In the wake of Wolves’ 1-0 victory over Sheffield United, Gary O’Neil picked out one man who he deemed as ‘excellent’ in the win.
In a nervy affair, Wolves did just enough to secure all three points at Molineux. Despite coming into the game on the back of a 2-1 victory away to Spurs, the club were unable to replicate this performance.
A first half Pablo Sarabia header proved to be just enough to earn Wolves the three points despite Sheffield United producing a number of good chances.
The second half was particularly poor from O’Neil’s side with the players not producing a chance against the Premier League strugglers.
However, in the end, Wolves got the job done and moved up to eighth in the table, putting their hat firmly in the European race.
After the match, O’Neil picked out Sarabia, whom he had praised in the week, for his ‘excellent’ performance.
Pablo Sarabia was ‘fantastic’ against Sheffield United
Sarabia has become vital to Wolves this campaign. After a frustrating first six months, the winger found himself mainly an option off the bench to showcase his qualities for O’Neil.
This he took advantage of as a substitute appearance against Spurs changed the game to get Wolves the win. Since then, Sarabia has become a pivotal player in the starting XI which was on full show on Sunday.
“I thought he was excellent today,” O’Neil told Wolves. “His movement, the way he arrived in the box – you wouldn’t believe how much we practice that goal. Sometimes it’s Pablo delivering and other boys arriving, and this time it’s Rayan inside delivering in the half space and Pablo did really well to arrive in the right space. It was an excellent goal. A fantastic header.
“We were in a really good moment in the first half where we were finding really good solutions and causing Sheffield United problems, creating loads of chances, so it was a great goal, a lovely header, a great delivery from Rayan as well with his right foot, so we’re pleased with the first half, but hugely disappointed with the second, but it’s another win, we’re in a good spot and we need to keep going.”
Pablo Sarabia has really stepped up for Wolves
When Sarabia first signed for Wolves, many saw him as the most exciting addition in January. However, his hope never came to pass under Julen Lopetegui.
Under O’Neil, Sarabia has now fulfilled this hope. So far this season, he has been one of Wolves’ biggest creative outlooks. With nine assists he is only one behind Pedro Neto in the squad.
Now, he has begun to add goals, being the difference between Wolves and Sheffield United on Sunday.
If O’Neil is to guide the club into Europe, Sarabia will be one of the biggest factors. Hopefully, he can continue to ride this momentum going forward into the important end of the season.