Wolves 2 Bournemouth 4 - Report

The first spot kick came just 57 seconds into the contest and was converted by Justin Kluivert, before Wolves bounced back quickly through Jorgen Strand Larsen’s header.

But a deflected Milos Kerkez strike, followed by Kluivert’s second penalty goal, as Wolves entered the break 3-1 down.

Larsen’s second of the afternoon restored some hope after half-time, but that was short lived as another defensive error handed Kluivert his hat-trick from the penalty spot - the first time that has happened in Premier League history and the first time in the top flight since 1957.

Analysis

Gary O’Neil named an unchanged team from the one that beat Fulham 4-1 last time out.

That meant midfielder Mario Lemina kept his place at centre-back, despite Craig Dawson and Santi Bueno returning to the squad after injury and illness.

Sam Johnstone and Pablo Sarabia also made the bench after missing last week.

Wolves made the worst possible start as they gave away a poor penalty after just 57 seconds.

A long ball for Evanilson saw the striker charge into the box and Toti Gomes clumsily brought him to the floor, as Kluivert sent Jose Sa the wrong way with the spot kick.

But Wolves recovered quickly and responded just two minutes after going behind. A superb cross from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was met by Larsen, who peeled off Illia Zabarnyi, to head home.

But Wolves’ defensive experiment was not working and Bournemouth were attacking at will. The visitors played through the hosts with ease and Kerkez’s shot, which took a big deflection off Andre, restored their lead.

Wolves were all over the place and the home fans were furious, as Bournemouth should have scored a swift third. Kluivert’s cross found Evanilson, who Lemina left free, and the striker missed a big chance from close range.

Eventually that third goal did come and it was from Wolves’ own making. Sa took a touch as he played out from the back and Evanilson closed him down. As the goalkeeper went to kick the ball, the striker got a touch and Sa kicked Evanilson to the floor.

Referee Peter Bankes was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR and a second penalty was given, which Kluivert converted.

Molineux was enraged as the home side struggled to get a foothold in the game, but once they settled, Wolves began to enjoy more possession.

O’Neil and the home fans were screaming for two penalties in quick succession, one for Matheus Cunha in the air and the other as Rodrigo Gomes was barged to the floor, but neither were given as boos rang around the stadium.

As the half-time whistle blew, Sa charged over to the South Bank and began furiously pointing his finger at a home supporter. A fan was then marched out of Molineux by stewards as the remaining fans supported Sa.

As Wolves came out for the second half, Dawson replaced R.Gomes and they switched to a 5-2-3. Bellegarde was being used as a left-wing-back, as Rayan Ait-Nouri switched to the right wing.

Although that formation quickly changed again as substitutions were made.

Wolves got themselves back into the game in the 69th minute when Andre found substitute Goncalo Guedes, who did well to look after possession and feed Larsen, who smashed home his second of the game.

But that resurgence lasted a matter of minutes as Wolves gave away a third penalty with another horrendous mistake. A terrible back pass from Dawson allowed Evanilson to intercept and Sa clattered him, allowing Kluivert to notch a hat-trick from the spot.

Some home fans chanted in anger at head coach O’Neil, as the game was coming to a close.

The remaining minutes of the game were fairly subdued and Wolves offered little threat as they fell to a damaging defeat, as loud boos rang around Molineux.

Key Moments

GOAL 3 Kluivert dispatches the penalty calmly

GOAL 5 Larsen heads home a swift equaliser

GOAL 8 Kerkez’s deflected effort restores Bournemouth’s lead

GOAL 18 Kluivert scores a second penalty

GOAL 69 Larsen drags one back for Wolves

GOAL 74 Kluivert completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot

Teams

Wolves: Sa, Semedo, Lemina, Toti (Guedes, 64), Ait-Nouri, Andre (Hwang ,82), J.Gomes, Bellegarde (Forbs, 64), Cunha, R.Gomes (Dawson, 45), Larsen.

Subs not used: Johnstone, Bueno, Doherty, Doyle, Sarabia.

Bournemouth: Kepa, Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi (Huijsen, 81), Kerkez, Christie, Adams, Tavernier, Kluivert (Billing, 77), Brooks (Ouattara, 64), Evanilson (Unal, 77).

Subs not used: Travers, Hill, Aarons, Winterburn, Kinsey.