Ben Fisher was at Molineux tonight. His report has landed. You know how it goes: clickity click, enjoy, enjoy. Thanks for reading this MBM. Stay safe and warm, wherever you are. Nighty night!
Bielsa’s take. “There were only very few moments when we didn’t dominate. The offensive game we created was sufficient to score at least one goal. In a game of small margins, we were the superior side. We had ten chances from different sources. I repeat that I think our offensive game was good. I don’t think we conceded dominance too often. Of course they have two wingers that are very dangerous, and thought we didn’t dominate them completely, but our defensive behaviour was good.”
Nuno, smiling broadly, gives his verdict. “It was an important performance. A good attitude to compete against a very tough team. They have a unique approach to the game, that leads you to making the same high-intensity duels, and the boys did really well. There were many things that Leeds did not allow us to do. For some moments we were stronger, but they had their chances and created real problems. Players like Adama, when they have the ball and start running, they are really dangerous. And it was a beautiful strike. [Wolves’ struggle to defend set pieces] was one part of the plan that didn’t work out, and we have to improve. We’ll keep on chasing and working hard.”
Leeds midfielder Tyler Roberts doesn’t seem too down, smiling wryly on BT Sport as he gives us his calm, considered, philosophical take. “It was a performance when the boys were digging it out and we pushed to the very end, but it just wasn’t to be today. The goal they scored was unfortunate, but we’ll take the positives, rest up, and go again on Tuesday. We’ve been working on the set pieces and the delivery was amazing today, it was just unfortunate that we didn’t get one in. It was good run from Traore, but it was a piece of luck that’s come off the bar and hit out keeper, it’s kind of a freak accident. I feel we bounced back well and pushed to the very end. It was a high-pressure game and both teams worked very hard. It just didn’t fall our way.”
BT Sport talk to matchwinner Adama Traore. “I am very happy for the team. We worked through the 90 minutes. We know how Leeds play, with intensity. We followed the plan Nuno gave to us, to keep working, keep pushing, and to take our chances. We are happy for back-to-back wins. Every team concedes against Leeds, so we did really well with our effort to keep it 1-0. It does not matter [that the goal is an own goal] because the important thing is we win today, that is all that matters.”
Wolves celebrate their hard-earned victory. Adama Traore’s glorious run and shot, which clattered off the junction of post and bar and went in off the back of the staggeringly unlucky Illan Meslier, was worthy of winning any match. So were the series of saves Rui Patricio made from Liam Cooper, who could quite easily have had a hat-trick tonight. Raphinha’s set-pieces were outstanding, while Patrick Bamford had an equaliser ruled out for a very marginal offside call. Leeds will wonder how they didn’t get something out of the match. Wolves leapfrog them into 11th place, a point ahead (33-32) having played a game more (25-24).
FULL TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Leeds United
A moment of sublime skill by Adama Troare, coupled with some outrageously bad luck for Illan Meslier, secures a Premier League double for Wolves over Leeds!
Updated
90 min +4: Rui Patricio claws a Raphinha header out of the top-right corner! What a game the Wolves keeper has had!
90 min +3: Raphinha finds Helder Costa with a long ball just inside the Wolves box. Costa, 12 yards out, fires the ball straight at Rui Patricio! What a chance to equalise!
Updated
90 min +2: Nothing comes of the corner, but that’s not really the point. Wolves manage to keep the ball down by the flag for the best part of a minute. Leeds’ frustration is palpable.
90 min +1: In the first of five added minutes, Neto is booked for taking an absurd amount of time over the corner. He clearly needs to work on his clock-management skills.
90 min: Coady’s good to continue. Rui Patricio launches long. Cooper fresh-airs a clearing header, allowing Silva to advance on the Leeds box down the right. His low drive is deflected out for a corner.
89 min: Roberts shoots from distance. The ball clatters into Coady’s startled coupon. He topples over. Play is stopped.
88 min: Ait-Nouri drops a shoulder to glide in from the left, and is cynically brought down by Ayling’s hanging leg. Free kick in a dangerous position, just to the side of the box. Moutinho dummies to take, but flicks it to Neto, who wanders towards the corner. The gods of football retaliate by making him clumsily run it out for a goal kick. What a farce.
87 min: Silva comes on for Willian Jose.
86 min: Raphinha swings it in, but the whistle goes, someone in white having knocked Saiss to the floor.
