Joao Palhinha struck from close range in the 82nd minute to secure our first Premier League win of 2026 – an even more vital goal in the bigger picture with West Ham also finding a late winner against Everton.
We started well at Molineux, but clear-cut chances were hard to find against Wolves packed defensive shape of 5-3-2, often with eight players behind the ball.
Indeed, as we lost Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons to injury, the game started to become scrappy, and Wolves came more and more into it – until Palhinha struck from Pedro Porro’s corner.
There was still time for one more heart-stopping moment as Joao Gomes’ took aim from a free-kick 30 yards out, the ball destined for the top corner before Antonin Kinsky tipped over at full stretch.
Speaking to us afterwards, Roberto said: “I think in the first 30 minutes, 35 maybe, we played very well. Okay, we didn't create too many chances, but we had the control, with the right order on the pitch, with the right players between the lines.
“We attack a lot of time with Kolo Muani, Pedro Porro and Conor Gallagher in the right side. In the left side, with Djed Spence, we had many opportunities to go in one-to-one.
“We didn't score and then maybe the pressure, maybe the psychological part to score and to win the game… we lost distances on the pitch, we lost order. Wolverhampton had nothing to lose. We didn't win any games in 2026. The psychological part was tough, but I think we deserved to win, especially if we analyse the Brighton games and the Sunderland games.
“We must live on the pitch, for sure - with Solanke, without Solanke, with Xavi, without Xavi, without Romero. I prefer they can play, for sure, but if they can't play, we have to move on anyway with courage, with pride, with the right mentality, with the right spirit, because it's not finished yet.
“We have a chance to stay up. I believe if we are better to show our qualities - because today we didn't show all our qualities - and my work is to help the players to feel more confidence and to show what they are able to do.
“I believe to stay up. I believe in the quality of our players, and I hope this win today can be crucial, can be, can do the switch, the mental switch.”