

But Wolves saw out six minutes of added time to secure a much-needed three points at home.

Key Moments

GOAL 2 Sarabia gives Wolves an early lead after a well-worked move

VAR 12 Manning scores for Southampton but it is overturned by VAR

GOAL 51 Cunha smashes the ball into the far corner

Teams

Wolves: Sa, Semedo, Bueno, Dawson, Toti, Ait-Nouri (Doherty, 95), Lemina, J.Gomes, Sarabia (Bellegarde, 45), Larsen (Guedes, 72), Cunha (R.Gomes, 90).

Subs not used: Johnstone, Pond, Doyle, Andre, Forbs.

Southampton: Ramsdale, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens (Sugawara, 60), Manning (Dibling, 45), Aribo (Brereton Diaz, 73), Lallana (Ugochukwu, 60), Fernandes, Armstrong, Archer (Onuachu, 73).

Subs not used: McCarthy, Bree, Wood, Amo-Ameyaw.