Wolverhampton Wanderers

Gary O'Neil spoke to BBC Sport after Wolves' victory over Chelsea: "Tough place to come, [Chelsea have] an extremely talented squad, [it was] just a real belief in our group.

"We tidied up bits that worked well against Manchester United and looked much better. It was a real good team performance and an enjoyable one for us, I can't lie.

"I didn't really like us at 4-1, a little lack of focus but harsh criticism of course. It's a talented group. I really enjoyed it and the lads deserve massive credit.

"We have comeback from setbacks a lot. We suffered heartbreak three days ago after working our socks off to get back against Manchester United. But it was straight to business.

On Matheus Cunha, O'Neil added: "He's a fantastic guy. Always had quality, we know he has that. He is so humble and hard-working, all I have worked on him with is his understanding of situations. A Premier League hat-trick speaks volumes of the improvements he's made.

"A big win of course, but back down to earth very quickly with Brentford next. We need to make sure the boys are ready to go again."

• Chelsea suffered their 10th Premier League defeat of the season, with today their 23rd game of the campaign. Only in the 1993-94 season (after 18 games) have they reached 10 defeats in fewer games.

• Wolves registered their first top-flight away win against Chelsea since March 1979 (2-1), while it’s the first time they’ve completed a league double over the Blues since 1974-75.

• This was the first time Chelsea had opened the scoring but gone in behind at half time of a Premier League home game since April 2021 (a 2-5 defeat against West Brom). Overall, it was only the second time the Blues have been behind at the break in the Premier League game this season (vs. Liverpool and Wolves) – the fewest of any team.

• Wolves’ Matheus Cunha became only the fourth visiting player to score a Premier League hat-trick against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, after Kanu for Arsenal in 1999, Robin van Persie for Arsenal in 2011, and Sergio Aguero for Man City in 2016.

• Chelsea defender Thiago Silva (39y 135d) became the oldest player to score a goal in the Premier League since Dean Windass for Hull City in November 2008 (39y 235d v Portsmouth).

Matheus Cunha scored a hat-trick as Wolves came from behind to stun Chelsea and replace the Blues in the top half of the Premier League table.

Cole Palmer gave Mauricio Pochettino's hosts a 19th-minute lead when he calmly slotted past Jose Sa following Moises Caicedo's defence-splitting pass.

But Wolves levelled less than three minutes later when Cunha's shot took a significant deflection off Thiago Silva and wrong-footed Djordje Petrovic.

The turnaround was complete shortly before the break, courtesy of another deflected shot, as Rayan Ait-Nouri met Pedro Neto's cutback and sent the ball in off Axel Disasi.

The home supporters greeted the half-time whistle with boos but Chelsea were unable to produce a fightback of their own, instead falling two goals behind when the electric Neto beat Silva for pace and picked out Cunha for his second.

The Brazilian then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after being brought down by Malo Gusto, sending Petrovic the wrong way with eight minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt before Silva headed in a late consolation.

Wolves' thoroughly deserved victory moved Gary O'Neil's side up to 10th, one point and one place above Chelsea after 23 games.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Chelsea fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Wolves fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are four games being played in the Premier League on Sunday and we will bring you every moment.

Listen to match commentaries and get live text updates here

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BBC pundit Chris Sutton is taking on Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh for this weekend's Premier League predictions.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Chelsea simply have to respond after their defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday. I was at Anfield for BBC Radio 5 Live and they were so poor and a long way off Jurgen Klopp's side.

With the money Chelsea have spent, they need to have a much better return than that and I think qualifying for Europe in some shape or form is probably their target from here.

Mauricio Pochettino needs to deliver that, I think, but I am still not sure about them and whether they are up to it.

I base these predictions on what I see, and I was painting a positive picture about Chelsea after the little run they went on before the Liverpool game. But Anfield was a reminder of where they are at and, as well as their defensive issues, they are not a free-scoring, nor free-flowing side.

Wolves lost to Manchester United on Thursday to end their unbeaten run but we know they will be well organised and carry a threat - whereas Chelsea are still a bitty team, and we don't know what we will get from them from one week to the next.

Ed's prediction: 0-1

It seems weird this fixture is a mid-table scrap but that is where Chelsea are at the moment, and we saw against Liverpool they have a lot of defensive flaws. I think Wolves will cause them problems and I am going to go for an upset here, partly because Pedro Neto has been one of my favourite players to watch this season so I'd like to see him make a menace of himself.

Read the full predictions here

Image source, PA Media

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil says any complaints about Wanderers' failure to sign a recognised striker in the January transfer window will not benefit anyone at the club and he is committed to getting the most from the squad currently at his disposal.

Fabio Silva and Sasa Kalajdzic were allowed to leave on loan and, while young winger Noha Lemina arrived from Paris St-Germain, O'Neil has said he is unlikely to make an immediate impact at first-team level.

Chelsea's Armando Broja was a reported target, but he eventually moved on loan to Fulham on deadline day.

"We couldn't afford to go to where other clubs were able to go to without putting ourselves at risk," said O'Neil. "It's the position the club told me they were in when they spoke to me.

