Raul Jimenez made a decisive impact on his first appearance back at Molineux, netting a stoppage‑time penalty that secured a 2‑2 draw for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Blackburn Rovers. The visitors opened the scoring when Marshall Munetsi found space inside the box after Fer Lopez slipped a precise through‑ball.
Munetsi calmly slotted the ball past Blackburn keeper Balazs Hoth, giving Wolves an early lead. Blackburn responded quickly; a well‑timed cross from right‑winger Ryoya Morishita was met by Sean McLoughlin, who rose to head the ball level, restoring parity. The match took an unexpected turn early in the second half when Andri Gudjohnsen, playing for the Rovers, struck a low finish from close range to put Blackburn ahead.
The home crowd of 30,984 gasped as the score moved to 2‑1. Manager Cesar Peixoto, hoping to spark a comeback, introduced the returning striker Jimenez off the bench. For a while it seemed Wolves might settle for defeat.
The breakthrough arrived in injury time. Jackson Tchatchoua delivered a left‑wing cross that brushed the hand of Ryan Alebiosu just inside the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot, and Jimenez stepped up. Showing composure under pressure, he converted the spot‑kick, earning a point for his side and completing a dramatic equaliser.
While the result was a draw, many felt it was barely deserved. Blackburn, tipped as underdogs before the season began, had already exceeded expectations by challenging a Wolves side that historically dominates at Molineux. Yet the Wolves performance highlighted serious flaws that must be addressed if they hope to meet their own lofty ambitions.
Key moments of the game can be summarised as follows: - 18' – Munetsi opens the scoring for Wolves. - 28' – McLoughlin heads Blackburn level. - 49' – Gudjohnsen slots the go‑ahead goal for Blackburn. - 60' – Jimenez introduced as a substitute.
- 93' – Jimenez converts a penalty to equalise. After the final whistle, Jimenez spoke to Sky Sports, reflecting on his return: "It feels amazing to be back and to score in the first game of the season. The result isn’t what we wanted, but it’s a learning experience.
Every match will be tough, no matter who we face. We need to keep pushing, work hard, and aim to collect points and score goals." He also commented on the gesture of handing out free "Si Senor" scarves to fans in the Sir Jack Hayward Stand: "It’s a small way to thank the supporters for the love they’ve shown me over the past eight years, even when I wasn’t at the club.
I felt their affection, so this is the least I could do." Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto offered a candid assessment: "We didn’t get the result we wanted; we wanted to win. The first half was better – we created chances but failed to finish. In the second half we slipped, conceding the goal, and then we played more with heart than with our heads. Our organisation broke down, making it harder to recover.
Still, the players showed great spirit and fought until the end. We must become a team that never gives up, but we also need to improve our structure and stay disciplined." During the post‑match press conference, Peixoto was pressed about the loss of organisation, a recurring issue at Molineux.
He acknowledged that the atmosphere was electric, with a packed stadium and vocal supporters, but admitted that the team sometimes relied on emotion rather than tactical clarity. "When things aren’t going our way, players can drift and play with heart instead of brain," he said. "That’s a pattern we need to break." The underlying concern for Wolves is the tendency to revert to past habits under pressure. The high expectations of a full house can weigh heavily on a squad that struggled to adapt after falling behind.
Although they managed to claw back a point, the period when they were two goals down exposed a lack of composure and strategic awareness. Peixoto admitted that the team’s pressing and compactness faltered: "We didn’t wait for the right moments to press high, and when we did, we lost shape. That made us vulnerable and contributed to the difficulties we faced." If Wolves cannot resolve these issues, the early stages of the Championship could become a slog.
The club is expected to make personnel adjustments in the coming weeks, hoping that fresh faces will bring stability and resolve lingering frustrations. Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray defended his side’s performance, noting the controversy over the penalty: "From the replays it looks like the handball happened outside the box, but if the ball struck the hand away from the body, modern rules would still deem it a penalty." Mowbray also revealed that on his way to Wolverhampton he heard pundits predicting his team’s relegation. He responded confidently: "We’ve invested in young talent like Jayden Fevrier from Stockport County and brought in Sam Morsy on a free transfer. Some think we’re headed down, but our dressing room believes we have the quality to challenge any opponent, even the stronger teams in the league.
This draw shows we can give anyone trouble." Overall, the match was a roller‑coaster of emotions, showcasing both the resilience of Wolverhampton Wanderers and the growing confidence of Blackburn Rovers. While the point salvaged by Jimenez offers a glimmer of hope, the Wolves must address their tactical lapses and mental fragility if they are to fulfill the expectations of their passionate fan base throughout the season.