Wolves move further clear of relegation zone
Southampton 1 - 2 Wolves
Jørgen Strand Larsen struck twice as Wolves moved nine points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone with a crucial victory over a beleaguered Southampton at St Mary’s.
Desperate for just their third league win of the season, Southampton started brightly but found themselves behind from Wolves’ very first effort on goal—Strand Larsen rising to head past Aaron Ramsdale, leaving the Saints goalkeeper with no chance.
Chances were scarce for the remainder of the first half, but Wolves took control early in the second when Strand Larsen drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, prompting some home fans to head for the exits.
Southampton gave themselves a glimmer of hope when substitute Paul Onuachu reacted quickest to turn in the rebound after Tyler Dibling’s effort struck the post. However, Wolves held firm to see out a vital three points.
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The defeat leaves Southampton in unwanted company—they are only the fourth team in English top-flight history to lose nine consecutive home games in a single season, following Birmingham (1985-86), Wolves (2011-12) and Watford (2021-22).
Saints remain on just nine points. This us two shy of Derby’s infamous record-low tally in the Premier League, and they now sit 17 points adrift of a Wolves side whose situation looks far less precarious than it did a month ago.
After suffering four straight league defeats in January, Vítor Pereira’s men have now collected 10 points from their last six games, building a welcome cushion over the bottom three.
Wolves were under pressure early on at St Mary’s but took their chance clinically when Strand Larsen nodded home his eighth goal of the season, his first since the 2-2 draw at Tottenham in December.
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After extending their lead straight after half-time, Wolves had opportunities to kill the game off completely. João Gomes fired wide from a promising position, while Pablo Sarabia hesitated at the crucial moment following a swift counter-attack.
Onuachu’s goal set up a nervy finale, far tenser than Pereira and his side might have expected, but Wolves held on. The relief among the travelling fans at the final whistle was palpable.
The victory extends Wolves’ winning run over Southampton in the Premier League to seven matches. This is their longest streak against any opponent since beating Burnley seven times in a row between 1974 and 2018.
