Matheus Cunha produced a dazzling display as Wolverhampton Wanderers claimed a crucial 2-0 victory over fellow relegation battlers Southampton, providing a much-needed boost to their Premier League campaign.
Wolves had not won a game in ten previous attempts, but the former RB Leipzig attacker spearheaded them to three points as they moved away from the foot of the table.
The Brazilian forward caught the eye of Premier League legend Alan Shearer, who praised Cunha’s impact on the game.
“The Brazilian stepped up when his team really needed him, providing an assist before scoring a sensational goal,” Shearer said (via the Premier League website).
Cunha’s creative flair has been evident throughout the season, ranking third in the league for completed through-balls and 11th for completed dribbles.
Despite Wolves’ dire form, only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo have scored more open-play goals. Only Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer have created more big chances (nine) for others.
Most were missed. Sarabia squandered two glorious one-on-one chances against Crystal Palace before seizing upon his through-ball early in the game against Southampton.
Only Salah has made more fast breaks, and Cunha looks capable of keeping Wolves up if they can tighten up at the back.
Despite their defensive vulnerabilities, Wolves showed resilience and organisation against Southampton. They limited the visitors to just one shot on target, demonstrating a newfound defensive solidity.
While Cunha’s attacking prowess has been undeniable, Wolves must continue to improve their defensive performance to secure their Premier League status.
If they can maintain this level of defensive discipline, coupled with the attacking brilliance of Cunha and other key players, they can climb the table and avoid relegation.
Next, Wolves travel to London to take on Marco Silva’s Fulham. The Cottagers are flying high in the league, sitting seventh on the log. They defeated Crystal Palace in their last match-up and will back themselves to get a result against Wolves.