Wolves have won their first game of the Vitor Pereira era – and fans have thoroughly enjoyed themselves today.
Wanderers beat Leicester City 3-0 at the King Power Stadium, with Wolves putting in one of their best displays all season.
The ‘new manager bounce’ theory was in full effect for Wolves, and all the damage was done in the first-half.
Wolves took the lead through Goncalo Guedes, before Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha completed a brilliant half of football from the visitors.
In the second-half it was really just a case of Wolves managing the game – and they did just that with some brilliant possession football.
It was another good afternoon for Guedes, and an interesting statistic is already doing the rounds.
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Goncalo Guedes has more contributions than Jota and Rashford as Wolves beat Leicester
For many, it is a surprise Goncalo Guedes is still a Wolves player at this point.
Early in the summer, there was speculation he would be leaving the club, but he ended up sticking around and was reintegrated by Gary O’Neil.
Guedes staying has proven to be a very good thing for Wolves.
With his two contributions today, he has now scored five goals and made four assists across all competitions.
Stat Muse have noted that this means he now has more contributions that some similar players to him in the Premier League, such as Diogo Jota, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon and Leandro Trossard, who will all likely be a bit red-faced over their own output given Guedes’ goal contribution numbers against his minutes on the pitch.
Amazingly though, Guedes has only played 417 minutes this season. This is fewer minutes on the pitch than all of those players mentioned.
Wolves must keep Guedes beyond January
What a day for Wolves and Pereira, and fans will now feel much more optimistic about the club’s chances of survival.
Today was always going to be about being much more solid at the back, and Wolves were just that. And then, when the chances came in the final third, Wolves were clinical.
Guedes has been terrific this season for Wolves.
| Goncalo Guedes for Wolves this season |
| Appearances – 15 |
| Minutes played – 491 |
| Goals – 5 |
| Assists – 4 |
No one expected him to be here at this point, but he’s made some fantastic and regular contributions, and isn’t allowing himself to be outshone by the likes of Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen, who have both played far more minutes.
Not only that, but the work-rate has definitely been there as well. He hasn’t looked like someone who doesn’t want to play for Wolves.
Guedes is reportedly a target for Villarreal in January. But there’s just no way Pereira can allow him to leave given what he’s shown in such limited game time this season.