Wolves secured a crucial victory over Bournemouth, easing their relegation fears with a disciplined and determined performance. Matheus Cunha’s winning goal proved decisive, as Bournemouth’s aspirations of breaking into the top four took a significant hit. A red card for Illia Zabarnyi added to the home side’s frustrations, but Wolves’ organization and resilience ultimately earned them all three points.
Bournemouth entered the match with high hopes, knowing a win could push them into the Champions League spots. However, they struggled to match the intensity of their opponents, who executed a simple yet effective strategy minimize mistakes and feed the ball to Cunha. Under new management, Wolves have steadily improved, displaying defensive solidity and tactical discipline.
The early stages saw Bournemouth dominate possession, forcing Wolves to defend deep. But warning signs emerged for the hosts when Nélson Semedo struck the post and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde tested Kepa Arrizabalaga with a powerful shot. At the other end, José Sá reacted well to deny Justin Kluivert, ensuring the visitors remained level.
The game’s turning point arrived when Zabarnyi’s challenge, initially deemed a yellow-card offense, was upgraded to red after a VAR review. The decision sparked controversy, with Bournemouth’s manager arguing that replays exaggerated the incident. With a numerical advantage, Wolves capitalized as Bournemouth’s defensive reshuffle led to confusion. Dean Huijsen and James Hill misread a bouncing ball, allowing Cunha to pounce and slot home the decisive goal.
Bournemouth struggled to find a response, despite tactical adjustments that saw Dango Ouattara deployed in an unfamiliar left wing-back role. Semedo nearly sealed the win, only to be denied by Kepa, while Marshall Munetsi missed another clear chance. As the clock ticked down, Wolves managed the game efficiently, frustrating their opponents and limiting their attacking threats.
Substitutions failed to turn the tide for Bournemouth, as Ryan Christie was replaced by Tyler Adams and Kluivert made way despite being one of their more dangerous players. The introduction of Evanilson was surprisingly withheld, further reducing the home side’s attacking options.
With time running out, Bournemouth’s frustration grew. David Brooks, brought on late, showed an unexpected aggression in midfield battles, but Wolves remained composed. Jørgen Strand Larsen, introduced at halftime, played a key role in winning fouls and maintaining possession alongside Cunha, whose confidence was evident following his fourth goal in as many games.
As the final whistle blew, Wolves celebrated a well-earned victory, their survival hopes strengthened. Their manager, pleased with the team’s emotional balance and discipline, hinted at a modest celebration, emphasizing the importance of securing three points first. For Bournemouth, a reality check as their Champions League ambitions suffered a setback, with expectations proving to be a heavier burden than anticipated.
