Wolves rallied from an early setback to secure a convincing 4-1 triumph over Stoke City, extending their unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship. The match, played at Molineux, began with Stoke taking the initiative when Sam Gallagher struck just two minutes in, delivering a spectacular long‑range effort that left Wolves' keeper Jose Sa with no chance.
Gallagher, who had not found the net since March, capitalised on a loose square pass from Fer Lopez, holding off defender Marshall Munetsi before unleashing a curling shot from about 25 yards that nestled into the top corner. Stoke's early dominance was short‑lived. Within three minutes of the restart, Rodrigo Gomes produced a double‑header response that swung the momentum in Wolves' favour.
The Portuguese forward pounced on a rebound after goalkeeper Viktor Johansson parried a side‑footed attempt from Raul Jimenez, and then, only minutes later, followed up another chance by tapping home a second rebound, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead before the interval. The first half continued to favour the home side, with Wolves creating several clear‑cut chances. Mateo Mane, the 18‑year‑old winger, displayed his growing confidence by beating Ben Johnson and Gallagher, then holding off Bosun Lawal before his cross was saved by Johansson. Gomes, ever the poacher, reacted quickest and hammered the ball into an unguarded net, extending the lead to 3-1 after 55 minutes when Jimenez was awarded a penalty.
The Mexican striker calmly slotted the spot‑kick past Johansson, sending the home crowd into raptures. Stoke attempted to respond, but their efforts were largely thwarted by a disciplined Wolves defence. Gallagher had a second‑half chance when his follow‑up shot was blocked by Sa, and Sorba Thomas missed a rebound, firing wide.
Meanwhile, Stoke's forward Eric Bocat managed only a tame effort late on, failing to trouble the Wolves' back line. The final minutes saw Wolves add a fourth goal through substitute Jordan James, who had come on for Gomes in the 77th minute. James, making his home debut, collected a precise square pass from Lopez on the right, cut inside and slotted the ball low to the left of Johansson's post.
His finish capped a move that began with a well‑timed crossfield pass from James himself, which had freed Lopez out wide. Wolves' manager Cesar Peixoto praised his side's resilience and character after the match.
He noted that conceding the early goal could have unsettled the team, but the players responded with determination, organising both defensively and offensively. Peixoto highlighted the importance of maintaining the right shape and body language to inspire the supporters, and he commended the squad for finding space, defending stoutly, and creating high‑quality chances. Peixoto also reflected on moments where Wolves could have been more efficient. He mentioned that after scoring a brilliant opening goal, the team briefly lost focus, allowing Stoke a chance to equalise.
He pointed out a specific incident where Eric Bocat attempted a dribble in a dangerous area, lost possession, and gave Stoke a brief window of opportunity, which ultimately did not change the result but highlighted the need for concentration. Overall, the 4-1 victory not only showcased Wolves' attacking flair—thanks to the contributions of Gomes, Jimenez, Mane and James—but also underscored their defensive solidity.
The win propelled Wolves to the top of the table following the lunchtime fixtures, reinforcing their status as early season favourites in the Championship. The match also provided a platform for young talent like Mane to shine, while experienced players such as Jimenez demonstrated composure in crucial moments, particularly from the penalty spot. Stoke, despite the heavy defeat, will look to regroup and address the defensive lapses that allowed Wolves to score four times. For Wolves, the focus will now shift to maintaining consistency, sharpening their finishing, and building on the momentum generated by this comprehensive performance as the season progresses.