Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Southampton: Raul Jimenez scores after VAR disallows two goals

Danny Ings shootsImage source, Getty Images
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All 25 of Danny Ings' Premier League goals have been scored from inside the penalty area

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said his side knew it was "time to show up" after they carved out a point against Wolves.

Danny Ings' opening goal was cancelled out by Raul Jimenez's equaliser from the penalty spot but it marked their first league point since victory over Sheffield United five weeks ago.

Jimenez had two goals disallowed by the video assistant referee in the first half at Molineux, which was hosting its 100th Premier League fixture.

But it was a confidence-boosting performance for Saints - one in which they dominated spells of possession - following defeats by Chelsea and Tottenham before the international break.

"You could feel it in the dressing room. Everyone knew it was time to show up," said Hasenhuttl.

"I know it was two difficult games we lost before but we were very critical with ourselves and that is the right way to make something better. If you are not honest, it is difficult to improve.

"It was a step forward. We were more stabilised in this game, better organised with our shape.

"It absolutely helps morale. After the last three games, the situation is never easy."

Jimenez thought he had put the hosts ahead midway through the first period when he rounded Angus Gunn before scoring into an empty net, but the video assistant referee ruled it out for handball.

He then finished from close range as half-time approached, but Patrick Cutrone was judged to have been offside in the build-up to the goal.

Ings put Southampton ahead soon after the break - scoring in his fourth consecutive appearance in all competitions for the first time in his career - but the visitors' lead lasted only eight minutes as Jimenez equalised from the penalty spot.

"We have to get used to VAR. It's fine margins. They are small details but they are there to decide," said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

"We celebrate then lose that, that is what's tough. The mood, it has a terrible impact and the other team celebrates. This is VAR and we have to get used to it.

"Every time the referee makes a signal for VAR, everybody is worried."

Jimenez and Wolves made to wait

Nuno made two changes to the Wolves side which beat champions Manchester City two weeks ago, bringing in Jonny and Ryan Bennett for the injured Romain Saiss and Ruben Vinagre, who dropped to the bench.

The hosts showed no sign of sluggishness after the international break, which came just as they were finding form with three consecutive league wins, but they were dealt an early blow when Bennett went off with a muscle twinge.

Southampton applied some early pressure while Wolves' Willy Boly played several exquisite balls forward, twice handing his team-mates good opportunities in and around Gunn's box.

It was Boly who put Jimenez in to find the back of the net for the first time, but VAR ruled the Mexican had handled the ball when bringing it down.

The second disallowed goal soon followed, Wolves making the most of some sloppy Saints play in the middle as Cutrone poked an effort towards goal. Gunn could do little but push it into Jimenez's path to finish, but VAR replays showed Cutrone had been marginally offside.

Tempers started to fray towards the end of the first half, and after Ings' goal at the start of the second, Wolves looked to have lost their way.

But when substitute Matt Doherty was clipped in the box by Saints skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Jimenez made no mistake in making it third time lucky, coolly slotting the ball past Gunn for the equaliser.

Image source, Getty Images
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Jimenez has scored three Premier League goals for Wolves this season

Saints show promise

Southampton looked a different side to that beaten 4-1 at home by Chelsea two weeks ago, despite boss Hasenhuttl making just one change to his starting XI with Jannik Vestergaard replacing Shane Long.

They matched Wolves through the majority of the match, Ings and Nathan Redmond proving thorns in the hosts' side as they carved out several chances with the former going close from a tight angle early on.

It was Hojbjerg who had the best opportunity to put his side ahead but he failed to keep his effort low after being fed in by Ings, and punched the air in frustration as he quickly rued the missed chance.

They no doubt sighed with great relief when Jimenez's first and then second goals were ruled out, sandwiching another missed chance by Ings after he was played in by Ryan Bertrand, before Redmond saw out the first half with a half-volley into the side netting.

Ings finally put Southampton ahead just after the hour mark after a slip up at the back by Wolves, the striker finding the ball at his feet with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Their celebrations were soon muted by Jimenez's equaliser but they showed great promise in the latter stages of the match, James Ward-Prowse going close with a free-kick and there was slick play from substitute Sofiane Boufal.

'There was a lot of fight' - what they said

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Santo says Wolves need to be 'more solid'

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Hasenhüttl happy with Southampton's defensive against Wolves

Man of the match - Danny Ings (Southampton)

Image source, Getty Images
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Ings carved out six chances of his own in front of goal, and his strike to put Southampton ahead saw him score in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since January 2015.

Jimenez makes Wolves history - the stats

  • Wolves have lost just one of their past 13 Premier League matches at Molineux (W7 D5 L1).

  • Southampton have won just twice in their past 14 Premier League games, drawing five and losing seven times.

  • Seven of Southampton's eight points this season have come on the road - a league-high share in 2019-20 (88%).

  • Raul Jimenez has scored more penalties than any other Wolves player in Premier League history (four). Wolves have scored their past nine penalties in the Premier League.

  • Southampton's Danny Ings has scored in four consecutive appearances in all competitions for the first time in English football (five goals).

  • All 25 of Danny Ings' Premier League goals have been scored from inside the penalty area, with 11 coming for Southampton.

What's next?

Following Thursday's trip to Slovakia for their Europa League tie against Slovan Bratislava, Wolves travel to Newcastle on Sunday, 27 October (14:00 GMT). Southampton welcome Leicester to St Mary's Stadium on Friday (20:00 BST).

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