Wolverhampton Wanderers ran out 2-1 winners against Southampton in the Premier League yesterday to claim a much-needed three points.
A win at St. Mary’s Stadium was vital following the huge disappointment of the FA Cup fifth-round defeat a few days ago – and a stronger side this time out was able to get the job done.
It was an awful first-half performance and fans were fearing the worst at the break, but the manager clearly lit a fire beneath his players for the second 45.
It took a controversial penalty to tip the momentum in Wolves’ favour, but they were fully worth the three points in the end, despite some dangerous moments for the Saints.
Pedro Neto got the winning goal, which has brought him much adulation on social media.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
He operated mainly on the right in the second-half, where he came up against Southampton’s Ryan Betrand, whom Nuno reserved praise for after the game.
He said, as quoted by The Athletic: “We know how good they are, the standards are high, we always expect them to be the best. But things are tough.
“We play against very tough defenders, for example, when he was on the right Bertrand was amazing by stopping him, shortening the distances. This versatility of changing sides can be good for us.”
Neto should stay wide right
£10 million star Bertrand (BBC Sport) might have done quite well against Neto, but the quality of his goal suggests the 20-year-old should be deployed on that wing from here on in.
It was a tremendous finish from the youngster, opening his body up to shoot with his strong left foot.
Featuring from the left will encourage Neto to come inside, which potentially makes for a better combination with Nelson Semedo who’ll have more room to overlap.