Wolves 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest drew few plaudits but one player could hold his head high after producing a fine display for Vitor Pereira.
Wolves, who were without Matheus Cunha after his two-match ban, were outclassed by their superior opponents in the final third but they did have multiple chances to score.
Norwegian forward Jorgen Strand Larsen had a gilt-edged opportunity to put one away, though his point-blank header was saved by Matz Sels, who was awarded Man of the Match by both Vitor Pereira and Nuno Espirito Santo.
Sels was one of many impressive players for the visitors, who moved back into second in the Premier League table, while there was arguably only one or two standout performers for Wolves.
Dave Edwards blown away by Rodrigo Gomes vs Nottingham Forest
Wolves signed Rodrigo Gomes for £12.7 million from Braga in the summer, and the 21-year-old is starting to show why they shelled out the money.
Gomes impressed Lee Naylor as a left wing-back by scoring in the 3-0 win over Leicester City. Pereira then handed him his second start in four matches against Forest, and he didn’t disappoint.
The Portugal under-21 international was a constant livewire down the left and he put in multiple teasing crosses into the box, including one that Strand Larsen should have buried.
Former defender Dave Edwards has now picked out the youngster as Wolves’ best and most ‘exciting’ player on Monday night while hailing his infectious energy and appetite to defend.
“You can’t speak too negatively of the boys that came into the side and I’m delighted for Rodrigo Gomes,” Edwards wrote in his E&S column.
“I absolutely loved watching him in pre-season and I thought he was going to break onto the scene this year and get into the team because of his attitude and the clever runs he makes.
“But he’s found it difficult after the opening day start at Arsenal and now he’s had a new lease of life under Pereira.
“I thought he was Wolves’ best player and most exciting player against Forest. He had a brilliant volley saved in the first half and put in a couple of terrific crosses.
“But what probably impressed me most about him is his defending. He does both sides of the game really well.
“He’s got that infectious energy, which makes sure he’ll always get back in. You can see he loves playing for the football club.”
Gomes stats vs Nottingham Forest
Gomes was left frustrated by his Wolves teammates against Forest for their inability to take the chances he invariably provided.
Constantly cutting in onto his dangerous right foot, some of the crosses he put into the box were a striker’s dream.
It’s just unfortunate that Strand Larsen had an off day in front of goal, otherwise, the Norwegian international would have gobbled them up.
Impressively, as Edwards mentioned, it wasn’t just his attacking play that stood out as Gomes produced an all-round performance that warranted more recognition.
Rodrigo Gomes stats vs Nottingham Forest
- 90 minutes
- 0.22 Expected Assists (xA)
- 78% passing accuracy
- 1 key pass
- 4 crosses
- 1 big chance created
- 2 ground duels won
- 2 clearances
- 1 tackle