Wolves 2-0 Southampton: Ivan Cavaleiro scores with first Premier League touch to sink Saints
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Nuno Espirito Santo's side have not lost at home in the league since January
Ivan Cavaleiro scored with his first touch in the Premier League as Wolves struck two second-half goals to beat Southampton at Molineux.
The Portuguese international converted after great work by record signing Adama Traore down the right with 11 minutes remaining, before Jonathan Castro Otto received Matt Doherty's cut-back to secure the points in the closing stages.
In a game starved of quality and clear-cut opportunities, it was substitute Traore who made the difference with trademark incisive runs as the hosts defended their unbeaten home record.
Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy had produced an excellent save from Raul Jimenez's header, having also denied the Mexican in a tight first half, to keep his side in the contest - but the Saints have now won only four of their past 32 league fixtures.
Nuno Espirito Santo's men, meanwhile, have climbed to eighth in the league and are now on an unbeaten top-flight run of five games for the first time since 1981.
Wolves' persistence pays off
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Southampton: Nuno Espirito Santo happy with team's work ethic
A deserved point against Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, avoiding defeat there for the first time since 1980, typified Wolves' ambition this campaign as a solid start to their top-flight return continued under their Portuguese coach.
And an unchanged starting XI for a seventh consecutive league game, equalling a Premier League record, was indicative of exactly how satisfied Nuno is with his side's current level of performance.
The hosts struggled initially to force goal-scoring opportunities, as McCarthy spared the visitors on several occasions, but Wolves' perseverance ultimately paid off.
Doherty in particular offered a positive attacking outlet for the hosts down the right wing, a threat bolstered by Traore's introduction on 53 minutes that - along with Cavaleiro - proved an inspired substitution.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, an £18m signing from Middlesbrough, has proved he will show no fear in Nuno's expansive team, and it was his good work that created what had begun to look an unlikely breakthrough.
Wolves have now reached double figures after seven matches, having never previously got to 10 points in fewer than 11 Premier League games.
Saints struggle to create
Wolves 2-0 Southampton: We more than held our own - Hughes
Southampton's stuttering start to the Premier League season goes on, with just one win to show from their opening seven matches.
Despite appearing to turn a corner with victory over Crystal Palace prior to the international break, the Saints were blown away by Liverpool last time out and they struggled to create enough clear-cut opportunities once again at Molineux.
Mark Hughes' side appeared fairly comfortable throughout, anchored in midfield by Mario Lemina and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who did well to stifle the usual creativity of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves.
But, despite welcoming back leading scorer Danny Ings - ineligible to face his parent club last weekend - a clear issue persists for the Saints in the attacking third.
To eventually lose by two goals was harsh on the visitors - but they have now failed to beat a top-half opponent in 29 attempts, since April 2017.
And, more worryingly for manager Hughes, his side - who sit 15th - have taken just 13 points from a possible 45 in the Premier League since he took charge.
Man of the match - Matt Doherty (Wolves)
The adventurous wing-back offered a constant attacking threat for the home side, assisting their second goal to round off an impressive performance.
'We need more devilment' - what they said
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo: "I am so happy as my team worked really hard against a tough opponent. Southampton caused us some problems but we stayed in the game and it was a deserved win.
"It is important to be defensively organised and keep a clean sheet. On that, we believe in our identity and our style of play. I expect the best from my team and they work very hard. Wolves fans must be happy coming to Molineux and should be proud of their team."
Southampton manager Mark Hughes: "We came here against a very good Wolves side and more than held our own. It's no good consoling yourself with good performances if you're not getting the points. We've made individual mistakes in two one v one situations in wider areas, which we need to deal with better.
"We had good moments where we needed a bit more devilment in our play. We need to be more aggressive and make sure we're getting on the end of things - that's in both boxes. We didn't deserve a defeat today."
Cavaleiro's instant impact - the stats
Ivan Cavaleiro scored on his Premier League debut just 94 seconds after coming on as a substitute for Wolves.
This was only Wolves' 10th Premier League victory by more than one goal, and their first since beating Wigan Athletic 3-1 in November 2011.
Three of the five players to score on their Premier League debuts this season - Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez and Ivan Cavaleiro - have been Wolves players.
Wolves are the second team in Premier League history to have three different Portuguese scorers - Neves, Moutinho and Cavaleiro - in a single season, after Chelsea in 2008-09.
Southampton are winless in seven Premier League games against newly promoted opposition, losing each of their last two.
Wolves are only the third team in Premier League history to name the same starting XI for their opening seven games of a season, after Leeds United in 1992-93 and Aston Villa in 2008-09.
What's next?
Southampton face Everton in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday (19:45 BST), before hosting Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday (14:15).
Wolves travel to face Crystal Palace on Saturday (15:00).