We look back at four things we learned after Wolves emphatically beat capital side Brentford 4-1 to earn back-to-back victories in the festive period.
An excellent start from Gary O’Neil’s side quickly put Wolves 2-0 up after 14 minutes thanks to goals from Mario Lemina and Hwang Hee-Chan. Brentford soon got one back but Hwang once again found the back of the net to restore the visitor’s two-goal lead in the first half.
Despite the visitors pushing heavily for a way back into the game in the second period, Wolves struck again as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde rounded off the win with a fourth.
Multiple players were outstanding in the capital. It was a brilliant follow-up from the side’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Molineux on Christmas Eve.
Now, looking back on the game, we examine four things that we learned after another brilliant performance.
Hwang Hee-Chan finds the mark again
The South Korean is now up to 10 goals this campaign after another inspirational display at Brentford.
After going 1-0 up, Hwang found the back of the net just 12 seconds after Brentford kicked off as he pounced on a mistake from former Wolves man Nathan Collins. Later in the half, he then netted his second.
After a great clearance from Toti Gomes, Hwang was on his toes and controlled the ball brilliantly after it split through the backline. He then calmly slotted the ball past the ‘keeper to put Wolves in control once again.
The South Korean has really stepped up since Pedro Neto’s injury and was no doubt the difference again today despite only being on for 45 minutes.
Gary O’Neil gets subs spot on again
After getting the substitutions perfect against Chelsea, O’Neil continued this trend against Brentford on Wednesday night.
With Hwang being forced off just before half-time, the manager opted to bring on Bellegarde who was magnificent at pushing Wolves further forward.
The midfielder would often help relieve the pressure Brentford were imposing on O’Neil’s side and help present a couple of good chances.
Matt Doherty also had another effective cameo and it also looked as if Pedro Neto would make his long-awaited return late on. However, a deserved goal from Bellegarde saw the manager opt to not risk the winger as Wolves saw out another great victory.
Wolves end away-day woes
It has been a difficult period on the road for Wolves so far this season. The club have only picked up two victories away to Everton and Bournemouth and lost many games they expected to win.
The most notable of these was the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United on Bonfire Night to gift the Yorkshire side their first league win of the season.
Going into the Brentford game on the back of four away defeats on the spin, many presumed it would be another tough game for Wolves. However, it ended up being a comprehensive victory in the end and gave the visitors their biggest win in the Premier League since they overcame Liverpool 3-0 last season.
Are Wolves in the hunt for Europe?
Despite fears of relegation at the start of the season, Wolves have easily pulled away from the bottom three this season.
The result against Brentford puts the side 10 points clear of the relegation zone and many fans at the club may be looking up the table after the 4-1 victory.
Wolves are currently six points off Man United in sixth and could easily reduce that gap on current form. The club should arguably be higher in the table as well due to VAR mistakes which have affected O’Neil’s side throughout the season.
Eighth place may well be enough to secure European football next season as well thanks to new rules from UEFA.
Therefore, a return to the European theatre for Wolves may not be out of the question for O’Neil’s side.