Jimenez-Traore show seals win for Wolves over Bournemouth

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Adama Traore in action with Bournemouth's Nathan Ake, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Mike Egerton/Pool via REUTERS

Another episode of the Adama Traore-Raul Jimenez show delivered Wolverhampton Wanderers a precious 1-0 win over struggling Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday.

In an almost carbon copy of Saturday's opener in the win over West Ham United, Traore's surging run and inch-perfect cross on the hour was met by Jimenez for his 15th league goal of the season.

Ten of Mexican striker Jimenez's goals have been assisted by Spanish winger Traore, making them the most lethal combination in the Premier League this season as Wolves continue to press for a Champions League qualification spot.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez in action, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Catherine Ivill/Pool via REUTERS

Victory put them on 49 points in sixth place, the same total as fifth-placed Manchester United who have a better goal difference. Fifth place could possibly offer a Champions League berth this season, pending the outcome of second-placed Manchester City's appeal against a UEFA ban.

Bournemouth showed more grit than when losing to Crystal Palace in their first game back after the restart, although they created precious little at a sweltering Molineux, failing to manage an attempt on target.

Eddie Howe's side remained third-from-bottom with 27 points, behind West Ham on goal difference. They are yet to earn a point away from home in 2020 and are in imminent danger of missing out on a sixth successive top-flight season.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Adama Traore in action with Bournemouth's Nathan Ake, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Mike Egerton/Pool via REUTERS

Wolves struggled to open up Bournemouth in a first half in which neither goalkeeper was required to make a save.

Ominously for the visitors Traore began to warm to the task though and one scintillating run from deep in his own half was crudely ended by Steve Cook who was yellow-carded. Traore then fired over the crossbar shortly before the break.

Inevitably it was Traore who prised Bournemouth open, accelerating past Adam Smith and picking out Jimenez who controlled his header to perfection.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez celebrates scoring their first goal as Bournemouth's Aaron Ramsdale looks dejected with teammates, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Richard Heathcote/Pool via REUTERS

"It was a poor first half in terms of football but in the second half we managed to create a couple of situations and eventually the combination of Adama and Raul worked out," manager Nuno Espirito Santo told BT Sport.

Wolves face Aston Villa at the weekend.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Bournemouth's Adam Smith reacts after sustaining an injury as Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Moutinho looks on, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Mike Egerton/Pool via REUTERS

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Bournemouth's Lewis Cook looks dejected after the match, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Catherine Ivill/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez scores their first goal, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Richard Heathcote/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rui Patricio celebrates their first goal scored by Raul Jimenez, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Catherine Ivill/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Romain Saiss in action with Bournemouth's Callum Wilson, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Mike Egerton/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez in action with Bournemouth's Harry Wilson, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Richard Heathcote/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Bournemouth's Jack Stacey in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jonny, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Catherine Ivill/Pool via REUTERS

Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - June 24, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota in action with Bournemouth's Jack Stacey, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Richard Heathcote/Pool via REUTERS