Today was a huge game for Wolves against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fourth round and Gary O’Neil needed people to stand up and be counted for – and there was truly a captain’s performance at the back from Max Kilman.
Wanderers are into the fifth round of the competition, after beating Albion 2-0 at the Hawthorns.
Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha got the goals, with the game finishing over half an hour later than scheduled after there was crowd trouble.
Play was suspended but thankfully, police were able to control things and the game resumed.
Wanderers sustained some late pressure from the Baggies, and got their first win at the Hawthorns since 1996.
Neto and Cunha are the talk of the town, but it was a real team effort today – and Max Kilman‘s stats are nothing short of amazing…
Max Kilman was absolutely monstrous in FA Cup win over West Brom
Kilman played in the last meeting between these two sides back in the Covid season, but it was his first Black Country derby in front of supporters.
Wolves were going to need a big performance from their captain today – and the 26-year-old certainly delivered one.
He was solid as a rock all afternoon for Wolves.
Sofascore data indicates that he made a staggering 14 defensive actions, which was easily the most of any player on the pitch today. He made nine clearances, which was more than double the next player in the game (Cedric Kipe for West Brom with four).
Kilman, who had 80 touches, also made four interceptions, one block and one tackle, and used the ball brilliantly, completing 53/61 passes (87%).
And of course, Kilman provided the through ball over the top for Matheus Cunha to latch onto and finish for Wolves’ second goal.
A captain’s display
What a colossal display this was from Kilman, who is rapidly growing into the role of captain now.
He didn’t appear massively comfortable in the beginning after assuming the armband from Ruben Neves, but Kilman spoke about being Wolves captain in the lead-up to today’s game and it’s clear it’s something he is hugely proud of.
West Brom did apply pressure throughout the game but he, Craig Dawson and Toti Gomes were all fantastic at the back, and Albion were reduced to mainly half-chances.
Kilman was a player who might well have left Wolves in the summer, as the club sought to balance the books. He was linked with a move to Napoli, who saw a big rejected for the defender.
Thankfully, the club kept hold of him, and he is now looking like the player of a couple of years ago when he shone in a three under Bruno Lage.