Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina made headlines for Wolves against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend – but there was another brilliant Wolves player whose performance went a bit under the radar.
Wolves now go into the international break on a high after Saturday’s amazing comeback win against Spurs.
Brennan Johnson had given the visitors an early lead at Molineux. But, after training well in the week according to Gary O’Neil, Sarabia came off the bench to score a stunning equaliser, and then set up Lemina for a 97th-minute winner.
There were scenes of bedlam at the end, and Wolves were fully worth their victory. It was especially sweet following that agonising defeat to Sheffield United the weekend before.
Sarabia and Lemina both came in clutch for Wolves.
But there was another Wolves player who arguably had one of his best games of the season so far…
Joao Gomes was absolutely superb in Wolves’ 2-1 win over Tottenham
Lemina was a colossus in midfield on Saturday, but the man next to him Joao Gomes was every bit as good.
The Brazilian got the nod from Gary O’Neil to start, having been put on the bench for the games against Newcastle United and Sheffield United.
Perhaps this was the fuel for him, because Gomes played like a man possessed on Saturday.
Sofascore data indicates that Gomes had 70 touches in the match, indicating him as one of the most involved players. Only Rayan Ait-Nouri had more.
He was superb in possession, completing 44/48 passes for an accuracy of 92%. One of these counted as a ‘key’ pass.
But Wolves fans know Gomes to be all about the dirty work. Against Spurs he made three interceptions and two tackles. He also contested 10 duels, winning five.
That’s how you respond to being benched
Gomes hasn’t quite had the same plaudits as the likes of Lemina and Sarabia, who got the goals for Wolves, but it really was some performance from the Brazilian.
The partnership he’s formed with Lemina in the engine room is fantastic to see. For years, Wolves fans feasted their eyes upon the technical brilliance of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho.
There wasn’t so much ball-winning and tenacity before, but now the midfield has those things in abundance.
£30,000-a-week star Gomes deserves great credit for his display. To perform like that after starting the last two games on the bench is fantastic. That is exactly how you respond.