Southampton 2-3 Wolves: Raul Jimenez scores twice to seal remarkable win
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Raul Jimenez (left) has been directly involved in 27 goals for Wolves in all competitions this season (18 goals, nine assists) - more than any other player for a Premier League club in 2019-20
Mexican striker Raul Jimenez scored twice as Wolves magnificently came from 2-0 down to win at in-form Southampton.
The Saints looked set for their sixth victory in seven games when Jan Bednarek hooked in and Shane Long headed home for his first of the season.
However, the momentum shifted after the break. Portuguese teenager Pedro Neto, exceptional for Wolves so far this season, reduced the deficit after controlling Adama Traore's delivery from the right.
Jimenez slotted home from the spot to bring the scores level after Jonny had been sandwiched by Jack Stephens and Cedric Soares. Referee Darren England, making his Premier League debut, pointed for a corner before his decision was overturned by VAR.
And with 14 minutes left the fightback was complete when Jimenez stroked in after more good work from Traore.
Jimenez leads remarkable turnaround
A popular post-match question to Nuno Espirito Santo might be, "what did you say to them at half-time?"
Wolves were relatively abject in that opening period. Neither Jimenez, Neto nor Traore made many in-roads into the Southampton area.
Some might have thought that this long season for Wolves, which started back at the end of July, was beginning to take its toll on the players - after all, they had experienced three defeats and two draws in the previous five games.
But in Nuno they have one of the best motivators in this league. The team also has a precocious talent in Neto.
The 19-year-old, who appears destined for greater achievements, set Wolves on their way when he brought down Traore's ball brilliantly before striking past Alex McCarthy.
The home crowd at St Mary's then fell almost silent as VAR overturned England's initial 'no penalty' decision before Jimenez slotted home.
The forward, at the forefront of all that has been good for the Midlands side, then capped off a great day for the visitors when he converted Traore's cross.
Saints brought back to earth
Shane Long scored his first goal for the Saints since 27 April v Bournemouth
All good things come to an end, and this ended with a thump to the face for Ralph Hasenhuttl.
But if he erases the woeful second-half capitulation from his mind and focuses on the first half then there are positives.
The first being Long. The Austrian boss was recently glowing about the 32-year-old, highlighting how his workrate and effervescent attitude in attack have aided both strike-partner Danny Ings and the side in recent weeks.
He would have had a smile as wide as anybody's when Long finally ended a drought going back to April with a stopping header from Cedric Soares' cross.
As for Bednarek, he scored his first since April 2018. James Ward-Prowse delivered a free-kick from the right and the Polish centre-back hooked home from 12 yards.
That run of wins prior to Saturday moved the Saints into mid-table - it is important they rediscover the form that took them there.
Man of the match - Adama Traore
A tough call considering Raul Jimenez scored twice, but Traore set up two of Wolves' goals and deserves the nod
'I said a lot of things at half-time' - reaction
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl:
"As everybody sees, we had a good first half and a not-so-good second half.
"The opponent showed how you can turn the table with a few lucky moments, and I think we had a chance to score the third goal, when we were a little bit unlucky with the Long header on to the post.
"Congratulations to Wolves - they showed what a strong mentality they have, to turn such a game, and we must learn from this lesson.
"We did a good job in the last weeks, but if we don't carry on defending as we did, we can immediately concede goals. That was not the way we wanted to do it in the second half."
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo, when asked what he said to his side at half-time:
"I said a lot of things. They did the job. We realised the first half was not good. I'm very proud of the players - even proud of the first half.
"In the tempo theirs was better than ours.
"In the second half, making the goal then anything can change."
Wolves' 'bouncebackability' - stats
Since the start of last season, Southampton have dropped 42 points from leading positions in the Premier League, 13 more than any other side.
Wolves have picked up 18 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, seven more than any other side.
Since the start of last season, Wolves have seen 68% of their Premier League goals scored in the second-half (55/81), the highest proportion of any current top-flight side.
Wolves have conceded the first goal in a league-high 16 different Premier League games this season, including each of the last seven in a row.
Bednarek netted just his second goal for Southampton in 61 appearances in all competitions and his first for the club since April 2018 (v Chelsea).
Long netted his 54th Premier League goal, becoming the joint-third-highest scoring Republic of Ireland player in the Premier League (Robbie Keane 126, Niall Quinn 59, Damien Duff 54).
Neto has scored two goals in his last three Premier League appearances for Wolves after failing to find the back of the net in any of his 13 before that.
What's next?
Wolves are at home to Liverpool on Thursday (20:00 GMT) and Southampton are at Crystal Palace on Tuesday (19:30 GMT).