Wolves ran out 3-1 winners in their final pre-season friendly match against Rennes and Rayan Ait-Nouri scored a sensational volley – but he was not the only Wolves player to do that yesterday.
Wanderers produced a fine display at Molineux against the Ligue 1 side.
Wolves opened the scoring when Pablo Sarabia floated a corner to the back post, and Ait-Nouri lashed in a jumping volley.
It was an incredible goal from the Algeria international.
Rennes equalised from the penalty spot though Benjamin Bourigeaud, following a questionable decision from the referee.
But Wolves restored their lead in the second-half through Joao Gomes, before Hwang Hee-chan scored to take the game away from Rennes’.
A lot of talk has been about Ait-Nouri’s fine strike.
It really was fantastic technique and a very aesthetically-pleasing goal.
But he actually wasn’t the only Wolves player yesterday to score in that manner.
Ki-Jana Hoever bags a beauty for Stoke City
Yesterday, Stoke City were taking on Rotherham United in their first Championship game of the season.
There was a start for Hoever at right-back, with Chiquinho on the bench. Both players are on loan for the 2023/24 season.
After just five minutes, Hoever, who spent the second half of last season with the Potters, reminded Stoke fans of his quality.
Not to be outdone by Ait-Nouri earlier in the day, Hoever produced a sensational finish.
Stoke took a quick throw in and the ball was floated to the back post where an unmarked Hoever was ghosting in.
The Dutchman met the ball perfectly, and side-footed it with power in off the underside of the crossbar.
Like Ait-Nouri, it was superb technique, and it is definitely an early contender for Championship Goal of the Month.
A great start for Hoever at Stoke
What a goal this was from Hoever and what a start for him this season.
It’s a big campaign for him.
He really impressed last season when he joined the club mid-season and it looks as though he has picked up where he left off. Manager Alex Neil is already taken by him.
It has been tough for Hoever in the last couple of seasons.
He didn’t feature much at all for Wolves, but now it’s a chance for him to play regularly and show that he can be an option for Wolves in 2024/25. He did, after all, signed a new contract with Wolves before departing on loan.
That shows there could well be a future for him at Molineux.