Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Fabio Silva fully vindicated Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to start him in yesterday’s Black Country Derby.
The teenager was drafted in in place of Willian Jose to lead the line against the Baggies, and put in a really good display.
He opened the scoring, rounding off a great move with a rather fluky finish, but his movement was superb and his link-up play was also impressive.
Silva has had to bide his time at Molineux.
The January loan signing of Jose has limited his chances of starting games.
But last night he was given another chance, and definitely gave a good account of himself.
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His performance was praised by Don Goodman, who was commentating on the game for Sky Sports.
The ex-forward of both Wolves and West Brom said early in the second-half: “The ramifications of the injury to Raul Jimenez have meant that he’s had to be thrown in.
“He’s played so much more than I think the intention was.
But for me this evening, it’s the best I’ve seen him. I have to say, he’s been excellent.”
Silva growing in confidence
Goodman is probably right – Silva’s display last night was probably his best in old gold to date.
He did a great job up against two really physical centre-halves, and you could see the confidence the goal gave him, even if it was a little fortuitous in the way it came about.
These are promising signs for Wolves, who have been criticised for what they paid for the youngster.
Hopefully he’ll keep up this kind of level until the end of the season and set himself up nicely for next term.