0-1, min. 3, Kluivert. 1-1, min. 5, Strand Larsen. 1-2, min. 8, Kerkez. 1-3, min. 18, Kluivert. 2-3, min. 69, Strand Larsen. 2-4, min. 74, Kluivert.
Entering this weekend unbeaten in four, Wolves saw a lot of their hard work in recent weeks become undone by Bournemouth at Molineux.
Justin Kluivert's hat-trick of penalties, alongside a strong effort from Milos Kerkez, saw the Cherries take all three points back to the south coast.
Without a discernible style of play, Wolves struggled against a relentless Bournemouth press in the first half, gift-wrapping four golden chances in front of goal for the visitors.
Concerning over-reliance on Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha has firmly established himself as the undisputed talisman for Wolves, frequently the player fans and teammates rely on for moments of brilliance on the pitch.
In recent weeks, his performances have been instrumental in his side's positive run of form, highlighting a growing concern about the team’s heavy dependence on the Brazilian playmaker.
Against Andoni Iraola’s high-energy Bournemouth side, Wolves often found themselves outnumbered in central areas. This left Cunha isolated and overwhelmed by defenders, as his teammates struggled to create meaningful opportunities around him.
After earning widespread acclaim for his display at Craven Cottage last week, this weekend’s match underscored just how pivotal the 25-year-old is to Wolves' success. It also raised pressing questions about the team’s vulnerability when circumstances prevent Cunha from delivering at his best.
Wolves lack ideas under pressure
As previously noted, Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola operates as a well-oiled pressing machine, a fact Gary O'Neil would have undoubtedly been aware of heading into the match.
However, significant concerns emerged from Wolves' apparent lack of a clear structure or tactical approach to counteract this relentless pressure.
The first half saw Wolves repeatedly overrun in central areas, struggling to build from the back and gifting Bournemouth multiple scoring opportunities. Despite the obvious challenges posed by Bournemouth's press, Wolves stubbornly persisted with attempts to play through congested central zones. This left Joao Gomes and Andre particularly exposed, as they battled against Bournemouth's tireless approach.
The game’s pivotal moment came when Justin Kluivert converted a penalty just minutes after Wolves had clawed back a lifeline in the second half. A misplaced pass from Craig Dawson allowed Evanilson to intercept and force a foul from Jose Sa, exemplifying Wolves' ongoing struggles in possession and the costly errors that ensue under pressure.
Further goalkeeping dilemma
Jose Sa did little to strengthen his case for retaining the number one spot at Wolves with a turbulent performance on Saturday afternoon.
While the blame for Wolves' struggles was not solely his, the Portuguese goalkeeper played a central role in two of the three penalties awarded to Bournemouth. The overall lackadaisical attempts to play out from the back, coupled with well-documented struggles with the ball at his feet, left Wolves exposed, a vulnerability known to fans and likely to Gary O’Neil as well.
Sa’s rash decision-making came to the forefront as he fouled Evanilson on two separate occasions, drawing the spotlight of referee Peter Bankes.
Adding to the on-field woes, Sa became embroiled in a half-time incident in the Jack Hayward Stand, where an altercation with a supporter sparked a chaotic scene. As tensions escalated, other fans rallied in Sa's defence, leading to a melee that ended with one individual being ejected from the stadium.
The episode capped a miserable afternoon for Wolves and O’Neil, with Sa’s far-from-convincing performance both on and off the pitch compounding an already forgettable day.
Jørgen Strand Larsen is the man to lead the line
On a brighter note, Saturday afternoon once again showcased why Jørgen Strand Larsen is poised to spearhead Gary O'Neil's attacking setup moving forward.
Larsen's towering header in the first half and composed finish past Kepa in the second brought his Premier League tally to six goals this season, an impressive return that underscores his growing influence.
Beyond the goals, his ability to occupy central defenders and consistently unsettle opposition backlines is something Wolves have sorely missed since Raul Jimenez's unfortunate injury in 2020.
The bittersweet reality for Wolves fans, however, is that this uptick in attacking output has coincided with a decline in overall form. Yet, Larsen's returns in front of goal are doing enough to strongly suggest that he is the striker Wolves can build around moving forward.