"I was hopeful that letting a couple go early and clearing some wages would give us some room to do something. It turns out wages wouldn't have been a problem. We could have brought people in on wages but some of the fees, whether it's obligations or loan fees, penalties for people not playing - things like that proved too much of a hurdle for us and we couldn't get anything done.

"Of course we could have thrown our toys out of the pram, thrown a strop and demanded things, but all of that would have been jeopardising the good of the club and where we're trying to go.

"Huge respect for this club and what needs to be done. I'm delighted with the group again. We just need to keep pushing and find a way to maximise what we’ve got."

After a pulsating 4-3 loss at home to Manchester United on Thursday, 11th-placed Wolves return to Premier League action at Chelsea on Sunday.

"The amount of effort that went into the Manchester United game and the amount of work the boys put in will take some recovering from," O'Neil said.

"It's important we get the lads recovered as quickly as possible and then going to Stamford Bridge will be a tough test."

• Chelsea are unbeaten in their past 10 home league games against Wolves (W6 D4), since a 2-1 loss in March 1979.

• Following their 2-1 win at Molineux on 24 December, Wolves are looking to complete a league double over Chelsea for the first time since 1974-75.

• Wolves beat Brentford 4-1 in their most recent Premier League game in London, ending a 14-game winless run in the capital (D3 L11). They last won consecutive away league games against London sides in January/February 2022, the first one of which was at Brentford.

• Chelsea have won their past four Premier League home games, as many as they had in their previous 22 at Stamford Bridge (D9 L9). They last won more consecutively at home between February and July 2020 (six).

• Wolves have kept just two clean sheets in their past 27 Premier League away games, beating Everton 1-0 in August and drawing 0-0 at Brighton in their last away match. They not recorded consecutive shutouts on the road since January 2022, the first of which was at Brighton.

• Chelsea have scored a penalty in five of their past seven Premier League home games, with the exceptions being a 2-0 loss to Brentford and a 2-0 win over Sheffield United.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra match commentary of Chelsea v Wolves at 14:00 GMT on Sunday

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves fan Ryan Leister says Gary O'Neil's side "showed character and heart" as their five-game unbeaten run came to an end against Manchester United.

"I can't deny that in the first half the game should have been over but O'Neil has really instilled some belief because this team just doesn't stop," Leister told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Yes, I'm disappointed to concede a losing goal in that fashion but the team showed character and heart, and it's our first loss of the year. I am gutted but I am really proud of them.

"We lost our manager a few days before the season and most people would have taken finishing 17th, but now we're closer to a European spot than relegation.

"It's a great season and O'Neil deserves a lot of credit for what he has done."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

We asked you for your thoughts on Thursday's Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Ian: They were all over us in the first half. Don't know what O'Neil said in the dressing room at half-time, but whatever it was, they came out fighting and nearly got a draw.

Kath: We play some really nice stuff and I’m so proud of the progression under O’Neil. A loss but an admirable defeat. It hurts but the bigger picture is very positive.

Mike: Absolute rubbish in the first half. Excellent second-half performance but I can’t believe we let them score straight after we had scored twice.

Louis: Why was Casemiro not shown a card for a clear and obvious tackle that led to a penalty? Surely that should have been a second yellow? Also, what happened to the rule about players not surrounding a referee during a stoppage of play unless it's the team captains? Has that gone out the door? I saw at least seven Manchester United players around the ref in his ear.

Man Utd fans

Bobby: Some great individual performances in Mainoo, Garnacho, Rashford and Shaw but I have some serious worries about Erik ten Hag's tactics. Bringing off players like Rashford and Garnacho for Antony and Maguire when Wolves were on the up just invited all the pressure. Avoidable! Much-improved performance but starting to question the manager more after every game.

Jason: I thought we were in control until the farcical decision from the referee and VAR officials. How can you look at that on a repeat and think that it is a penalty? Ludicrous. I’m happy we come away with the three points but again, overshadowed by inconsistency with VAR.

John: Antony should never play for United again. He is awful. I don’t understand why Amad is not getting a chance. A decent United performance but they need to kill teams off and shut up shop. Progress and good character to win it, but still a lot to work on.

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves defensive midfielder Joe Hodge has completed a loan move to Championship side QPR until the end of the season.

He returned from injury this autumn and, after helping Wolves into the FA Cup fourth round against Brentford, he now heads out on loan in the search of regular game time.

The 21-year-old was integrated into the Wolves first team last season, making 11 appearances with six of those coming in the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil speaking to TNT Sports:

"I was proud of what they produced. Effort, quality, togetherness. Bundles of it. Disappointed with some of it.

"First half got away from us and didn't stick with what we were trying to do. Second half I think we were great and we dominated. Just a couple of details really.

"The corner goal is disappointing and then to concede from the throw-in at the end, that's not how we defend from a throw-in.

"We look a really good side at times and we just need to keep trying to improve and we don't have long to dust ourselves down for the next one."

