Wolves produced their best performance of the season to take another three points against Crystal Palace on Friday evening.
After weeks of lacking imagination and a cutting edge, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side finally turned it on at Molineux against the Eagles.
(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
This was a sweet result having conceded late against Newcastle to drop two points, with the team finally finding their rhythm against a Palace side that have started the season well.
There was a debut goal for young Rayan Ait-Nouri – who is on a season-long loan with the club from Angers – and also a first of the season for Daniel Podence, which is no less than he’s deserved given his bright start.
Wolves were at it from minute one, and were much more fluid than in previous weeks, with the full-backs a big threat for the visitors.
(Photo by Andrew Boyers – Pool/Getty Images)
Ait-Nouri was making his debut for the club but he played with outstanding maturity and will surely be the favourite to start at left wing-back against Leicester City.
He grabbed all the headlines last night and probably rightly so, but the man on the opposite flank – Nelson Semedo – was also excellent.
Wolves supporters have been waiting for the game he truly announces himself, and last night’s was that game.
The former Barcelona man was a constant outlet for the likes of Conor Coady and Ruben Neves to hit, and was always on hand to support the attack.
The star completed one key pass, completed four out of four dribbles, won all seven of his ground duels, and made two clearances, two blocks and one interception.
It truly was a fine display that had elements of both attacking and defending, and Wolves fans have been making their appreciation known since the game:
Great result. So many stand out players! Semedo is an absolute rolls-Royce of a footballer #wwfc
โ Jack Raby (@Jack_rab_eye) October 30, 2020
Appreciation post for Semedo #wwfc
Absolute baller he is gonna be. https://t.co/QPPRdY4KNZ
โ Mitch Davis (@mitchdavis_1) October 30, 2020
We looked much better tonight with two natural wing backs playing well. Neves I thought was superb tonight and controlled the midfield. Ait Nouri MOTM though. Fantastic debut. Semedo is gonna be a baller you can see it. #WWFC
โ Dave ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐บ (@dp2885) October 30, 2020
Also, Nelson Semedo is a serious upgrade on Matt Doherty! ๐ #WWFC
โ Jake Longworth (@JakeLongworth) October 30, 2020
As much as we got alot to thank Doherty for, Semedo is different league.
Conor Coady. Man of the Match. Superb
Ait Nouri looks very very promising.
Neves back to his best ๐๐๐#wwfc #WOLCRY #Wolves
โ Matt ๐บ๐งก๐ค ๐๐๐ (@GallimoreMatt) October 30, 2020
Semedo is the real deal, better than a certain Spurs reserve, who we apparently can’t cope without. #wwfc
โ Mike King ๐ฆ๐บ (@GlosterBirder) October 30, 2020
Wolves, I think have started to get going. Nuno has implemented a new style of football, without having a pre-season. Semedo is world class and if Aรฏt-Nouri plays like he did last night, then he will dangerous. Wolves needed goals from other players and this is happening. #wwfc https://t.co/UKIQHMJiGc
โ Graham Palmer (@gjp12775) October 31, 2020
Ait-Nouri and Semedo were brilliant and really showed why we brought them in. Both looked up for it and we just looked so much better with 2 players who can naturally play wing back. What a goal by Ait-Nouri btw ๐คฉ.
โ Josh (@Lem_WWFC) October 31, 2020
semedo emptying his pockets after the game pic.twitter.com/cknHr5Y1x0
โ ๐ช๐ธ (@wwfcBanx_) October 30, 2020