85 min: Struijk makes a hash of a simple clearance, allowing Moutinho to have a strike from 20 yards. His curler towards the top left is only just over the bar. Leeds go up the other end and force a corner, Roberts bothering Dendoncker down the left.
84 min: For the first time in the evening, Leeds look as though they’re running out of ideas. They’re certainly struggling to retain possession, which isn’t like them.
82 min: Wolves have to sub their sub. Marcal has tweaked something, and he can’t continue. He’s replaced by Ait-Nouri.
81 min: Leeds make a double change, replacing Klich and Harrison with Helder Costa and Alioski.
80 min: Wolves take their time over a series of throws deep in Leeds territory. The clock is very much their friend now.
78 min: VAR has a check, though, and there really wasn’t much in that. Coady very nearly played him on. But the on-field decision is rubber-stamped. No goal.
Updated
77 min: Leeds snaffle possession and tear upfield on the counter. Roberts slides a pass down the inside-left channel to release Bamford, who strides into the box and lashes an unstoppable shot into the top left. But the flag goes up for offside.
Updated
75 min: Raphinha’s delivery is uncharacteristically poor. Wolves clear. Leeds come again, through Bamford down the left. He whips viciously through the Wolves box, but Rui Patricio calmly ushers the ball out for a goal kick.
74 min: Roberts tries to burst down the middle and is checked by Semedo. Another set piece, another chance for Raphinha to cause a little bother.
73 min: Dallas dances down the left touchline and feeds Harrison, who loops long. Too long. Decent field position is wasted.
72 min: Hernandez and Dallas combine crisply down the inside-left channel, but they can’t quite open Wolves up and the ball dribbles through to Rui Patricio. This is a great game.
71 min: Moutinho’s delivery is decent, but he’s no Raphinha, and Leeds clear easily enough.
70 min: Wolves win a couple of corners down the right. The second leads to a free kick out on the right, conceded by the hand of Hernandez.
68 min: In a parallel universe somewhere, Cooper has a hat-trick tonight, Raphinha three assists. How has at least one of those chances not gone in?!
67 min: Another free kick for Leeds out on the right. Raphinha, whose dead-ball delivery is nothing short of outstanding, swings it towards the far post. Cooper continues his duel with Rui Patricio, extending a telescopic leg and prodding towards the bottom left, only for the keeper to parry out for a corner.
Updated
66 min: What a shot by Traore. Such a shame the goal can’t be credited to him. It’s all his work, though. Leeds respond by replacing Shackleton with Hernandez.
GOAL! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Leeds United (Meslier og 64)
This is both sensational and so unlucky. Traore dribbles at pace down the left and drifts inside. He sends a rising heatseeker towards the top right. The ball crashes down off the junction of bar and post, into the back of the prone Meslier, who had just completed a futile dive, and into the net. It’ll go down as an own goal, but that’s harsh on Meslier, who could do nothing to stop Traore’s moment of genius.
Updated
63 min: Raphinha’s inswinger is met by Cooper, who fires a header straight at Rui Patricio from six yards! Bamford tries to nod the rebound in, but Wolves scramble clear. So close to the opener. And then ...
62 min: It’s getting a wee bit scrappy, this. Saiss goes jumping into the back of Klich, out on the right wing. Another chance for Leeds to line up on the edge of the Wolves box, waiting for Raphinha’s free kick.
61 min: Traore barges into the back of Ayling, 35 yards out on the right. Free kick. Raphinha floats it towards Cooper, who loops a harmless header into the arms of Rui Patricio from the edge of the box.
Updated
60 min: The first change of the evening, as Marcal comes on for Jonny.
59 min: So having said that, the match descends into its first proper lull. A notable drop in pace and direction.
57 min: Both teams are still going for this at a million miles an hour. It’s a fun match, and I have no idea how there hasn’t been at least three or four goals already.
55 min: One corner leads to another, leading to an inconsequential shot by Roberts. Goal kick.
54 min: Ayling makes good down the right and whips a low cross towards the near post. Raphinha lurks, waiting to prod home, but Coady bundles it out for a corner, just in time. A goal-saving intervention.
Updated
52 min: Roberts ships possession in midfield, playing a backwards ball down the Wolves right towards nobody. Neto latches onto the loose ball and romps towards the box. He’s got Jose free in the middle, but opts to lash towards the top right from a tight angle. Wide and high. In the centre, Jose has his arms outstretched in irritation, the internationally recognised mime for Why Didn’t You Tee It Up For Me Here, You Selfish Get? He is wild.