Emma Smith, BBC Sport

An anonymous first half, a rousing second period - and a chaotic conclusion. This was ultimately a sickener for Wolves.

They would have moved above United with victory here, but instead fell to their first home defeat in nine league matches since losing to Liverpool on 16 September.

Having been fortunate to still be in the contest following a one-sided first half, they improved following the break as Lisandro Martinez cleared off the line.

Andre Onana then denied Craig Dawson's deflected effort, making an unconventional save with the side of his face.

But Gary O'Neil continues to endure a poor record against United in his coaching career, now having lost all four of his meetings without his team scoring.

Wolves' loss at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season was dramatic enough - but this was on another level.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Robinson, former Tottenham and England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live:

"What an incredible goal, what an incredible game, everyone inside Molineux thought Wolves had gotten back into this game, but Manchester United don't know when they're beaten. Young Mainoo, it's such a cultured finish, a brilliant goal deserving to win any game.

"An absolutely brilliant football match, a proper Premier League classic. You have to give Gary O'Neil so much credit for how Wolves played in the second half. The roof came off Molineux when Neto scored, but that goal from Mainoo takes some doing.

"People at Molineux tonight will look back and say 'wow, I was there'.

"It was an incredible finish and as soon as you can, go and find the platform to watch that game on. It's the finish, it's the ability to dribble through players and the confidence to do that.

"Mainoo thought 'I'm going to win this', a fabulous goal to cap off a brilliant game."

• Four of the last five 90th minute winning goals in the Premier League by players aged 18 or younger have been for Manchester United: Federico Macheda (April 2009 vs Aston Villa), Marcus Rashford (August 2016 vs Hull), Alejandro Garnacho (November 2022 vs Fulham) and Kobbie Mainoo (February 2024 vs Wolves).

• Manchester United have won three of their first four matches in 2024 in all competitions (D1), after ending 2023 with just two wins in nine matches (D2 L5).

• Wolves suffered their first home Premier League defeat since losing 3-1 to Liverpool in September, ending a run of eight successive unbeaten games at Molineux.

• Rasmus Hojlund has now both scored and assisted in each of his last two Premier League appearances – at the age of 20 years and 362 days, he is the youngest United player to achieve this, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo (aged 21 in 2007).

• Manchester United have conceded two or more goals in five consecutive league games for the first time since November 1977 (run of six).

• Gary O’Neil has lost all four of his Premier League managerial matches against Manchester United (two with Bournemouth, two with Wolves). He has lost more Premier League games against the Red Devils than any other team.

• Marcus Rashford has either scored (3) or assisted (1) in each of his last four Premier League appearances for United, his best run of games with a goal or assist since January/February 2023 (five in a row).

Kobbie Mainoo scored a sensational 97th-minute winner as Manchester United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 at Molineux in a Premier League classic.

Wolves had pulled themselves level having been 2-0 down at half-time and 3-1 behind on 85 minutes, but United took the three points thanks to 18-year-old Mainoo.

Marcus Rashford had opened the scoring five minutes into his United return, having been absent from the FA Cup fourth round with illness amid reports he had missed training following a night out in Belfast, before Rasmus Hojlund doubled the lead.

Pablo Sarabia pulled one back from the penalty spot, before Scott McTominay seemingly made it safe for the visitors by heading in a corner with 15 minutes left shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Wolves captain Max Kilman ensured a grandstand finish by scoring from close range following a corner.

Then, in the sixth of nine added minutes, Neto struck home past the wrong-footed Andre Onana as United were caught on the break.

Wolves celebrated wildly - but it proved premature as Mainoo had the final word in a remarkable game.

Erik ten Hag's side move back into the top seven after ending a run of four away league matches without winning and are now eight points off the Champions League places, while Wolves stay 11th.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Wolves fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, United fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Wolves midfielder Joe Hodge is set to join QPR on loan for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old is on the bench for Wolves’ Premier League encounter with Manchester United right now but will complete the switch immediately afterwards.

Hodge has only made two appearances so far this season, most recently in the FA Cup third-round replay against Brentford on 16 January.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is keen to play more often and manager Gary O’Neil has agreed to this.

With Armando Broja due to join Fulham on loan from Chelsea, it appears the transfer window will close with Wolves missing out on the striker Gary O'Neil was hoping to sign.

That means youngster Nathan Fraser is set to remain at Molineux.

It was thought that Fraser might leave on loan for the second half of the season but he gives O'Neil the striking option he will now need.

There are two games being played in the Premier League on Thursday and we will bring you every moment.

Listen to match commentaries and follow text updates here

All times are GMT

I met a scout at a game against Brentford and when he mentioned his club, he said; "We’re frightened to death of breaking any rules, so it looks like we can’t do much at all."

That tells you everything.

Everyone is very limited - there are few ins and outs and a few swap deals but nothing significant.

Usually the big deals have a knock-on effect as it releases a couple and we get movement, but it’s been very quiet and agents have not been that busy.

I think there are lots of late deals to happen but will we see a bigger one? I don’t know.

Chelsea's Armando Broja seems to be getting all of the speculation at this point in the day.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford