Wolves rallied from an early setback to defeat Stoke City 4-1 at Molineux, extending their unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship. The match began with a spectacular strike from Sam Gallagher, who put Stoke ahead in the second minute. Gallagher, after holding off Marshall Munetsi, unleashed a curling shot from about 25 yards that flew into the top corner, leaving Wolves' keeper Jose Sa with no chance. It was the 30‑year‑old striker's first goal since March, and it arrived after a loose square pass from Wolves attacker Fer Lopez.
Despite the early lead, the visitors soon found their rhythm. Just three minutes later Rodrigo Gomes sparked a rapid comeback, netting twice within a three‑minute span before the interval. His first goal came after Viktor Johansson parried a side‑footed effort from Raul Jimenez; Gomes was perfectly positioned to pounce on the rebound and slot the ball home.
Minutes after that, Gomes struck again, this time capitalising on a defensive lapse as the ball ricocheted off a Stoke defender and into his path. By halftime the scoreline had flipped to 2-1 in Wolves' favour. The second half opened with Wolves continuing to press. Jimenez earned a penalty when he was brought down by Stoke defender Johnson while challenging for a corner from Hugo Bueno.
From the spot, the Mexican forward calmly dispatched the ball past Johansson, extending the lead to 3-1. Shortly after, a young talent, Mateus Mane, showcased his potential by weaving past Ben Johnson and Gallagher, then holding off Bosun Lawal. His cross was saved by Johansson, but Gomes was quick to react, firing a high shot into an unguarded net for Wolves' fourth goal.
Stoke struggled to create clear-cut chances in the second half. Their forward Eric Bocat managed a weak effort that drifted wide, and the visitors' defence remained disciplined, limiting the home side to a handful of half‑chances. In the 77th minute, Jordan James came on for Gomes and made an immediate impact.
Six minutes later, James completed a well‑crafted move: a square pass from Lopez on the right found James inside the box, and he slotted the ball past Johansson from twelve yards out, sealing the 4-1 victory. Wolves' manager Cesar Peixoto praised his side's resilience after the match.
He noted that conceding the opening goal could have unsettled the team, but the players responded with determination, showing "personality and character" to turn the game around. Peixoto highlighted the defensive organisation that limited Stoke's opportunities and the offensive structure that allowed Wolves to create multiple scoring chances.
He also mentioned his pre‑match talk, which aimed to instil the right shape and body language to energise the supporters. Peixoto reflected on moments of brilliance and missed opportunities, recalling Gallagher's early strike as a "world‑class" goal and acknowledging that the team at times "shot ourselves in the foot" by deviating from the tactics that had been working. He criticised a lapse when Eric Bocat attempted a dribble in a dangerous area, resulting in a turnover that gave Stoke a fleeting chance to get back into the game. "We have been the authors of our own downfall for the second week running," Peixoto admitted, emphasizing the need for consistency.
Overall, Wolves displayed a convincing performance, with key contributions from Gomes, Jimenez, Mane, and the substitute James. Their ability to bounce back after an early concession demonstrated mental strength and tactical flexibility. The win propelled Wolves to the top of the league table after the lunchtime fixtures, reinforcing their status as early favourites for promotion.
The match also provided a platform for younger players like Mane to gain valuable experience in a high‑pressure environment. Stoke, on the other hand, will need to regroup after a disappointing display.
Their early lead was squandered, and defensive errors allowed Wolves to dominate the second half. Managerial adjustments will be crucial as they look to recover points in the coming weeks.
The game was broadcast on Sky, with highlights available for free online. Fans were encouraged to watch the Championship highlights on their phones and to use Chrome for optimal video playback. Additionally, a promotional Super 6 competition offered a chance to win £250,000, with free entry for viewers.