Wolves made to face harsh realities of Premier League as two lucky goals secure 10-man Leicester victory
Wolves’ ambitions this season stretch far beyond mere survival but this was a rude introduction to the unforgiving environment of the Premier League.
Nuno Espirito Santo, their manager, prowled his technical area with the look of a man who had mislaid his winning lottery ticket after a first defeat since promotion, with two fortuitous goals securing Leicester victory.
Wolves dominated the opening 25 minutes, hitting the post twice and having a shot cleared off the line, while Jamie Vardy was controversially sent off midway through the second half.
But Matt Doherty’s farcical own goal and a deflected shot from James Maddison presented a lopsided view of the game to leave Nuno facing up to the harsh realities of Wolves’ new world.
Vardy will also feel frustrated after he was given a straight red card despite winning the ball from a forceful
challenge on Doherty. Referee Mike Dean made the decision instantly but two years ago Vardy would probably have stayed on the field.
Claude Puel, the Leicester manager, said: “I think it was a little tough. It was not his intention to make a foul. Too much enthusiasm and it’s a pity. It was not aggressive. He has been unlucky.”
Just two games into their Premier League return and Wolves already look nothing like a promoted team. There is no sign of any caution or even a defensive approach from Nuno and Wolves will claim many big scalps this season.
The fact they lost was a surprise, considering their excellent start. They should have been ahead twice within the first five minutes, with new signing Joao Moutinho striking the crossbar before Doherty’s shot was cleared off the line by Ben Chilwell.
Raul Jiminez, another summer acquisition, then hit the post from 20 yards and Leicester were struggling to make any headway on their own turf.
But Leicester’s goal came in the 29th minute and completely against the run of play. Marc Albrighton’s cross took a slight deflection off Conor Coady and Doherty, facing his goal, inexplicably headed the ball into the top corner.
That huge slice of fortune galvanised Leicester who improved steadily, with Maddison starting to exert influence. And the £25m signing added the second goal on the stroke of half-time, again with the help of Coady, with his shot taking a deflection off the Wolves defender to bend into the corner.
Dean offered Wolves hope, taking centre stage with his decision to send off Vardy in the 65th minute. Vardy lost possession and slid through on
Doherty with force, winning the ball but following through on the defender.
Wolves endured more frustration when Jonny Otto hit a shot against the post. Nuno threw his hands up in the air. It was one of those days.
Nuno said: “It’s disappointing. We started the game totally in control, creating chances. But we should score, we had chances. We have to work on that.”
Match details
Leicester (4-2-3-1) Schmeichel 7; Pereira 6, Maguire 7, Evans 6, Chilwell 6; Ndidi 7, Mendy 6; Albrighton 6 (Amartey 60 5), Maddison 7 (Iheanacho 82), Gray 7 (Silva 82); Vardy 6.
Subs Ward (g), Morgan, Fuchs, Ghezzal.
Booked Evans.
Sent off Vardy.
Wolves (3-4-3) Patricio 5; Bennett 5, Coady 6, Boly 6; Doherty 5 (Gibbs-White 69), Moutinho 6, Neves 7, Jonny 6; Costa 5 (Adama half-time), Jiminez 7, Jota 5 (Bonatini half-time).
Subs Ruddy (g), Saiss, Vinagre, Hause.
Booked Gibbs-White.
Referee Mike Dean (Cheshire)
