GARY O’NEIL should look forward to the international break – rather than an extended break – after winning the P45 derby!
But goals from much-maligned Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha eased the pressure on him as Wolves finally grabbed their first win of the season.
They stretched their winning run against Saints to six games on the spin to leave Russell Martin’s side rock bottom of the Prem, as the heat returned to the losing boss.
Just as importantly for Wolves, was keeping their first clean sheet in 23 games, thanks to a stellar performance from veteran defender Craig Dawson.
However Saints must find a proven goalscorer fast or they are surely heading back to the Championship.
Both managers knew the enormity of this game as they headed for their technical areas at the start.
read more football news
In fact they could have walked a tightrope, suspended over a pool of crocodiles and it couldn’t have been much more perilous than what awaited them.
The mood at Molineux was positively mutinous at the start and there were as many jeers as there were cheers when Pablo Sarabia’s name was read out before kick-off.
So how ironic it was the 32-year-old Spanish international who got Wolves off to the perfect start with a goal inside two minutes!
Like everyone else at Wolves he had Matheus Cunha to thank as the Brazilian started this game the way he intended to continue it …. brilliantly.
Most read in Football
He surged at Saints defence in Wolves first attack before releasing a perfectly timed reverse pass into the path of Sarabia.
And, as Aaron Ramsdale advanced, the Spaniard kept his cool to calmly round the Saints keeper before sliding the ball into a gaping net.
What a smack in the teeth for Saints and what a start for Wolves.
But any notion O’Neil had that the early goal would calm frayed nerves turned out to be a false hope.
Because Saints took a firm grip of the first half as Wolves wobbled.
Adam Armstrong fired wide from the edge of the boix after a short-corner routine picked him out in space.
Then 10 minutes after Wolves opener Southampton thought they had levelled only to be denied by a controversial VAR call.
Kyle Walker-Peters cross was only partially headed clear by Craig Dawson and a mad scramble ensued as bodies flew at the loose ball.
It eventually fell to Ryan Manning who lashed it high past Jose Sa to find the top corner of the Wolves net.
But the left-back’s celebrations at scoring his first ever Premier goal were cruelly cut short by VAR Chris Kavanagh.
He spotted a collision between Mateus Fernandes and Neslon Semedo which left the Wolves defender floored and drew ref Thomas Bramall’s attention to it.
Once the man in the middle went to his monitor Wolves fans’ hopes rose and Southampton’s faded.
Sure enough the Saint was called out as the sinner, even though neutrals felt it was Semedo who initiated contact with Fernandes.
Once again the high bar on referees appeared to be lowered as it was hard to argue how Bramall had made a clear and obvious error with his initial decision to award the goal.
However, given their history with controversial VAR decisions going against them it was hard to argue O’Neil didn’t deserve a lucky break for once!
And if he could have picked his time to get one in his favour it would probably be now!
His side spent the rest of the half with their backs to goal but Saints inability to score – coupled with a towering performance by Craig Dawson – saw them survive.
The veteran defender was like a magnet to the ball as he kept swatting Saints attacks away.
At half-time Wolves played their joker as they brought Molineux legend Ruben Neves on to the pitch to say a few words of encouragement to the home support.
The ex-midfielder was back in town from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and on crutches after undergoing knee surgery.
But he rallied the troops, and predicted: “I’m sure after this match everything will change.
“This is a time for everyone to be together and push for the side.”
“I’m asking you just one thing, please bring this energy to the second half and get behind the team.”
It worked a treat because, urged on by their fans, Wolves went for the kill.
Instead of sitting in and soaking up pressure they aggressively pressed Saints.
Joao Gomes forced Ramsdale into a fine save before Wolves finally doubled their lead with a sensational clincher.
Dawson beat Cameron Archer to the ball and fed Lemina who played in Cunha.
The Brazilian turned and strode forward before unleashing an absolute belter of a right-foot shot beyond Ramsdale from 25 yards.
He raced off, blowing kisses to the fans and how O’Neil must have felt like planting one on his midfielder for that goal.
Russell Martin tried to reshuffle his pack with a string of substitutions but Saints never troubled Sa.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
In fact Bellegarde, who had earlier missed with an audacious chip from halfway, came much closer to making it 3-0 when he fractionally failed to get on the end of a low cross.
But in the end it didn’t matter as O’Neil took a bow in front of joyous Wolves fans.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
