Southampton 1-2 Wolves: Pedro Neto’s brilliant goal seals the visitors’ comeback in the Premier League | Football news

The Wolves staged a comeback in the second half when Pedro Neto’s sublime blow earned him a 2-1 victory over Southampton at St Mary’s.

A flash of brilliance from Neto settled a lively contest as the Saints were consigned to a sixth consecutive loss in the Premier League.

Danny Ings had put the hosts up front with a brilliant volley (25) but the game turned into a time of controversy as Ryan Bertrand was deemed to have handled Nelson Semedo’s shot inside the area.

Ruben Neves converted from the spot to give the Wolves a lifeline (53) before Neto’s individual hit from an acute angle completed the change (66).

The result puts the Wolves ahead of Southampton in 12th place, and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team replaces them in 13th place with 29 points from 23 games.

Neto’s brilliance extends Los Santos’ miserable career

Both teams have suffered an alarming drop in form over the winter with just two wins in the previous 20 Premier League matches between them, but Southampton brought with them the confidence gained from their 2-0 win at Molineux in the FA Cup on Thursday.

Neto and Adama Traore were well disallowed on the flanks and the hosts surprisingly took the lead in the 25th minute.

The play began with James Ward-Prowse and Takumi Minamino combining in midfield before Stuart Armstrong’s dribble and cross were sent to the net with Ings’ volley.

It brought the increasingly familiar frown of Nuno Espirito Santo; Nelson Semedo had allowed Armstrong to cross too cheaply, but Nathan Redmond made a nice block on Conor Coady to allow Ings to volley into the top corner.

Nuno’s Wolves had no teeth in the first half compared to their confident and brilliant opponents. The visitors lacked threat and had only four touches in the Saints penalty area to finish without shots on target.

The only consolation was that Southampton was no further ahead as Minamino had seen his shot well saved by Rui Patricio from Redmond’s pass before Ings’ advance.

Redmond moved closer to himself when Ings found him, but his curly goal effort was tipped off the post by Patricio’s overwork as Hasenhuttl’s team had to settle for a slight lead at the break.

Nuno sought an immediate response after the restart, but it was through a controversial incident that the game turned in the Wolves’ favor.

He appeared little else to Semedo as he took aim from a distance, and his shot struck Bertrand’s arm. Referee Graham Scott immediately awarded the penalty and VAR Martin Atkinson adhered to the original decision upon VAR review.

It was Hasenhuttl’s turn to scowl as Neves didn’t miss the point from the spot, sending Alex McCarthy down the wrong path. The Saints were still resentful when 13 minutes later they found themselves losing.

This time, Neves was the provider as he sent the ball in the direction of Neto, who slipped easily away from Jannik Vestergaard and from the tightest angles, the Portuguese lifted his left-footed shot past McCarthy.

Southampton rallied and Hasenhuttl thought his team should have received a penalty of their own when an Armstrong cross appeared to hit Leander Dendoncker’s elbow at the far post.

James Ward-Prowse’s long-range shot was well held by Patricio with the rebound saved once again from Che Adams, though the offside flag would have come to the Wolves’ rescue.

Adams would get his chance when Redmond slipped down the right, but the Saints forward sent his header wide. It was the closest Southampton came to a draw, as Neto’s strike proved to be a worthy winner.

What the managers said

Southampton Chief Ralph Hasenhuttl: “I think we should not discuss our negative streak. It is difficult to understand and explain and take this defeat. Until the penalty, they had no chance of scoring and we were the dominant team.

“I don’t want to talk about rules, but when you talk about the hands being away from the body, I don’t understand how they didn’t give us a penalty as well. It’s too much to take in the last couple weeks. Why didn’t we get a penalty because the arm was clearly away from the body? [for Leander Dendoncker]. It was at the elbow. I don’t know, it’s handball, right? You tell me.

“I don’t want to talk about anything else. The guys worked hard.”

Head of the wolves Nuno Espirito Santo: “I am satisfied with the reaction when we moved the momentum of the game to our side. We told them at halftime just to try and come up with better solutions as Southampton had started well and been more aggressive. The game changed in the small details And because of the actions of our offensive players, they did well.

“It was a very tough game. In the first half I thought Southampton organized better, but then we were in the lead in the second half, we scored two goals and defended very well. I’m thinking about us [for the penalty]. It was a good play and then it was the referee’s decision. I have not seen the images yet, but there are people in a better position than me to judge that.

“I don’t agree that we were disappointing. Southampton is a tough team and they were better at the time. But the game changed. I thought Pedro, both wingers actually, did well once they switched sides with more actions. “. Their games are based on one-on-one situations. His goal was a great moment for us. They are very talented and the standards are high. We expect the best from them. “

Man of the match – Pedro Neto

Bertrand’s handball will certainly make the headlines, but Neto was an integral part of the Wolves’ transformation in the second half with his three key passes more than any other player.

The 20-year-old was well marked in the first half, but Nuno Espirito Santo changed his ends at half-time. Southampton had no reply.

Neto said Amazon prime: “In this game last season we were 2-0 down and here again it was a very bad first half for us. We gave a good response and played as we always wanted to play. We worked harder than them and managed to score twice, like this. that we are very happy.

“We changed the way we played. I moved to the right and Adama to the left. We have to start winning the duels, and we did.”

Neto has been directly involved in nine Premier League goals this season (five goals and four assists), the most of any player in the competition this season under the age of 21.

The Fighting Spirit of the Wolves Returns – Opta stats

• Southampton have lost six consecutive league games for the first time in their history.
• Since the start of 2018-19, Wolves have won 10 Premier League games after trailing, the third most of any team after Liverpool (14) and Manchester United (12).
• Southampton have led in each of their last four Premier League matches against Wolves, but have not won any of them (D2 L2), resulting in 10 lost points; is the most points one team has lost to another since the start of last season.
• Wolves haven’t opened the scoring in any of their last 14 Premier League games; only Manchester City in 1995 (16 games) have had a longer streak without scoring first in a game.
• After goals from Rúben Neves and Pedro Neto, the Portuguese have scored more Premier League goals for Wolves than players from any other nation (47), outscoring the English by one goal.

Whats Next?

Southampton host Chelsea at St Mary’s in the Premier League on Saturday; start 12.30 pm. The Wolves host Leeds United in Molineux at 7pm on Friday.