“Regardless of the result” Pundit impressed by Gary O’Neil GAME changing decision that left Soton in the trenches.
Gary O’Neil got a brief respite from the pressure, as his team finally broke their winless streak.
More than six months since Wolves’ last Premier League victory, they secured a 2-0 win over Southampton at Molineux, thanks to goals from Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha. The victory brings Wolves within a point of safety heading into the international break.
O’Neil made a surprising decision to start Sarabia against Southampton, despite many expecting the Spaniard to be benched. Sarabia scored Wolves’ fastest Premier League goal in the match, which came as a shock after a lackluster showing against Crystal Palace on matchday 10.
Journalist Liam Keen called O’Neil’s choice to start Sarabia a “crazy” one but noted that the midfielder’s goal quickly validated it. “Regardless of the result, I would’ve said starting Sarabia was a crazy choice. Then, two minutes in, it’s justified.”
Keen acknowledged that, while Sarabia’s opening goal was crucial, the rest of his performance wasn’t outstanding. “Did Sarabia have a great half overall? Not really,” Keen said. “But he showed his technical skill, smart positioning, and final-third quality with that goal—a fantastic run, one touch past Ramsdale. I didn’t think starting him was the right choice, but it was justified very quickly.”
After Sarabia’s tight calf led to his substitution at halftime, his early impact set the tone for Wolves, even though the team’s overall performance was unremarkable. The three points, however, were essential to help Wolves build momentum.
With the November international break ahead, Wolves will regroup before resuming domestic play, facing a crucial stretch as the Premier League pushes toward 2025.