Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrate a moment of good fortune after Joachim Andersen's own goal put the hosts ahead. summary 2022-23
So the race for 12th place is heating up. This is the perch that Crystal Palace are supposedly destined to rest so often. However, with Wolves' victory here secured by a very early own goal by Joachim Andersen and an equally belated penalty from Ruben Neves, they equaled Palace on points. Now the two are tied for tenth place.
It was another step towards turning Molineux into a fortress: the Wolves won their sixth home league win in eight games in 2023. It is noteworthy that all seven of the Wolves' top division victories here were scored to zero. Conversely, it was the first miscalculation in Roy Hodgson's return to Crystal Palace. They were, however, more aesthetically pleasing.
While it hardly speaks of lofty ambitions, mid-table mediocrity would suit both teams this season. The interval performance of «Better Days» by local singer Sophia Saffarian had a double meaning. The periods of the current campaign are remembered with a touch of sadness. Now, however, they expect something.
It was the middle of the week, rotation night. Julien Lopetegui made three changes, including reinstating Neves. Hodgson made four substitutions, including the entire midfield.
However, from Hodgson's point of view, the start was imperfect. Diego Costa, who recently displayed the traits of the snarling striker that English football once loved to hate, forced Sam Johnston to handily pass. The resulting corner — swinger Neves — was turned out from under the crossbar by the unlucky Joachim Andersen. On top of that, the Wolves had the most joy in attack before the break on the right. Neves found overlapping runs of Nelson Semedo with ease, but there were no further results.
Palace's first half was strange. Most of the time they fought for possession. At first, Hodgson would have been sharply criticized, the reason for this was the newly assembled midfield trio. However, the way his unexpected but joyful return began gives him temporary immunity.
But when they had the ball, Palace sparkled. By the break they should have equalized. Hodgson has unlocked inner confidence among his attackers, meaning that fluid close-quarters interactions are their thing. On one such occasion, Michael Oliz slipped in Alberta Sambi Lokong, but the further slip caused embarrassment to the Arsenal tenant. Molyneux roared merrily; Lokonga covered his face.
This was followed by a couple of moments of Eberchi Eze. He first turned around Neves and eluded Mario Lemina. Most expected the mesh to burst, but he hit José Sa directly. The next was a sublime touch to take down the cross. From the break, Luka Milivojevic struck from a distance. However, the loose ball went to Lokonga. A chance for redemption? Yes, for Sa, who, after making a mistake in the loss to Leicester last weekend, showed a strong left fist.
The second period was almost gone until Craig Dawson headed in the middle. By the way, the way Dawson ended the evening without a yellow card is mysterious.
Of course, Eze had more moments. From one half-cleared corner, Eze made a touchdown for 20 yards before forcing Sa to trip the kick with his left foot. A few seconds later, another shot from Eze was blocked. Then things got a little funny, with a flurry of orders and benches exchanging expletives. There was a lot of noise for very little.
Until Johnston's wild injury time attack on the newly introduced Neto happened. Perhaps it should have brought the red. The penalty was awarded, and then Neves converted. His celebrations indicate that he has not yet left Wolverhampton.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace squads 2022-23
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