Wolves rallied from an early setback to triumph over Stoke with a 4-1 victory, extending their unbeaten run at the start of the Sky Bet Championship season. The match, held at Molineux, began with a flash of brilliance from Stoke's Sam Gallagher, who struck just two minutes in with a spectacular long‑range effort that left Wolves keeper Jose Sa with no chance.
Gallagher’s goal, a powerful curler from about 25 yards after out‑muscling Marshall Munetsi, marked his first strike since March and gave the visitors an early lead. However, the joy was short‑lived. Within three minutes of the opening goal, Rodrigo Gomes turned the tide for Wolves.
The Portuguese forward capitalised on a defensive lapse, pouncing on a rebound to slot home the equaliser. Just minutes later, Gomes struck again, this time from a second‑time rebound after goalkeeper Viktor Johansson had parried a side‑footed attempt from Raul Jimenez.
Gomes’ quick‑fire double put Wolves ahead 2-0 before the half‑time whistle, completely reversing the early narrative. The second half saw Wolves maintain their momentum. In the 55th minute, Raul Jimenez earned a penalty after being brought down by Stoke defender Johnson while challenging for a corner from Hugo Bueno. Jimenez calmly converted from the spot, extending the lead to 3-1 and further demoralising the home side.
Six minutes from the end, substitute Jordan James made his home debut and added a fourth goal. James, who entered the fray in the 77th minute for Gomes, finished a swift counter‑attack that began with a precise square pass from Lopez on the right.
James cut inside, met the ball with a composed finish from 12 yards, and sent the ball into the far post, sealing the win. Wolves also enjoyed several near‑misses that could have raised the tally even higher. Mateus Mane, the 18‑year‑old prodigy, threatened on a couple of occasions; his first came when he out‑paced Ben Johnson and Gallagher, held off Bosun Lawal, and saw his cross parried before Gomes headed the rebound into an empty net. Later, Mane’s curling effort was tipped over by Johansson, and a subsequent shot from the same player was also denied, highlighting the young striker’s growing influence despite the final scoreline.
Stoke struggled to create clear-cut chances after conceding the early goals. Their most notable threat came from Eric Bocat, whose late effort drifted wide, and an earlier chance that was blocked by Sa. The visitors’ defence, organised under manager Cesar Peixoto, remained resilient, limiting Stoke to a handful of half‑chances and preventing any further damage. After the match, Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto praised his side’s character and tactical discipline.
He acknowledged the early concession but stressed the importance of the swift response: "We gave away a goal, but the reaction was crucial. The players showed personality, fought back, and we ended up scoring four. We could have added more if we had kept the same offensive shape throughout." Peixoto also reflected on moments where Wolves could have been more clinical, noting a missed opportunity when a shot hit the post and a lapse that allowed Stoke a second chance.
He emphasized that the team had been responsible for its own setbacks in recent weeks, but the win demonstrated their ability to learn and adapt. Overall, the match illustrated Wolves’ depth and resilience. The early goal from Gallagher, while impressive, was insufficient to derail a Wolves side that quickly found its rhythm, exploited defensive errors, and turned a potential defeat into a comprehensive victory. The result propels Wolves to the top of the table after the lunchtime fixtures, underscoring their ambition to challenge for promotion this season.
The win also highlights the contributions of both seasoned players like Jimenez and emerging talents such as Mane, suggesting a balanced squad capable of sustaining a strong campaign. In summary, Wolves overcame a daunting start, showcased attacking flair through Gomes, Jimenez, and James, and defended resolutely to secure a 4-1 win over Stoke, reinforcing their unbeaten start to the Championship season.