Wolves fell to defeat having led by two on an eventful night at Molineux, which flipped the moment Raul Jimenez was controversially sent off against Leeds United. The hosts were two goals to the good when the Mexican received a second yellow for a collision with Illan Meslier and back came Leeds.
Before the break, first goals of the season for Jonny and Francisco Trincao had Wolves in front and looking comfortable, but that changed once Leeds had their man advantage. The visitors punished defending which will have disappointed Bruno Lage, as Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Luke Ayling all struck in the final half hour.
A Friday night under the Molineux lights, with Wolves and Leeds having plenty to play for, it had all the ingredients of a classic. Although the hosts controlled the opening ten minutes, it was the West Yorkshiremen who threatened twice early on, but neither Rodrigo nor Patrick Bamford could convert presentable openings in Wolves’ box.
Unfortunately, the following ten were a story of injuries, and one in each camp. First, Ruben Neves turned awkwardly, and proceeded to try and run it off. In that period, Leeds striker Bamford turned his ankle and was instantly replaced, by which time Wolves medics drew time on Neves’ evening, meaning Trincao took to the pitch.
The Barcelona loanee has found himself out of the team of late, but within a minute of coming on, had his first assist of the season. Joao Moutinho’s ball set him free and Trincao looked up and saw Jonny in space, and once the Spaniard had the ball rolling towards him, he swept into the corner like a seasoned striker for his first goal of the season.
An already moody Molineux now had the bit between its teeth and Trincao was enjoying himself, so when he picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, he had the confidence to try his luck, which is exactly what he was without, as the ball cannoned back off the inside of the post.
That close call came within the eight minutes of stoppage time and Jimenez also could have been celebrating when Daniel Podence charged down Pascal Struijk’s clearance and the ball fell nicely with only Meslier to beat, but the Mexican couldn’t control his lob enough, as it dropped wide of the post.
Jimenez could have scored soon after, likewise Jonny, with Stuart Dallas and Meslier coming to Leeds’ rescue. However, once Podence laid one off for Trincao, the Portuguese picked his spot and curled into the corner, through the legs of the Leeds defender, for his first goal of the season.
Half-time | Wolves 2-0 Leeds
While the first-half had talking points aplenty, the second didn’t relent, however that first one had the majority inside Molineux reeling. With Jimenez charging down Meslier, who was way out of his goal, the pair collided and referee Kevin Friend deemed the Mexican, already on a yellow, the villain and out came the second yellow for a red.
That decision changed the game and within 13 minutes Leeds were level. However, Wolves will have been disappointed with how both goals came about. First, Rayan Ait-Nouri misjudged a ball over the top and, although Ayling struck the post and Conor Coady cleared Romain Saiss’ ricochet off the line, Harrison pounced to convert the loose ball.
Then, Wolves failed to recover and three minutes later let Leeds in again. This time Dan James ran in and lobbed over Sa but watched his effort hit the post, but once Saiss sliced his clearance, Rodrigo steamed in, past Sa and fired off Coady into the net to level things up.
Hurt from that uncharacteristic period, Wolves rallied one man light and Trincao’s cross was glanced just wide by Leander Dendoncker. As for Leeds, Harrison’s curling effort was brilliantly tipped over by Sa and Charlie Cresswell then sent a looping header narrowly over.
However, as the game entered injury time, Willy Boly failed to deal with a corner and Ayling needed no second invitation to step in and lash between the legs of Sa to complete Leeds' turnaround.
Deep into added time Trincao hit a stinging drive which was turned over by Kristoffer Klaesson and Hwang’s ambition was distance was also kept out. However, there would be no final action and Wolves were left unhappy following a topsy-turvy, but ultimately frustrating night at Molineux.
Full-time | Wolves 2-3 Leeds
Wolves | Sa, Jonny (Silva 90+4), Boly, Coady, Saiss, Ait-Nouri, Neves (Trincao 25), Moutinho, Dendoncker (Chiquinho 90+3), Podence (Hwang 78), Jimenez.
Unused subs | Ruddy, Marcal, Kilman, Toti, Cundle.
Leeds | Meslier (Klaesson 55), Ayling, Struijk, Llorente (Koch 40), Dallas, Forshaw, Klich (Cresswell 45+9), Harrison, Rodrigo, James, Bamford (Greenwood 23).
Unused subs | Cooper, Phillips, Gelhardt, Summerville, Kenneh.
