Wolves secured a priceless 2-0 victory over Southampton to move up to 18th in the Premier League, somewhat relieving the pressure off Gary O’Neil.
The Wolves manager knew that this match was a must-win to save his job and he would have been delighted when Pablo Sarabia scored their quickest ever Premier League goal.
Matheus Cunha played the ball through to the Spaniard, who rounded Aaron Ramsdale and tapped the ball home inside two minutes.
O’Neil’s men produced a nervy performance for most of the game and needed that second goal to relieve the tension around Molineux, and Cunha delivered.
The Brazilian doubled his side’s lead with a superb curled effort in the second half, as Cunha proved he’s too good for Wolves.
Why Pablo Sarabia was substituted at halftime against Southampton
One big decision O’Neil had to make before the game was whether to start Sarabia after Wolves fans criticised him in the draw against Crystal Palace.
Journalist Liam Keen even suggested that Sarabia should be dropped however, the Spanish playmaker quickly made him eat his words after scoring a well-taken goal.
The 32-year-old showed calmness in the box, something that deceived him against the Eagles, to put his side ahead early on.
Sarabia drove Wolves forward down the right and linked up well with his teammates, though his afternoon was cut short when he was taken off at half-time for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
This would have been a surprise to many given how important he was in the first half, with O’Neil since confirming that the winger had a tight calf while explaining why he selected him despite previous criticism.
“Part of my team selection today was people who could handle the pressure, I knew Sarabia would be up to that. Tight calf forced him off,” O’Neil said as per Nathan Judah on X.
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Sarabia can still play a vital role for Wolves
Although Sarabia’s contract expires in 2025 and he’s likely to leave Molineux, he can still play a vital role in Wolves’ fight for survival.
The former PSG attacker has rarely featured in the opening months of the season but in the past three matches, he’s showcased his worth.
Sarabia changed the game in the second half against Brighton, and although he was poor in the clash with Palace, he was still a constant threat.
His sharp runs across the face of the box are crucial to opening up space and when there is someone of Cunha’s quality on the ball, he’s going to find him, just like he did today.