Wolves are flying high under new manager Vitor Pereira and several players have benefitted from his arrival at Molineux.
Pereira secured a handsome 3-0 victory over relegation rivals Leicester City in his first game in charge and then, Wolves clinched a 2-0 win against Manchester United at Molineux.
The three points on Boxing Day were a late Christmas present for supporters as the Old Gold moved out of the relegation zone for the first time since matchday 12.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 16 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 18 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 17 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 29 | 40 | -11 | 15 |
| 18 |  LeicesterLeicester | 18 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 40 | -18 | 14 |
Interestingly, Pereira made history against Man United, becoming the first manager since Sammy Chung in 1977 to win his first two top-flight matches as Wolves manager.
It was a complete performance from the Wanderers, aided by the brilliance of Matheus Cunha and the defensive solidity instilled by the 56-year-old.
Matt Doherty is loving his new role as a centre-back
Wolves have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League and one tactical decision that has proven influential is playing Matt Doherty as a centre-back.
The Republic of Ireland star is normally a flying wing-back, marauding up and down the pitch but in the win over Man United, the 32-year-old started as one of three centre-backs.
Doherty made himself undroppable in the win at Leicester, grabbing an assist at the King Power Stadium, following that display with an impressive performance on Boxing Day.
On the right of a back three with Nelson Semedo flying forward, there was exceptional fluidity on the flank, with Doherty celebrating Pereira’s decision to use him as a centre-back.
“It’s pretty new. There are times where you’re just a normal full-back, but I’m right of the back three at the moment, and I’m enjoying it,” Doherty told Wolves’ official website.
“I’m not bursting my lungs trying to get up and down on the wing all the time. The manager trusted me to do it. He put me in there from his very first session, so he’s obviously seen something, and that’s worked out well so far.”
Clearly, the Irishman is enjoying the tactical flexibility afforded in this system along with the defensive protection provided by Semedo.
Doherty’s impressive statistics vs Man United
Supporters were impressed by how Doherty adapted to his role as a right-sided centre-back against United, with the statistics proving why it was a genius move from Pereira.
Doherty’s statistics vs Man United
- 90 minutes played
- 3 clearances
- 5 interceptions
- 2 tackles
- 2/3 ground duels won
- 5/6 aerial duels won
- 59/70 accurate passes (84%)
- 6/10 accurate long balls
Under O’Neil, the experienced defender was rarely utilised as a starter. However, Doherty’s brilliant performance against West Ham perhaps fuelled Pereira’s passion to use the Irishman.
Luckily, he’s found a place in the lineup which appears to benefit his strengths as a defensive and attacking weapon, combing with Semedo.