Updated
51 min: Neves has a speculative look from the best part of 30 yards. The shot finds the top-right corner of the stand behind the goal.
50 min: Dendoncker tries to release Jonny down the left with a raking diagonal pass. It flies out for a goal kick. This half hasn’t quite got going yet.
48 min: Traore whistles down the left, batting the ball alongside him with his left arm. Bump, set, spike. He has the brazen cheek to look affronted when the whistle goes for a free kick. Full marks for chutzpah.
47 min: Leeds start the second half like they did the first: with plenty of statement possession.
Leeds get the second half underway. There have been no half-time changes.
Half-time postbag. “Ah, 1973. The UK joins the EEC, Roger Moore becomes James Bond, Last of the Summer Wine, Dad’s Army, Slade, The Sweet, T Rex, Ian Porterfield, Jim Holton. We had it all ahead of us, eh?” Today’s cheery lockdown fun has been brought to you by Simon McMahon. Now I come to think about it, I should have referenced 1972 anyway. Sorry, everyone.
Half-time advertisement. There’s a new definitive history of the club so breezy and enjoyable it’s almost as though the pages turn themselves: The Biography of Leeds United by Rob Bagchi, formerly of this parish. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll never before have seen a youthful Jack Charlton described as looking “like a Postcard Records bass player”. Highly recommended.
HALF TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Leeds United
Not a second of added time. Everyone trudges off, spent after a high-octane first half. No goals, but plenty of entertaining football and the promise of more to come.
45 min: Jonny curls high from the left. Meslier comes to the edge of his box to claim confidently.
43 min: A 101mph lull, if that’s not a contradiction in terms.
41 min: Neto barges his way down the right, and suddenly the Leeds defence parts like the Red Sea. Neto romps towards the box. A combination of a heavy touch, and Meslier reading the danger, allows the keeper to blooter clear.
Updated
40 min: Dallas teases a low cross through the Wolves box from the left. Raphinha can’t quite reach it at the far post. Goal kick.
39 min: See 36 min.
38 min: Raphinha dribbles elegantly down the inside-right channel, enters the box, and hits a low cross-cum-shot that’s deflected across the face of goal, barely evading Roberts at the far stick. A corner is the consolation prize.
36 min: All the corners so far this evening, by both sides, have been useless. That trend continues here.
35 min: Jose slips a ball down the inside right for Semedo, who does well to reach the overhit pass and cream a shot towards the bottom right. Meslier turns it around the post for another Wolves corner.
Updated
33 min: It’s now tipping down at Molineux. Poor old Bielsa looks soaked to the bone. He also looks like he doesn’t care about that at all, lost utterly in the game. Who can blame him? No goals yet, but it’s been a lot of fun.
31 min: Neto clearly fancies his chances against Meslier. He cuts in from the right and again goes for goal from a distance. Cooper blocks this one.
29 min: Then, up the other end, Wolves pass up a golden opportunity of their own, Neto flicking Semedo into the box on the right. Semedo goes for the bottom right, Meslier turning it around the post. Nothing comes of the corner.
27 min: Wolves half clear the corner. Klich drives down the inside-right channel. He’s nearly at the byline when he surprises Rui Patricio by firing low from an absurdly tight angle. The ball clanks off the base of the post and out, the keeper very fortunate not to run it into his own net. The ball breaks to Struijk, who takes two attempts at the rebound. Both are blocked. How did Wolves survive that?
Updated
26 min: Corner for Leeds on the right. One leads to another. Take two.
25 min: Traore spins away from Klich and Cooper, wriggling out of a tight spot and romping towards the Leeds box. He wastes all of his good work with a loose pass, but what skill. Such a shame that didn’t lead to something.
23 min: Leeds ping it around gracefully. It’s like 1973 all over again.
21 min: Neto completes his triptych of early long-distance shots, sending one fizzing wide of the right-hand post. There is surely no way this game will end goalless.
20 min: Saiss comes through the back of Bamford, who was busy shielding the ball down the Leeds right. It’s a free kick, but not, surprisingly, a yellow card for the Wolves defender. Raphinha swings it in. It’s a glorious delivery, and Cooper meets it with his head, six yards out. He really should score, but sends it straight at a grateful Rui Patricio.
18 min: Neto certainly has his shooting boots on this evening. He pearls another long-distance effort through a crowd of players. It’s claimed well by Meslier. It’s also a wonder that shot didn’t take a nick off a defender and give the keeper some real issues.
