Southampton 1 (Onuachu 75) Wolves 2 (Strand Larsen 19, 47)
Jorgen Strand Larsen’s brace proved to be the difference as Wolves went into the international break with three points following a Premier League victory over Southampton.
The Norwegian struck either side of half-time at St Mary’s Stadium, the first from a header inside the box and his second just after the break which saw the striker set himself outside of the box before driving the ball inside the far post.
And despite the hosts claiming one back in the final 15 minutes, leading to a nervy end to the proceedings, the Old Gold were able to hold on to a vital win which opens up a nine point gap between them and the relegation zone.
Wolves looked like they had been told to try and catch Southampton straight from the off as Pereira’s side came out with urgency, but Southampton were able to deal with the pressure and had the early opportunities.
The Saints were troubling the Wolves defence without providing any cutting edge, as several crosses were testing Toti and Emmanuel Agbadou, while Jose Sa was also equal to anything the hosts posed his way.
A first shot of the game came just after 15 minutes in, as Joe Aribo got on the end of a Kamaldeen Sulemana cross into the Wolves box, but he could only lash his effort high over Sa’s crossbar.
In a first half lacking in quality from both teams, the one piece of excellence was by Wolves which led to the opening goal. In their first chance of the game, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was played into space down the right, before curling a brilliant cross which was met by Strand Larsen as he got ahead of his man to divert the ball into the far corner of the net.
Moments later, a Nelson Semedo cross looking for Strand Larsen and Marshall Munetsi was gathered by Aaron Ramsdale, but despite the visitors enjoying a lead, most of the first half chances fell Southampton’s way.
Sa had to be quick off his line after a Ramsdale clearance was gathered in by Sulemana inside the Wolves box, but the Portuguese dived at the forward’s feet to gather in the ball and stop the attack.
As the Saints pushed for an equaliser, Agbadou and Toti were dominant in the Wolves box to stop the attacks dead, while poor finishing also let down the side propping up the Premier League table.
With half-time approaching, Pereira was urging his players forward and Rayan Ait-Nouri had two opportunities to double Wolves’ lead but after firing a shot straight at Ramsdale, he then trickled an effort well wide of the post after good work by Joao Gomes.
Half-time | Southampton 0-1 Wolves
Although they weren’t able to capitalise on a quick start in the first half, Wolves made sure they did after half-time, as Strand Larsen scored his second of the afternoon less two minutes after the restart.
Munetsi and Bellegarde linked well in the Southampton half after picking up on a loose Ramsdale clearance, before the Frenchman found Strand Larsen just outside the opposition box, and after taking a couple of touches to set himself, picked out the far bottom corner with a delicate finish.
Wolves had their tails up after doubling their advantage, with Munetsi just failing to pick out Strand Larsen with a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but as the half went on, Southampton began to put the pressure back on the visitors.
Sa had to be at his best to deny Yukinari Suguwara on the hour mark after the Southampton man found space on the right before cutting inside and launching a powerful shot at the Portuguese goal which he was able to palm over the crossbar with a strong hand.
Tyler Dibling was proving a menace down the Southampton right, but one of his chances saw Andre get back to deflect behind, before he headed over from the resulting corner after getting up highest in the box, but he was unable to test Sa with his effort.
However, Wolves pushed for a third with Bellegarde firing well over following a quick break, before Joao Gomes dragged a shot wide of the post after good work from Toti. A counter-attack four on two in Wolves’ favour also broke down after substitute Pablo Sarabia was flagged offside.
And Wolves were made to pay for those missed opportunities as moments later Southampton halved the deficit. Dibling was allowed to run into the Wolves box unchallenged before striking a shot which beat Sa, but came back off the post, however, Paul Onuachu was first to react and turned the ball into the empty net.
That led to a nervous final 15 minutes for the visitors, and although Southampton piled on the pressure, the gold and black shirts were able to hold on to what could be a crucial three points in their battle against the drop.
Full-time | Southampton 1-2 Wolves
Southampton | Ramsdale, Sugawara (Gronbaek 83), Walker-Peters, Harwood-Belis, Bella-Kotchap, Manning, Ugochukwu (Downes 83), Aribo (Stephens 90+2), Fernandes (Onuachu 45), Sulemana (Archer 69), Dibling.
Unused subs | McCarthy, Welington, Wood, Lallana.
Wolves | Sa, Semedo (Djiga 89), Doherty, Agbadou, Toti, Ait-Nouri (Bueno 80), Andre, J. Gomes, Munetsi (Guedes 69), Bellegarde (Sarabia 69), Strand Larsen (Doyle 89).
Unused subs | Bentley, R. Gomes, Forbs, Hwang.
Referee | Robert Jones.
