Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the 5th round of the FA Cup after comfortably overcoming the hurdle of a Black Country derby.
Wolves didn’t play particularly well, but if we are being honest they didn’t really need to be anymore than ok in a game where the class difference in the forward department was the main deciding factor.
Wolves were calm from the off and didn’t get draw into anything silly, plus they always looked they had a few more gears if they were needed.
Jose Sa
A few simple early stops, then a good save down to his left hadn’t side in the second half, but other than that it was quite a routine afternoon for the Wolves stopper. Having Doherty as an out ball is a good option for him and Wolves. 7/10
Max Kilman
How about that casual lofted side foot through ball for Cunha’s goal?! It was a beautiful ball that he made look so easy. On the defensive side its another clean sheet and solid performance with his defensive highlight being when he used his body well to deny Thomas-Asante a tap in. 8/10
Craig Dawson
One of Albion’s best ever players was given the opposite of a heroes welcome but it didn’t faze him one bit and as usual he relished any physical battles. Many headers won and lots of blocks and stops. A straightforward afternoon. 7.5/10
Toti Gomes
Other than one occasion, he managed any danger on his side very well. Like against Brighton, he wasn’t afraid to follow his man and press high with aggression. More adventurous with the ball and got forward a little more. 7/10
Nelson Semedo
Nullified any threat on his side of the pitch, calm and composed throughout. Like with many, he was never really tested.
7/10
Matt Doherty
A run in the side has definitely been beneficial to the former Spurs man and although he’s a totally different player to Ait-Nouri, Wolves have benefited in different ways with his inclusion. His touch and break from the Albion corner was good and his assist even better. 7.5/10
Mario Lemina
It was never going to be easy to play in a midfield two against a three, but as usual it was another massive shift from the former Juventus midfielder who did so much good work without the ball, whilst also being being comfy on it as well. 7/10
Tommy Doyle
Like with his midfield partner, it was always going to be a busy afternoon being outnumbered in the middle, but after Wolves scored he got more of a grip of the game and let his quality show. Gimme Gimme Gimme… 7.5/10
Jean-Ricner Bellegard
In for the injured Sarabia. One of Wolves quieter performers, but never stopped and won various free kicks, plus was unlucky with an effort where he nearly bent in for 2-0. A player who would benefit from a run in the side, like it did for Sarabia. 6/10
Matheus Cunha
A player who is clearly loving his football, unless he’s elbowed in the face. A nightmare to mark as he’s happy to drop deep or to get in behind. The benefactor of a beautiful Kilman ball, took a touch a fired home to send the away end wild. Bonus point for the celebration.
8.5/10 (+1)
Pedro Neto
You know he wants to cut inside, but once he’s gone its hard to stop. Broke at pace and was fed perfectly by Doherty, before he cut inside, showed some determination and fired neatly into the the corner. Those questioning whether the players knew what it meant will have seen from his celebration, he knew exactly what he was doing. 8/10