OPINION
Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a second successive Premier League victory with a 1-0 triumph over Burnley on Sunday.
Raul Jimenez’s second half strike proved the difference between the two sides, but the hosts could have won by a far bigger margin at Molineux. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team dominated throughout, and if it wasn’t for some sloppy finishing and a virtuoso display by Joe Hart in the Burnley goal then it would have been a rout.
As always there was much to be gleaned from the game and here, This is Futbol has rounded up three things we learned about Wolves in this victory.
Jimenez replacement must be sought in January
That might sound like a strange thing to say after the Mexican scored the winner for Wolves, but the club can do so much better than the Benfica loanee up top. Nuno’s side could have won by four or five today, and Jimenez was guilty of spurning numerous chances both before and after his goal. The 27-year-old isn’t a bad player but he has never been prolific since coming to Europe and his poor finishing is the reason why. Wolves dominated proceedings today but they need to be more clinical if they are to fulfil their potential this season. A top class striker would do wonders for the Midlands outfit, and Nuno should set about recruiting one in January.
Moutinho will be bargain of the season
The fact that Wolves bought Moutinho for just £5million is simply mind-boggling. At a time when teams are breaking the bank for goalkeepers, Wolves got themselves a top class central midfielder for spare change. He has wasted no time in forging an exceptional partnership with Ruben Neves in the middle of the park, and the two Portugal internationals look set to cause mischief together throughout the season. The signing of Moutinho was surely Wolves’s best of the summer, and likely will not be beaten in the Premier League this season in terms of value for money. At 31 years of age he’s not over the hill by any means, so Wolves supporters can look forward to enjoying him in the famous gold shirt for some time yet.
Doherty a diamond at wing-back
The Republic of Ireland international was simply sensational on Sunday. He was a constant menace down the right hand side of the pitch, and perfectly set up Jimenez’s goal with a tidy cross. He offers so much width in his wing back role, and can defend when he has to as well. He came very close to scoring in the first half and created numerous chances for his team mates. The fact that he only has two caps for his country is criminal at this stage. The system that the team plays in under Nuno is perfect for the 26-year-old, and that was demonstrated again at Molineux with another virtuoso display from Doherty.