Wolves finally got their first Premier League win of the season against Southampton on Saturday.
It was a must-win game for Gary O’Neil going into the international break, and the Wolves manager can now expect to take the next match against Fulham.
Had he not taken three points against the Saints, Fosun may well have had a decision to make regarding his future.
Some Wolves fans still feel the club should sack O’Neil. But that is now very unlikely to happen.
On Saturday, O’Neil’s side were not at their best. But thankfully Matheus Cunha provided two moments of real quality to help Wolves get over the line.
And former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has made a rather big claim about the Brazilian after his superb display.
Deeney says Matheus Cunha made him lose his composure with goal for Wolves v Southampton
Southampton dominated the ball against Wolves, having 71% possession.
But ultimately, the Saints struggled to actually really threaten Jose Sa, and the three Wolves centre-backs Craig Dawson, Santi Bueno and Toti Gomes were all fairly solid.
But Wolves also had some trouble creating chances.
But Cunha helped Wolves get ahead early doors when he drove forward from the left and played in Pablo Sarabia.
He then scored a thunderbolt in the second-half.
Troy Deeney has included Cunha in his latest Premier League Team of the Week for BBC Sport, and believes the star was simply a cut above every other player on the pitch.
He said: “There are few games I have been to this year when I look at one player and think ‘he is better than every other player on that pitch’.
“But Cunha was miles better than Southampton and his Wolves teammates. He was a level of class above. Look at the way he carries the ball and the defensive work he does – and it was the first time my wife has told me off for screaming at a goal, when he put his strike in the top corner. So he gets extra credit for making me lose my composure.”
Cunha is Wolves’ best player
It is difficult these days to think of any other star than Cunha being Wolves’ best player.
The Brazilian is a magnificent ball-carrier, and a big goal threat, and is just a total handful for opposition defenders.
Wolves weren’t really at the races against Southampton which was concerning. But his quality was the difference on the day.
| Matheus Cunha for Wolves (all competitions) |
| Appearances – 68 |
| Goals – 21 |
| Assists – 11 |
If Wolves can keep him fit this season, then hopefully his attacking quality can help the team start climbing the table.
It is probably a bit overboard from Deeney to say that Cunha is ‘miles better’ than his teammates, as there are several very talented players on the books at Molineux right now, such as Joao Gomes, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Andre.
But surely, Cunha is comfortably top of the pile.