Wolves rallied from an early deficit to defeat Stoke City 4-1 at Molineux, extending their unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship and solidifying their position at the top of the table after the weekend's fixtures. The match began with Stoke taking the lead in the second minute when Sam Gallagher struck a spectacular long-range effort. Gallagher, who had not found the net since March, managed to hold off Wolves defender Marshall Munetsi before unleashing a curling shot from about 25 yards that flew into the top corner, leaving Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa with no chance.
The goal came after a loose square pass from Wolves forward Fer Lopez, and it gave the visitors an early psychological boost. Stoke continued to press, and Gallagher almost doubled the lead when his follow‑up shot was blocked by Sa after a quick pass from Bae Jun‑ho. A rebound fell to Sorba Thomas, who failed to make the most of the opportunity, firing wide of the target. However, Wolves responded swiftly.
In the 20th minute they equalised when Rodrigo Gomes capitalised on a rebound after goalkeeper Viktor Johansson parried a side‑footed strike from Raul Jimenez. Just three minutes later, Gomes struck again, this time from close range after Johansson saved Jimenez’s initial effort. The Portuguese forward’s positioning and quick reaction allowed him to slot the ball home, giving Wolves a 2-0 lead before the break. The second half saw Wolves maintain pressure.
Jimenez earned a penalty in the 55th minute after being impeded by Stoke defender Johnson while contesting a corner delivered by Hugo Bueno. From the spot, the Mexican forward coolly dispatched the ball past Johansson, making it 3-1. The goal highlighted Wolves’ ability to convert set‑piece opportunities and their composure under pressure.
Late in the game, substitute Jordan James made his home debut and added a fourth goal. After coming on for Gomes in the 77th minute, James received a square pass from Lopez on the right flank and, from about 12 yards out, slotted the ball into the far post, completing the scoring for Wolves. The move began with a cross‑field pass that freed Lopez out wide, demonstrating the team’s fluid attacking patterns even after the majority of the game had been played.
Stoke struggled to create clear chances in the second half. Their striker Eric Bocat managed a tame effort that drifted wide, and the visitors’ defence, organised by coach Cesar Peixoto, limited the home side’s opportunities. Wolves’ young talent Mateus Mane, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, missed a potential fourth goal when his curling effort was tipped away by Johansson, but his overall performance remained impressive, showcasing his ability to beat defenders and create space. After the final whistle, Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto praised his side’s resilience and character.
He noted that conceding an early goal could have derailed the team, but the players responded with determination, scoring four goals and displaying a strong defensive shape. Peixoto highlighted the importance of the players’ body language and the support of the fans, emphasizing that the squad showed quality in both attack and defence. He also reflected on moments where Wolves could have been more efficient, mentioning a lapse that allowed Stoke a second chance and acknowledging that the team had “written its own downfall for the second week running.” Overall, the 4-1 victory underlined Wolves’ attacking depth, with contributions from Gomes, Jimenez, James and the emerging Mateus Mane, while also exposing areas for tactical refinement.
The win kept Wolves unbeaten and reinforced their status as championship leaders, setting the stage for a promising continuation of the season.