Wolverhampton Wanderers have beaten Southampton 1-0 in the Premier League.
Bruno Lage’s men were able to bounce back from a tough week, and it was a long-awaited return to the goalscoring trail for Raul Jimenez.
It was a pretty poor game overall, with both sides misplacing passes throughout.
There was a real lack of quality, especially in the first-half.
But the winning goal was absolutely full of quality.
Jose Sa’s long kick upfield found Jimenez, who at first was the second favourite to gain possession.
The 30-year-old outmuscled Jan Bednarek to get in on goal. He then cut inside to go past Mohammed Salisu down sitting Bednarek down and coolly converting past Alex McCarthy.
It was a tremendously well-taken goal from the Mexican, and it was no less than his performance deserved.
The hope now will be that he takes confidence from that moment and starts scoring regularly again for Wolves.
It was a particularly good afternoon for Sa in the Wolves goal.
The star has had a decent start to his career at Molineux so far, barring the odd couple of moments.
At St. Mary’s he really excelled.
He made a number of saves in the game, including a great one at his near post from Tino Livramento.
He then made a fantastic double-save from Moi Elyounoussi and Che Adams, although the latter did get flagged offside in the end.
Then, of course, it was his kick that found Jimenez for the game’s only goal.
There was also a moment when Southampton appeared to be in on goal after Nelson Semedo’s clearance was blocked, but Sa read the danger brilliantly. The referee ended up blowing for handball, but Sa was not to know.
On social media, fans heaped praise on the 28-year-old for his assured display:
Can I just say that SA is motm today #wwfc
— Jackk ◣ ◢ (@jackthenewee) September 26, 2021
Jose Sa is super alert. Would Patricio have got to that?? #wwfc
— Graham Palmer 🐺 (@gjp12775) September 26, 2021
JOSÉ SA YOU ARE WORLD CLASS MY BOY
— niall🐺 (@ntr_wwfc) September 26, 2021
SA has been phenomenal today
— Ryan L WWFC 💙 (@rlwolves) September 26, 2021
Jose sa outstanding what a keeper
— JWolves10 (@wwfc3211) September 26, 2021
SA man, been brilliant today
— Chris (@cpj93070) September 26, 2021
Phew…. We needed that. Sa was immense. So so happy for Raul he took it brilliantly you could tell how much he wanted it. Neves and Adama to come back in next and Boly & Nouri still please Bruno. #wwfc pic.twitter.com/h8lWKx1wce
— Bradley Parker (@parker_bradley) September 26, 2021