Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2019/20 season was brought to an end on Tuesday evening after a 1-0 loss to Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final.
After a busy campaign spanning over 13 months, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are now finally free to begin their summer break.
Although usually, the new season would already be underway. But after the 3-month delay to the season due to the coronavirus outbreak, teams are well behind the usual schedule.
On this day ten years ago, it was the opening day of the Premier League season and Wolves hosted Midlands rivals Stoke City at Molineux.
Stunning volley gives Wanderers the lead
After an action-packed opening half an hour that included two injuries, a penalty appeal, and a disallowed goal, Wolves opened the scoring in spectacular fashion.
Kevin Foley was fouled on the edge of the area by Dean Whitehead and from the resulting free-kick, Karl Henry stood in front of the ball and the set-piece taker David Jones.
Henry rolled the ball to Jones who superbly flicked it up to himself and volleyed a stunning left-footed striker into the back of the net.
Debut goal
Only two minutes later, Wolves doubled their lead. Christophe Berra worked his way down the right-hand side and floated a cross into the area. The ball deflected to the back post where debutant Steven Fletcher bundled home to make it 2-0.
Fletcher was brought to the Wanderers from Burnley after they were relegated in the previous season. The £6.5 million striker went on to score 22 goals in 61 appearances for the club.
Wolves survive Potters pressure
Stoke were quick out of the blocks and managed to get one back ten minutes into the second half. Matthew Etherington whipped a corner into the area and Senegal defender, Abdoulaye Faye powerfully headed past goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
The Potters pushed for an equaliser and almost got it through Ricardo Fuller but the striker's header failed to trouble Hahnemann. Stephen Ward was the next to have a chance but he missed the target from close range.
Wolves dealt well with the pressure and managed to hang on for the three points in the opening game of the season as Stoke ran out of fight towards the end of the game.