17 min: Both teams are moving the ball around at high speed. It’s at the cost of accuracy. The wind, swirling around this famous old stadium, won’t be helping matters.
15 min: Now it’s Raphinha’s turn to have a dig from 25 yards out on the right. His effort is deflected, and Rui Patricio does well to readjust and gather a ball that was bouncing towards the top right.
13 min: A great tussle between the number 22s down the Wolves right. Semedo goes shoulder to shoulder with Harrison, nearly barging past and into the box. The Leeds man holds firm, though. Both teams seem right up for this.
12 min: Meslier is forced into action again, and how. Neto finds some space down the inside-right channel, drops a shoulder and curls a magnificent effort towards the top left. It’s heading in, but fingertipped away by the Leeds keeper. Nothing comes of the corner, but that was great football all round.
11 min: Wolves earn their first corner of the match, out on the right. It’s half cleared, but returned with some feeling by Semedo, whose shot flies straight down Meslier’s throat.
9 min: A long ball down the right nearly releases Raphinha. Leeds are getting plenty of joy down this flank. Meanwhile here’s Peter Oh: “Leeds fans might be heartened to know that here in the US, this match is being broadcast by a streaming service called Peacock.” In living color?
7 min: Bamford cuts back from the byline on the right. Roberts dummies in the hope of teeing up Raphinha but the move doesn’t quite come off. Leeds are looking dangerous already.
6 min: Traore has a look down the left this time. His cross finds the Leeds defence momentarily all over the shop, but Neto can’t take advantage at the edge of the box, and the ball’s eventually cleared.
5 min: The first corner of the evening is a complete non-event.
4 min: Traore drives down the inside-right channel and feeds Neto on the outside. There’s space and time, but Neto crosses too long. Leeds counter, Roberts feeding Bamford down the right. Bamford wins the first corner of the evening.
Updated
2 min: Leeds see plenty of the ball in the early exchanges. Plenty of confident passing. Semedo then stops Bamford illegally as the Leeds striker advances down the left. Raphinha sends the free kick into the box diagonally. Too much juice on it, and it sails out for a goal kick. Shame for Leeds, who had men waiting unmarked at the far post.
The hosts get the ball rolling ... but only after everyone takes the knee. There’s no room for racism. Kick it out.
The teams are out! Wolves wear their old gold; Leeds march on together in pristine white. We’ll be off in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
Bielsa’s turn. He tells BT Sport, through his interpreter, that Leeds have put the defeat at Arsenal behind them, and are concentrating on this next game. He also says Leeds will miss Kalvin Phillips, of course they will, but they have managed before without him and will have to adapt.
Nuno talks to BT Sport. “The boys played good, so the same team. The routines establish themselves easier when they play together many times, like they did before, and this is what we expect today. Leeds are unique and very difficult for any opponent. It is always very difficult to compete against Leeds because they have talented players, a unique approach to the game, and a very good manager.”
It’s another night under the glamorous floodlights of Molineux. Any old excuse, eh?
Updated
Both managers seem happy enough with the way things are right now. Wolves came from behind last time round to beat Southampton, so Nuno Espirito Santo sticks with the same 11 starters. Leeds, vastly improved in the second half of that topsy-turvy performance at Arsenal, make just one switch: Marcelo Bielsa selects Tyler Roberts ahead of Ezgjan Alioski, who drops to the bench.
The teams
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Rui Patricio, Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss, Nelson Semedo, Neves, Joao Moutinho, Jonny, Traore, Willian Jose, Pedro Neto.
Subs: Hoever, Ait Nouri, Marcal, Silva, Gibbs-White, Vitinha, Ruddy, Kilman, Otasowie.
Leeds United: Meslier, Shackleton, Ayling, Cooper, Dallas, Struijk, Raphinha, Klich, Roberts, Harrison, Bamford.
Subs: Alioski, Casilla, Llorente, Helder Costa, Hernandez, Davis, Gelhardt, Jenkins, Huggins.
Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire).
Preamble
It’s 11th versus 12th at Molineux tonight. Those positions are instructive. On their day, both of these sides are capable of excellence: take Wolves’ recent win over Arsenal and Leeds’ victory at Leicester. But they’re both capable of egregious nonsense as well, as hopeless recent defensive displays, against West Brom and Arsenal respectively, clearly illustrate.
Wolves can be very easy on the eye when they hit their groove. Leeds are always fun. Hopefully both teams are in the mood tonight. Goals, please! Kick off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
