Vitor Pereira made the dream start to life as Wolves head coach as his new side ended a run of four straight defeats with a 3-0 win against Leicester on Sunday.
Goals from Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha across a 25-minute spell in the first half sealed an impressive win for Pereira, who replaced Gary O’Neil on Thursday.
The victory leaves them in 18th place, two points away from safety. By the way, the Foxes, who have already conceded seven goals in two games, occupy the position just above them.
Pereira’s goal in the Premier League almost started in a nightmare way. Leicester headed straight for Jamie Vardy, whose shot at Jose SA blocked off the surface. The Var took a look but the guard’s hands were not involved.
Then the dream start got going. Guedes shielded a bouncing ball from Jannik Vestergaard and tucked home from a tight angle, before James Justin inexplicably backed away and left a long ball, allowing Rodrigo Gomes to nip in and roll past the stricken Danny Ward.
The moment was booed by Leicester’s enthusiasts, who had seen their team defeated 4-0 through Newcastle last time, and those boos became more intense when Cunha, accused of misconduct through the FA this week this week after an incident after the plenary. whistle in front of Ipswich – shot a shot that Ward controlled to hit with the fingertips but could not prevent him from impacting the network.
Even more impressive was how clinical the visitors were given they ended the first half with an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.4.
Leicester had a lot of ball in the moment and many times, many long balls ahead for Jamie Vardy, with little success. Otherwise, Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s team lacked driving and quality in the final third.
The wolves were comfortable as a result, but they had the possibility of making their leadership bigger, especially when Joao Gomes met the unpleasant cross of Cunha in the last 10 minutes, leaning but sending his wide header. At this point, however, the victory ends.
Leicester Ruud van Nistelrooy:
“You have to look at how the game went and how the goals were conceded. We all know, and the players know, that goals basically come from individual errors.
“It’s not big chances – all three are not. How the goals went in – that is not something we can allow in the situation where we are and with the importance of the game
“Every game is important for us, but that was the most disappointing thing. I cannot blame a player that makes an unfortunate mistake.
“Three weeks ago, when we raced together, we had two positive effects and 4 problems and we raised the position and the enthusiasts as well.
“We expected a lot more from the game. It’s always disappointing then when the fans go against you and make it personal against some of the players.
“As a team, we have to stay together and understand the frustration of the fans. We do understand and we are working to change that around.”
Lobos coach, Vitor Pereira:
“The spirit was very good, true spirit. That’s what I want for this team. What I asked them was that, at the end of the game, we must feel proud about the work that we did and make our supporters proud. I’m very happy for this.
“I’ve been running as a coach for a long time. I know very well the formula, how to play, the area we want to cover, the positions we can explore and, in 3 days, I tried to organize them with Undeniable Communication: don’t do much, but what we want.
“We can’t win alone. We wish the fans, we wish the club, we wish everyone. We have to be committed and united. I want the team and them in ownership because I don’t like a team just for the good of the game on the counterattack.
“To be here, I cannot explain it. I started as a coach at 29, I’m now 56. It is a long journey to come here and it’s a privilege.”
Sky Sports’ Dan Long:
Gonçalo Guedes had to wait for his at Wolves.
He was sent to Benfica Formative Years Club in early 2023, halfway from the first season after his movement of 27. 5 million pounds sterling in Valencia, then in Villarreal a year after he sleeps, and when everything was incorporated everything Incorporated into the team this season, he had to be disturbed with roads by due.
However, in recent months, he must show why the wolves have paid the cash they made to him.
He scored once and provided three assists in Gary O’Neil’s final seven Premier League games – but looked invigorated when new Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira put him in from the start against Leicester. He no doubt has a point to prove and a clean slate to work with.
The 28 -year -old showed that Guile is activated at the most closed time after Jannik Vestergaard allowed a ball to bounce in the area, then made a good turn and moved away from the problems to prepare Matheus Cunha for the third.
Its objective had an XG price of 0. 05, and the help price was only 0. 01 xa.
That means he has been directly involved in six goals across his last eight Premier League games after managing just two goal involvements in his first 19 English top-flight appearances.
As the Wolves enter a new era, this may be Giredes’ time to shine.