“Wolves’ Must-Win Clash Against Southampton Could Seal Gary O’Neil’s Fate”
“Wolves’ Missed Opportunity Against Crystal Palace: VAR Controversy and Failure to Secure First Win of the Season”
Wolves’ search for their first Premier League win of the season continues after a frustrating 2-2 draw at home against Crystal Palace. With the Eagles missing key players, including Eberechi Eze, this game represented a great opportunity for Gary O’Neil’s side to finally break their winless run. Wolves did manage to come from behind to take the lead, but they were unable to hold onto their advantage.
Marc Guehi’s equaliser left the home fans disappointed, and to add to the drama, a late Palace goal was ruled out by VAR, with the officials deeming that goalkeeper Jose Sa had two hands on the ball. Despite a strong performance at times, Wolves failed to secure the three points, leaving O’Neil under increasing pressure. With another vital match against Southampton on the horizon, Wolves’ owners will be hoping for a victory, or it could be the final straw for the manager’s future at Molineux.
For Andy Thompson and Lee Naylor, Wolves were very lucky to come away with even a point against Crystal Palace. Both pundits were critical of Wolves’ inability to see out the game after taking the lead, especially given Palace’s depleted squad. Thompson pointed out that while Wolves showed some resilience by coming from behind, their defensive frailties once again cost them, and they were fortunate not to lose after Palace’s late disallowed goal.
Naylor echoed these sentiments, stating that Wolves lacked the composure and game management needed to close out a match. Both agreed that despite the point, it felt like a missed opportunity, especially with Palace missing key players like Eberechi Eze. For O’Neil and his players, the draw will feel like a loss, and with a crucial match against Southampton looming, Thompson and Naylor’s assessments put even more pressure on the team to finally secure that elusive first win.
Wolves were told they were “lucky” to escape with a point against Crystal Palace, thanks to a late VAR decision that ruled out a potential winner for the Eagles. The disallowed goal, scored in injury time by Marc Guehi, was overturned after VAR determined that Wolves’ goalkeeper, Jose Sa, had both hands firmly on the ball, meaning the goal was judged to be offside.
This controversial call has sparked debate, with many feeling that Wolves were fortunate not to leave with nothing. The decision was a massive talking point, but former players and pundits, including Andy Thompson and Lee Naylor, were quick to suggest that Wolves’ performance had been poor enough that they were perhaps lucky to escape with a draw in the first place. Despite taking the lead after coming from behind, Wolves were unable to control the game and, at times, looked vulnerable defensively, leaving many to feel the team could have easily lost had the decision gone the other way.
For Gary O’Neil, this moment was a reminder of the fine margins that can define a team’s season, and while the draw offers a glimmer of hope, it’s clear Wolves need to improve their overall performance if they are to turn their season around.
Wolves have often found themselves at the centre of controversial decisions in recent matches, with VAR being a major point of contention. In fact, the club even tried to table a motion this season to have the technology scrapped, but they were met with no support from other clubs. Despite their objections, former Wolves full-backs Andy Thompson and Lee Naylor have suggested that, on Saturday, VAR actually worked in Wolves’ favour.
The incident in question occurred in injury time when Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta scored what looked like a last-gasp winner. However, the goal was ruled out after a foul by Daniel Munoz on Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa. VAR intervened, and the goal was disallowed.
Thompson, reflecting on the decision, admitted that it was a bit of a “let-off” for Wolves. “I’ve looked at it a couple of times, and I think we’ve got lucky,” he said. “I don’t think he’s [Sa] got hold of it. I think it’s a big let-off because I don’t think Sa really had hold of the ball.”
While Wolves may have escaped with a point, Thompson’s assessment suggests that the team might not have had the best claim to the result, despite the contentious decision. In his view, Wolves were fortunate, and it highlighted the fine line between a controversial moment going their way and one that might have cost them all three points. The disallowed goal, though, added to the growing frustration around VAR in football, but for Wolves, this time, it worked in their favour.
Thompson continued to reflect on the incident, acknowledging the fine margins that came into play. “I think Munoz had the momentum going into it, and I think we got away with that one. It’s probably the first time VAR has gone for us. If it was for us, I’d be screaming a goal. It was one of those moments with fine margins, and I think if the referee had given it, I don’t think it would have been overruled.”
Lee Naylor also shared his thoughts on the decision, admitting the tension of the moment. “We looked at each other, didn’t we, and thought, ‘Wow. We’ve got away with one.’” The pair’s reactions summed up the sentiment shared by many Wolves fans—while the VAR decision may have been controversial, it was a rare moment of fortune for a club that has often felt hard done by in similar situations.
Despite the contentious nature of the decision, it highlighted how critical such moments can be in shaping a team’s fate, and for Wolves, this time, the call went their way.
Wolves have certainly had their fair share of tough luck with controversial decisions in recent seasons, often seeing crucial moments go against them. From questionable refereeing calls to VAR rulings that have denied them points, the club has struggled to catch a break when it comes to officiating.
Given that, it was a refreshing change to see the pendulum swing in their favor on Saturday. Mateta’s late goal for Crystal Palace, which could have been a devastating blow for Wolves, was ruled out after a VAR review, much to the relief of Gary O’Neil’s side.
While some may argue that the decision was marginal, for Wolves, it was a much-needed stroke of fortune. It was a rare instance where VAR actually worked in their favor, and it allowed the team to come away with a point they might not have otherwise gotten.
After so many close calls and questionable decisions, Wolves certainly deserve a bit of luck to balance out the scales.
Thompson and Naylor’s assessment is spot on—Wolves did get away with one. Upon closer inspection, it’s clear that Sa never fully had control of the ball when Munoz’s foot made contact. The ball spilled out of his hands, and it was a fine line between a foul and a legitimate goal.
If the roles had been reversed and it was Dean Henderson in goal for Palace, with a similar situation unfolding at the other end, Wolves fans would likely be furious if a goal was ruled out in such a contentious way. It’s the kind of decision that, while it may feel fortunate for Wolves, would have sparked outrage if it had gone against them.
In the end, it’s a reminder of the fine margins in football and how controversial decisions can be a double-edged sword. While Wolves can count themselves lucky this time, had the circumstances been different, the reaction from fans would surely have been very different as well.