Southampton 2-3 Wolves: Raul Jimenez scores twice to seal remarkable win
Raul Jimenez (left) has been directly involved in 27 goals for Wolves in all competitions this season (18 goals, nine assists) - more than any other player for a Premier League club in 2019-20
Mexican striker Raul Jimenez scored twice as Wolves magnificently came from 2-0 down to win at in-form Southampton.
The Saints looked set for their sixth victory in seven games when Jan Bednarek hooked in and Shane Long headed home for his first of the season.
However, the momentum shifted after the break. Portuguese teenager Pedro Neto, exceptional for Wolves so far this season, reduced the deficit after controlling Adama Traore's delivery from the right.
Jimenez slotted home from the spot to bring the scores level after Jonny had been sandwiched by Jack Stephens and Bednarek. Referee Darren England, making his Premier League debut, pointed for a corner before his decision was overturned by VAR.
And with 14 minutes left the fightback was complete when Jimenez stroked in after more good work from Traore.
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Jimenez leads remarkable turnaround
A popular post-match question to Nuno Espirito Santo might be, "what did you say to them at half-time?"
Wolves were relatively abject in that opening period. Neither Jimenez, Neto nor Traore made many in-roads into the Southampton area.
Some might have thought that this long season for Wolves, which started back at the end of July, was beginning to take its toll on the players - after all, they had experienced three defeats and two draws in the previous five games.
But in Nuno they have one of the best motivators in this league. The team also has a precocious talent in Neto.
The 19-year-old, who appears destined for greater achievements, set Wolves on their way when he brought down Traore's ball brilliantly before striking past Alex McCarthy.
The home crowd at St Mary's then fell almost silent as VAR overturned England's initial 'no penalty' decision before Jimenez slotted home.
The forward, at the forefront of all that has been good for the Midlands side, then capped off a great day for the visitors when he converted Traore's cross.
Saints brought back to earth
All good things come to an end, and this ended with a thump to the face for Ralph Hasenhuttl.
But if he erases the woeful second-half capitulation from his mind and focuses on the first half then there are positives.
The first being Long. The Austrian boss was recently glowing about the 32-year-old, highlighting how his workrate and effervescent attitude in attack have aided both strike-partner Danny Ings and the side in recent weeks.
He would have had a smile as wide as anybody's when Long finally ended a drought going back to April with a stopping header from Cedric Soares' cross.
As for Bednarek, he scored his first since April 2018. James Ward-Prowse delivered a free-kick from the right and the Polish centre-back hooked home from 12 yards.
That run of wins prior to Saturday moved the Saints into mid-table - it is important they rediscover the form that took them there.
Man of the match - Adama Traore
A tough call considering Raul Jimenez scored twice, but Traore set up two of Wolves' goals and deserves the nodWhat's next?
Wolves are at home to Liverpool on Thursday (20:00 GMT) and Southampton are at Crystal Palace on Tuesday (19:30 GMT).
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Southampton
1McCarthy
2Cédric Soares
5Stephens
35BednarekBooked at 57mins
21Bertrand
17ArmstrongSubstituted forDjenepoat 71'minutes
16Ward-ProwseBooked at 29mins
23Højbjerg
22RedmondSubstituted forBoufalat 78'minutes
7LongSubstituted forAdamsat 71'minutes
9Ings
Substitutes
4Vestergaard
10Adams
12Djenepo
14Romeu
19Boufal
20Obafemi
28Gunn
Wolves
11Rui Patrício
32Dendoncker
16Coady
27Saïss
2Doherty
28João Moutinho
8NevesBooked at 88mins
19Castro Otto
7NetoSubstituted forKilmanat 86'minutes
9Jiménez
37Traoré
Substitutes
6Cavaco Jordao
17Gibbs-White
21Ruddy
33Giles
49Kilman
56Ashley-Seal
59Buur
Referee:
Darren England
Attendance:
31,152
Match Stats
Home TeamSouthamptonAway TeamWolves
Possession
Home53%
Away47%
Shots
Home11
Away8
Shots on Target
Home5
Away4
Corners
Home1
Away3
Fouls
Home13
Away12
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Southampton 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3.
Full TimePosted at 90'+7'
Second Half ends, Southampton 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3.
Posted at 90'+5'
Attempt missed. Sofiane Boufal (Southampton) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.
Posted at 90'+5'
Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Leander Dendoncker.
Posted at 90'+4'
Foul by Moussa Djenepo (Southampton).
Posted at 90'+4'
Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+2'
Attempt missed. Jack Stephens (Southampton) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by James Ward-Prowse with a cross.
Posted at 90'
Cédric Soares (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 90'
Foul by Romain Saïss (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
BookingPosted at 88'
Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 88'
Sofiane Boufal (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 88'
Foul by Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
SubstitutionPosted at 86'
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Maximilian Kilman replaces Pedro Neto.
Posted at 84'
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 84'
Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Posted at 79'
Offside, Southampton. Jan Bednarek tries a through ball, but Che Adams is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 78'
Substitution, Southampton. Sofiane Boufal replaces Nathan Redmond.
Posted at 77'
VAR Decision: Goal Wolverhampton Wanderers - Southampton 2-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Raúl Jiménez).
Goal!Posted at 76'
Goal! Southampton 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 3. Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Adama Traoré.Goal confirmed following VAR Review.
Posted at 73'
Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 73'
Foul by Che Adams (Southampton).
Posted at 73'
Attempt saved. Moussa Djenepo (Southampton) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 72'
Foul by Jonny (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Posted at 72'
Moussa Djenepo (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 71'
Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rui Patrício tries a through ball, but Raúl Jiménez is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 71'
Substitution, Southampton. Moussa Djenepo replaces Stuart Armstrong.
SubstitutionPosted at 71'
Substitution, Southampton. Che Adams replaces Shane Long.
Posted at 68'
Attempt missed. Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Posted at 67'
Nathan Redmond (Southampton) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Ryan Bertrand with a headed pass.
Goal!Posted at 65'
Goal! Southampton 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Posted at 63'
VAR Decision: Penalty Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Posted at 62'
Penalty Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jonny draws a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 62'
Penalty conceded by Jack Stephens (Southampton) after a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 61'
Foul by Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Posted at 61'
Shane Long (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 59'
Foul by Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Posted at 59'
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 58'
Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. João Moutinho tries a through ball, but Romain Saïss is caught offside.
BookingPosted at 57'
Jan Bednarek (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 57'
Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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goal
Source: bbc.com
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