The Belgian was a constant threat throughout the clash in north London, playing a major role in Raul Jimenez’s early opener – pulling a save from Hugo Lloris, which the Frenchman could only hand to the Wolves striker – before putting his team in the driving seat by adding the second 10 minutes later.
Impressing in a midfield trio alongside Ruben Neves and Academy graduate Luke Cundle, who was handed his first senior start in gold and black, Dendoncker believed his teammates did their jobs ‘perfectly’ to bounce back from a disappointing result on Thursday night.
On a ‘perfect’ performance
“It was a massive win because we were really disappointed after the Arsenal game, as we believed we deserved more out of that game but didn’t get the result we wanted. Today we showed a really good reaction and everyone has done their job perfectly.
“I don’t think we played bad at all against Arsenal, but we didn’t manage to score and we didn’t create enough clear-cut chances either. But today, especially in the first-half, we controlled the game really well and showed what we are capable of.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, but after 20 minutes, we were 2-0 up, and by half-time, it could’ve been more because we had two or three more chances. They obviously had one or two themselves, but I think we defended really well in the second-half because we knew how important it was to defend our own goal and not concede.
“We managed to do that really well, we were organised and although we didn’t play that well on the ball in the second-half, I think we really deserved the win.”
On seeing out the game for three points
“Our organisation is the most important thing. We know exactly what we have to do through the game and we really train hard during the week on every tactical aspect of the game, and it means we’re as prepared as possible, and I think you could see that today, especially in the first-half and the way we played.
“We had moments where we were really good and we made it very difficult for them. In the second-half, we had to defend more because we were 2-0 up and knew they were going to come and try to create chances, which they did.
“We knew it was going to be tough in a stadium like this against a very good team, but if you know what to do, you can be really confident and control the game very well, and that’s the way you win games in the Premier League.”
On scoring his first top-flight goal of the season
“It’s always special to score, especially in the Premier League. It’s a special feeling, especially in a ground like this, a stadium like this, because it’s a fantastic stadium.
“But my chance is always there to help the team to get three points, because helping the team always comes first, but to score and to help the team is always a special feeling.”
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On the performances of Kilman and Cundle
“I think Max has shown throughout this season how capable he is in the Premier League. I knew he was capable of doing what he’s done, but he’s had to be patient and wait for his opportunity.
“I knew it was going to come because he’s been training really hard during the last few seasons, and now he’s a really good player, and he deserves everything he’s getting.
“With Luke, he did a really good job, especially coming into a game against an opponent like this, but he played as he trains. He’s a really good player as well and really good on the ball, so I’m happy for both of them, because they deserve it.”
On moving up to seventh
“We just have to take it game by game and not look too far ahead because we have some tough games coming up, Leicester this weekend and then Arsenal again and then West Ham.
“These are crucial games in our season, but we have to take it game by game. But if we play like we played today then I think we can get something nice out of this season.”
