Manchester United are set to proceed with paying Wolves' 25-year-old Brazil forward Matheus Cunha's £62.5m release clause in instalments. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves have nothing but pride to play for this season as they sit 14th in the table and Vitor Pereira showed he had one eye on 2025-26 as he made five changes for this game.
To their credit, they did not play like a team whose mind might be on their summer holidays and instead pushed Palace hard for their win as Jorgen Strand Larsen's second-half header gave them something to fight for, until Eberechi Eze's introduction made the win save for the hosts.
Six successive wins pulled Wolves well clear of danger earlier this year but this was a third consecutive loss. and they will be determined to not let the season finish with a losing run when they host Brentford at the weekend.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance
What did you make of Wolves' display?
Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies
There are two Premier League matches being played this evening, and you can follow every kick on BBC Sport.
Crystal Palace v Wolves
Man City v Bournemouth
Both kick-off times 20:00 BST
Dazzling Dave
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesManager of the year awards often go to coaches who lift major trophies, but Vitor Pereira's work at Wolves deserves real respect and recognition.
When he took charge in December, Wolves were in disarray. The team had just nine points, fans were fearing the worst, and relegation looked almost certain. Now, Wolves sit on the brink of a 14th-place finish with 41 points—something no one predicted just months ago.
Pereira made his mark almost straight away. Within days, Wolves picked up key results over the festive period. Suddenly, there was hope. The mood around the club shifted. The dread that used to hang over Molineux on matchdays has been replaced by genuine excitement and belief—fans now turn up thinking Wolves can beat anyone.
Key to this revival has been Pereira's leadership style. He tackled dressing room problems with honesty and restored the discipline that was missing. He was firm when needed, taking tough decisions to move on players like Mario Lemina and Craig Dawson, ensuring the squad stayed focused and united. His open communication style, especially with the Portuguese-speaking core, made the group feel understood and valued.
Pereira's tactical clarity also made a difference. He gave players clear roles and built their confidence, simplifying what had become an overcomplicated setup under his predecessor.
Off the pitch, he embraced the club's culture, quickly building a strong bond with the Wolves community. He never underestimated the importance of the fans, crediting their support for pushing the team through difficult moments.
Most importantly, Pereira's calm, down-to-earth approach has inspired both players and supporters. He has brought pride and unity back to a club that felt lost before his arrival.
Avoiding relegation and finishing mid-table when so much pointed to disaster is a huge achievement. Pereira's nomination, external is not just justified—it is a celebration of leadership that rescued a season, and gave Wolves their hope and identity back.
Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external
The Crystal Palace fans won't really care what the result is here, because they won the game that really mattered at Wembley at the weekend, and they have a trophy to show for it.
So, there will definitely be a party in the stands at Selhurst Park after Palace's FA Cup success, but it is hard to know what to expect from the Eagles players after their own celebrations.
I am not really sure what shape Wolves will be in either, though. They were on a superb run of form until the start of May, but have lost their past two games.
It is Palace who will have all the momentum and Eberechi Eze is flying at the moment so I am going to back them here, but the outcome really depends on whether their manager Oliver Glasner makes a lot of changes.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
Wolves' Matheus Cunha is set to join Manchester United after the season ends this weekend, with the Red Devils expected to trigger the forward's £62.5m release clause. (Sky Sports, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game at Crystal Palace (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "Only issue is Tommy Doyle with a small problem, and Sam [Johnstone] to clean the injury that he had before. But they are not serious injuries, just small things that they want to clean."
Pereira admitted he does not have any information regarding Matheus Cunha's future but said the forward "is committed, he is my player and is working with happiness".
On his manager of the year nomination: "A bit surprised because I came into the league in the middle of the season, but proud of my players, my staff, the club and the supporters because this is team work. It's not just me who has achieved this,. It is something special, for sure, and I am very proud."
Pereira stated that their goal after he arrived was to "transform their situation" into something better, and that was their "title". Survival was the goal, but for next season, the goal is to get better, "create a strong team with a strong base".
On Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia's future: "Nelson knows we want him in the team. Even Sarabia - I like his personality and quality. We tried to do our best, but at this moment, I don't have the answer. We must wait. Sometimes we are impatient, and we must respect the timing of the players and the club."
On the travelling Wolves fans: "Thanks a lot for the support, because without them we cannot transform a very difficult season into looking towards the future."
Pereira reiterated that he was ready for a break after a long season, starting with the work he had done in Saudi Arabia and subsequently taking over the Wolves job. However, the Portuguese manager stated that there will be important "meetings" during the summer as they have "work to do".
On Crystal Palace: "I believe that the motivation of the supporters and the team will be at a high level. But to prepare a game, I look at my team on what we can do, try to be consistent - and next season to be more consistent, to play better football. This is the way to improve our level."
