A sensational first-half showing on the south coast earned Wolves successive Premier League wins. Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez scored impressively against Bournemouth, capping another brilliant display to build on their form before the international break.
Moutinho’s brilliant free-kick was added to by Jimenez, who was set up by Adama Traore once again, before the hosts were reduced to two men after a pair of Simon Francis fouls of Diogo Jota. Steve Cook’s header reduced the deficit after the interval, but Wolves showed their game management to see out the win.
Kick-off in Dorset brought the start of the winter cycle of games, but it was Bournemouth who were almost caught cold early on, as Ruben Neves lined up a volley and didn’t miss by much. It was his fellow midfielder who came close next, as Traore and Jonny Otto combined to set up Moutinho, but again he couldn’t find the target from the edge of the box.
However, the Portuguese was simply fine-tuning his radar, and put Wolves ahead with a piece of magic. Wolves were frustrated when Jota’s charge towards goal was halted by a cynical Francis foul, but it mattered not, as Moutinho whipped a stunning free-kick into the top corner.
Wolves tails were up, and it took them no time to double their lead. Moutinho was once again involved, freeing Traore with a clever free-kick and the Spaniard, rocking a new hairstyle, slid across goal for Jimenez to convert his sixth goal in seven matches.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were enjoying themselves in the opening period and were close to extending their lead as Jota set up Jimenez, who looked to have bundled the ball over the line, only for Steve Cook to sweep off the line.
Their advantage would improve numerically too, as Jota skipped past Francis once again, only to be pulled back by the Cherries captain. Simon Hooper consulted VAR and there was little surprise inside the Vitality Stadium when a second yellow came out and Bournemouth were down to ten men.
Half-time: Bournemouth 0 Wolves 2
Eddie Howe rang the changes at the break and Bournemouth were rewarded for an improved start to the second period with a route back into the game. It came from a set piece and was a goal of simplicity as Steve Cook rose highest to glance home Ryan Fraser’s corner and reignite the contest.
That goal made for a fascinating second-half, with both sides flying forward in search of the next goal. Neves and Romain Saiss both came close from range for Wolves, before Moutinho sent Jota through, with the whole Bournemouth half to run into and, after steadying himself, the forward unleashed a powerful strike, only to be denied by an impressive Aaron Ramsdale save.
As for the hosts, Nathan Ake thought he’d equalised with a spectacular effort, only for Rui Patricio to prove a strong save, before watching his captain Conor Coady keep out Steve Cook’s rebound, and the pair’s defending was rewarded as Arnaut Danjuma cleared the crossbar and Wolves saw out the win.
Full-time: Bournemouth 1 Wolves 2
Bournemouth: Ramsdale, Smith, Francis, Ake, S Cook, Rico, L Cook (Gosling 76), Billing (Lerma 46), Fraser, H Wilson (Groeneveld 46), C Wilson.
Unused subs: Boruc, Mepham, Stacey, Solanke.
Wolves: Patricio, Doherty, Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Traore, Jota (Vinagre 89), Jimenez.
Unused subs: Ruddy, Vallejo, Kilman, Perry, Neto, Cutrone.
