Theo Walcott’s opener was his first league goal for Southampton since getting the winner in a 1-0 victory against Luton in December 2005, 14 years & 347 days ago
Southampton missed the chance to go third in the Premier League as Theo Walcott’s first goal since rejoining the club was only enough for a draw at Wolves.
Saints had looked on course for victory when Walcott steered in Che Adams’ cross in the 58th minute – his first league goal for the club since December 2005.
However, Pedro Neto levelled for the hosts 15 minutes from time, following up Raul Jimenez’s low drive after it came back off the left post.
Southampton remain fifth, while Wolves move up three places to ninth.
Wolves frustrate despite comeback
With captain Conor Coady’s ever-present run of 84 Premier League games coming to an end – the defender is in isolation after coming into contact with someone with Covid-19 – Wolves deployed an unfamiliar flat back four.
The centre-back partnership of Max Kilman and Willy Boly provided Nuno Espirito Santo’s side with a relatively solid base as the visitors initially controlled proceedings.
They were also well shielded by Ruben Neves and Leander Dendoncker, the former making the most clearances (four) and the latter covering the most ground of any home player (11.12km).
But for all those admirable qualities, there was a distinct lack of incisiveness to their attacking play until they fell behind.
While Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy did well to save parry Nelson Semedo’s long-range effort and Dendoncker’s follow-up attempt early on, he was largely untroubled until the hosts had to respond to falling behind.
Jimenez, who had been isolated and had the lowest number of touches of any outfield home player to start the game, slowly became more involved.
And it was his stinging drive that led to the equaliser, while goalscorer Neto and Daniel Podence all carved out good openings in the second period.
The biggest frustration for Nuno and Wolves fans is likely to be that their charge came too late.
More to follow.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Squad number7Player namePedro Neto
- Squad number28Player nameJoão Moutinho
- Squad number49Player nameKilman
- Squad number11Player nameRui Patrício
- Squad number15Player nameBoly
- Squad number37Player nameTraoré
- Squad number9Player nameJiménez
- Squad number32Player nameDendoncker
- Squad number22Player nameNélson Semedo
- Squad number10Player nameDaniel Podence
- Squad number8Player nameRúben Neves
- Squad number3Player nameAït-Nouri
- Squad number20Player nameVitinha
Southampton
Line-ups
Wolves
- 11Rui Patrício
- 22Nélson Semedo
- 49Kilman
- 15Boly
- 3Aït-Nouri
- 32Dendoncker
- 8NevesBooked at 44mins
Substituted forNetoat 70’minutes - 28João Moutinho
- 37TraoréBooked at 45mins
- 9Jiménez
- 10Castelo Podence
Substituted forMachado Ferreiraat 85’minutes
Substitutes
- 2Hoever
- 5Marçal de Oliveira
- 7Neto
- 17Soares Silva
- 20Machado Ferreira
- 21Ruddy
- 54Otasowie
Southampton
- 1McCarthy
- 2Walker-Peters
- 35Bednarek
- 4Vestergaard
- 3Bertrand
- 17Armstrong
Substituted forDialloat 90’minutes - 8Ward-Prowse
- 6Romeu
- 12Djenepo
Substituted forLongat 79’minutes - 32Walcott
- 10Adams
Substitutes
- 5Stephens
- 7Long
- 14Obafemi
- 23Tella
- 27Diallo
- 40N’Lundulu
- 44Forster
Match Stats
Live Text
- Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Southampton 1.
- Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Southampton 1.
- Foul by Che Adams (Southampton).
- Nélson Semedo (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- Foul by Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton).
- Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- Corner, Southampton. Conceded by João Moutinho.
- Substitution, Southampton. Ibrahima Diallo replaces Stuart Armstrong.
- Theo Walcott (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- Foul by Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
- Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- Foul by Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
- Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Vitinha replaces Daniel Podence.
- Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Kyle Walker-Peters.
- Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by James Ward-Prowse.
- Attempt blocked. Daniel Podence (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Raúl Jiménez.
- Attempt saved. Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Raúl Jiménez.
- Che Adams (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- Foul by Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
- Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jannik Vestergaard.