Follow all of Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves' Jorgen Strand Larsen has made more targeted off-the-ball runs into the box than any other player in the Premier League this season (109).
Image source, Getty ImagesEarlier, we asked you to identify the current Wolves player.
The answer is Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Guess the current Wolves player from these three clues:
I had a spell in AC Milan's youth system but never made a senior appearance for them.
I have played senior football in four different countries.
I have four appearances in the Europa League.
Come back to this page at 17:00 BST for the answer.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Premier League 2024-25 manager of the year shortlist, external has been announced.
Nottingham Forest's Nuno Espirito Santo, Brentford's Thomas Frank, Newcastle United's Eddie Howe, Wolves' Vitor Pereira and Liverpool's Arne Slot have all been nominated.
Voting closes 12:00 BST on Monday 19 May.
The votes from the public will then be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the winner.
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAge-old wisdom asserts that the league table tells the truth in the long run - and certainly by mid-May. Wolves' recent experience fits entirely with this, in so far as their recent six-match winning run came, freakishly, against the six clubs currently ranked below them.
Last Friday, Vitor Pereira warded off any thoughts their final three games might be an anti-climax by suggesting that their opponents – Brighton, Crystal Palace and Brentford, all set to finish in the middle third – are clubs that Wolves should realistically be able to match next season.
The Brighton game supported his thesis. There did not appear to be much between the teams in the general flow of the match, but Brighton found the precision at both ends to tilt things their way.
Now and then, Wolves produced some attractive passing, Matheus Cunha in particular getting the crowd cooing in the first half as he showed off his repertoire. But Brighton's less flashy work eventually took a grip on the game while Wolves spun their wheels. Mats Wieffer made himself Cunha's menacing shadow, forcing the blunder that set up the result. Wolves were not bad - just ineffective.
"In the first half we competed, created some chances to finish, but missed the last shot or last pass… one or two mistakes," said Pereira. "We played a lot with our heart in the second half, but without intelligence to control the pace. When [it] goes to this kind of match, with transitions and counter-attack transitions, we win the ball, we lose the ball, and this is not the game that I like because it's unpredictable. In the end, they punished us and they deserved to win."
Most of the attention around Wolves' recovery under Pereira has focused, understandably, on the revival of team spirit and getting the fans onside. Certainly the club needed someone to rally behind and fix some urgent problems. The sense that everyone is now pulling broadly in the same direction has been essential to get away from trouble.
But Saturday's game illustrated that unity and fighting spirit will only get them so far. To reach Pereira's next checkpoint - and avoiding the relegation stress of two of the past three seasons - will need more work. Perhaps the time available in pre-season can allow it, fostering the intelligence and sense of control needed against better sides.
To that end, Pereira may have found Saturday a more informative, if less enjoyable, experience.
Listen to full commentary of Crystal Palace v Wolves at 20:00 BST on Tuesday, 20 May on BBC Radio WM 95.6FM/DAB/Freeview
Tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
Image source, Getty ImagesFor the players and fans, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi getting this injury in a situation where the offside flag should have been raised is so frustrating.
The frustration is when it is clear and obvious. Officials have been overseeing games for many years and they would always flag whether they were right or wrong.
Now technology has come into it, they are very reliant on VAR to make the right decision, the factual decision, about an offside. But, I think when an offside is so clear and obvious, it should be the duty of the assistant referee to put their flag up and stop play from the off.
When it is marginal, I understand we are a bit more hesitant when there are really fine margins, and we have seen those fine margins when goals have been given and it is a toenail to keep them on-side. I would understand it from that point of view, but it was on the halfway-line where the offside happened on Sunday, only for play to be allowed to continue.
It has been a matter of time. It has been a time bomb waiting to go off for somebody to get seriously injured. Awoniyi is the one that has got that injury - that horrific injury - because of it. Some will say it is only the first time it has happened in the duration of this rule, but it should never happen. That is how players will be looking at it, how fans and managers will be looking at it and saying 'it should never happen'. We should not wait for something to happen to reassess rules like this.
I don't like the ruling of it - it is on the halfway-line, it is clear and obviously offside, everybody in the stadium could probably see it. It should be for the assistant referee to make the decision. There are small margins in the box, I understand why they are a bit hesitant, but in open play, if somebody is sprinting, you could cause hamstring, quad, and all types of muscle injuries.
I am totally against this rule of waiting to put up the flag and I think most players and managers are as well. It's disappointing. I think it's a rule that nobody likes, and I'm sure in the summer off the back of this injury, one that will probably be reassessed.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson
Dazzling Dave
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton have a knack for spoiling Wolves' party, and the latest defeat was a reminder that the "manager of the month curse" is alive and well at Molineux.
