Pedro Neto sprints across the pitch to celebrate after Joao Gomes' winner for Wolves against Southampton
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Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

Pedro Neto sprints across the pitch to celebrate after Joao Gomes' winner for Wolves against Southampton

Wolves fans were loving Pedro Neto yesterday as the winger sprinted across the pitch to join the celebrations when Joao Gomes scored the winner in the 2-1 result over Southampton.

The winger was back on the bench, having now recovered from an ankle injury.

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Neto has not featured for Wolves since October.

The 22-year-old had ankle surgery after limping off against West Ham United, and has spent the last few months recovering.

Yesterday, he was finally part of the matchday squad again.

In the end, there was to be no return for Neto, who will still be lacking match sharpness.

Julen Lopetegui had to make other changes to try and change the outcome of the game.

At half-time, he brought on Hugo Bueno and Adama Traore.

And he then sent on Diego Costa, Gomes and Jonny Castro Otto at various points in the second-half.

The changes were superb, and helped Wolves turn things around.

It was the introduction of Gomes that ultimately tipped the balance in Wolves’ favour.

The Brazilian, already something of a cult hero at Wolves, came on for his debut, and struck the winner around 10 minutes from the end.

Gomes latched onto a loose ball, drove forward and shot from the edge of the box. It was initially blocked, but he then produced a lovely controlled finish into the corner.

Gomes’ goal prompted absolute bedlam in the away end.

And footage from the stands caught Neto actually sprinting across the pitch to join the celebrations in the corner furthest away from the dugouts.

Pedro Neto antics just show how much it means, as Joao Gomes hits late winner for Wolves against Southampton

He may well face some retrospective punishment, but it was fantastic to see Neto sprinting over to join the celebrations.

He didn’t get on in the game, but Neto is clearly a huge team player and was delighted for young Gomes.

It just shows the passion, and how much it means to pick up points.

Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

Neto’s reaction was very understandable as well, given the hardship Wolves faced in the game.

It was an uphill battle after going a goal down and losing Mario Lemina. But the players showed brilliant character, and the outpouring of emotion at the end was completely justified.