Wolves rallied from an early deficit to triumph over Stoke City with a convincing 4-1 victory, extending their unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship. The match at Molineux began with Stoke taking the lead thanks to a spectacular strike from Sam Gallagher in the second minute.
Gallagher, who had been relatively quiet in recent weeks, produced a moment of magic, holding off defender Marshall Munetsi before unleashing a powerful, curling effort from about 25 yards out that flew into the top corner, leaving Wolves' keeper Jose Sa with no chance. It was Gallagher's first goal since March, and it arrived after a loose square pass from Wolves forward Fer Lopez, catching the home side off guard.
However, the early excitement was short‑lived. Within three minutes, Rodrigo Gomes turned the tables, netting two quick goals that completely altered the complexion of the game before the break. The first of Gomes' strikes came in the 20th minute when he capitalised on a rebound after Viktor Johansson, Stoke's goalkeeper, parried a side‑footed effort from Raul Jimenez.
Gomes was perfectly positioned to pounce on the loose ball and slot it home, giving Wolves an equaliser. Just three minutes later, the Portuguese forward struck again, this time after a heavy touch by Eric Bocat allowed Gomes to find space inside the box.
He finished cleanly, putting Wolves ahead and shifting the momentum firmly in their favour. The second half saw Wolves continue to press and extend their lead. In the 55th minute, Raul Jimenez earned a penalty when he was brought down by Stoke defender Johnson while contesting a corner delivered by Hugo Bueno.
Jimenez, the Mexican international, stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot‑kick to the right of the goal, making it 3-1. His composure from the spot demonstrated his growing confidence after a relatively quiet start to the season. Later, substitute Jordan James made an immediate impact on his home debut.
Coming on for Gomes in the 77th minute, James linked up with Fer Lopez, who had drifted wide on the right. James delivered a precise square pass into the box, and Lopez, positioned just inside the left‑hand post, finished with a low, powerful shot from about 12 yards out. The goal, his fourth of the campaign, completed the 4-1 scoreline and gave the home fans plenty to celebrate.
Wolves also enjoyed several near‑misses that could have increased the margin. Mateus Mane, the 18‑year‑old Brazilian winger, was a constant threat on the flanks, repeatedly taking on Stoke full‑backs Ben Johnson and Gallagher. He created a notable chance when he held off Bosun Lawal, crossed into the box, and saw his effort parried by Johansson before Gomes followed up to score.
Mane later had a curling shot that was tipped wide by Johansson, and his overall performance was praised for its dynamism and technical skill. Stoke, on the other hand, struggled to find a rhythm after conceding the early goals.
Their attacking outlet, Eric Bocat, managed a few attempts but failed to trouble the Wolves defence significantly. A late, tame effort from Bocat underscored the visitors' inability to mount a sustained comeback. The only other notable Stoke moment came when a corner from Hugo Bueno was contested, leading to Jimenez's penalty, but beyond that, the home side were largely on the back foot. Post‑match, Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto reflected on the team's character and the importance of the response after the early concession.
He highlighted the squad's resilience, stating that the quick reaction to the setback demonstrated personality and a fighting spirit. Peixoto praised the defensive organisation, noting that the team limited Stoke's chances despite the early goal, and he commended the offensive structure that allowed them to create multiple high‑quality chances.
He also mentioned his pre‑match talk, which focused on maintaining the right shape and body language to inspire the supporters and the players alike. Peixoto admitted that Wolves had moments where they could have been more efficient, particularly after taking the lead. He cited a period where the team deviated from the tactics that had brought them success, allowing Stoke a brief window of opportunity. "We scored a brilliant goal then contrived to shoot ourselves in the foot," he said, acknowledging that a lapse in concentration gave Stoke a second chance that could have altered the game's flow.
Nonetheless, he remained optimistic, emphasizing that the team had shown quality in possession and defensive solidity. Overall, the victory solidified Wolves' position at the top of the table following the lunchtime fixtures, while also providing a morale boost after a shaky start. The match showcased the depth of Wolves' squad, with contributions from starters and substitutes alike, and highlighted the impact of young talents such as Mane and the experience of seasoned players like Jimenez. The comprehensive win will undoubtedly serve as a confidence builder as the Wolves continue their campaign in the Championship, aiming to maintain their unbeaten record and push for promotion.