For Wolves supporters, the Seagulls' recent record is enough to give a sinking feeling before kick-off. Time after time, Wolves have not solved Brighton's puzzle. Their press, quick transitions and tactical shape always seem to catch Wolves out.
Wolves' first half offered glimpses of control and a few decent spells, but after conceding a penalty - another mistake that is all too familiar - it felt like things were not going to go our way. There was little urgency and the home crowd felt the disappointment.
It was not a thrashing, but it hurt because Wolves were mostly undone by themselves. Brighton's discipline and shape made the difference. Wolves had more of the ball but did not threaten enough. The creative spark just was not there.
Matheus Cunha dropped much deeper than usual, missing his usual impact up front and his costly challenge for the penalty gave Brighton their opener. Goncalo Guedes had moments but could not convert. When corners and free-kicks came Wolves' way, they led to nothing. Wolves seemed to lose all their attacking intent.
A slip in concentration led to Brighton's second goal and Wolves just could not recover.
For fans, the loss felt avoidable. Brighton were not outstanding, but still beat us again. The frustration is clear: without more creativity, pace, or a real goal threat, Wolves will keep finding teams like Brighton hard to break down. Looking ahead, summer recruitment needs to focus on fixing these issues.
It would be a shame if Wolves just limp over the line. We need to keep recent momentum going, find that missing spark and set the tone for next year.
Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
Wolves fans
Rhys: Not a bad performance by Wolves. Thought we played all right but Brighton punished us for the mistakes we made. Matheus Cunha can leave now. He cost us a goal and he got booked. We just need to get these two games out of the way.
Mike: We were unable to cope with Brighton's press and made lots of unforced errors. We lacked width, particularly on the right wing . Some key players showed insufficient commitment to keep the ball.
Stefan: We lacked that killer punch. Strange game where we should have scored at least one goal, but could have conceded a couple more, particularly with defenders trying to play two-touch football to clear the ball instead of getting rid of it upfield. Still some promising stuff coming out of the squad with anticipation for a better outcome next season.
Matthew: Awful performance after the first 15 minutes. Players already on the beach, clearly. Worst Cunha display in ages too.
Brighton fans
David: Excellent all-round team performance. Have we missed Joao Pedro? Past three game without him, seven points. Previous three with him, one point. Well done Danny Welbeck from the spot.
Mick: For the second game running, I don't think we were the better team on the day, but we managed this game better. Some notable performances from Mats Wieffer, Pervis Estupinan and player of the year Jan Paul van Hecke. The manager won the tactical battle and individual players snuffed out the threat from Wolves' danger men. With Pedro back next week we have a chance of taking the final European place.
Fran: Good team performance, with substitutions again made the difference. The players are starting to show what they can do even if it is coming to the end of the season so things looks good for the future. Just concentrate on the next two games and if we get Europe fine. If not, we have still had a good season.
Sean: Now we have some defenders back fit, we are looking more solid at the back. It was great to keep a clean sheet. Some solid performances all over the pitch, I think eighth may be just out of reach with having to play Liverpool next, but if we can keep the core squad and manager, finishing in the top five could be a reality next season.
Tim Oscroft
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesRayan Ait-Nouri and Wolves were snuffed out by Brighton at Molineux
Wolves' season, which included a run of five consecutive wins in April, could be in danger of fading away after a second consecutive loss where they failed to score.
They will rue the chances they missed in the 2-0 loss to Brighton, especially in the first half, including Goncalo Guedes' flick over the bar when unmarked in the penalty area and Marshall Munetsi's headers that lacked venom.
But Vitor Pereira rolled the dice when introducing Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Pablo Sarabia and Jorgen Strand Larsen just before the hour - and the move almost paid off.
The hosts enjoyed their best spell as the game opened up, with Bart Verbruggen keeping Brighton ahead when he saved a deflection from Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke.
But they ran out of steam towards the end, and their remaining fixtures at Crystal Palace and at home to Brentford give them some hope of finishing mid-table to prove that April's run was no fluke.
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to BBC Match Of The Day after the 2-0 defeat to Brighton: "The first half we competed.
"We created some chances to finish, but missing the last shot, the last pass. We competed with one or two mistakes.
"The second half, in my opinion we can do better.
"We tried to turnover the result. We missed some organisation - the game started to become unpredictable and very open - we spoiled ourselves to counter-attacks.
"We played a lot with heart in the second half, but without the intelligence to control the pace.
"When the match goes to this kind of match - transitions, , we win ball, we lose the ball - this is not the game that I like because it's unpredictable.
"In the end, they punished us and they deserve to win."
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves have lost consecutive Premier League games for the first time since a run of four in January, having won eight of their 11 games in the competition since that run (D1 L2).
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Wolves' performance
What did you make of Brighton's display?
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
