Wolverhampton Wanderers returned to winning ways against West Ham on Saturday courtesy of Raul Jimenez’s superb finish. Jimenez struck just before the hour-mark at Molineux to clinch a third straight win on home soil for Bruno Lage. Wolves have won five of their last seven in the Premier League and are now hot on the heels of the Champions League places.
Bruno Lage explained: “Daniel can give us a dynamic inside (game) and today we needed to find a dynamic inside but not too much. We needed to play more in half spaces and he does very well in that situation. After that, we looked at the opponent. When you look at the four defenders, especially the two central defenders, from West Ham, they are big guys so we need to put guys with agility in these one against one situations. I think he’s one of the best guys we have in our squad to do that.”
It wasn’t just Podence’s inclusion that surprised people. It’s stating the bleeding obvious but there cannot be a Premier League player who is more important to his club than Jimenez. The striker had an extra 24 hours to recover from his final international game with Mexico, in comparison to last month, so there was never any chance Lage would bench him against West Ham. Jimenez repaid his manager with a wonderful winning goal to bring up his fifth goal contribution of the Premier League season. If you take Jimenez’s goals and assists away, Wolves would be tied in 17th place with Leeds United on just 11 points.
Bruno Lage said: “It’s so important for you guys to watch the goals of Raul, but also the way he works for the team, the way he presses and works. He works so hard for the team, not just the offensive part but the defensive part. He deserves everything he is living in this moment.”
