Gary O’Neil will be feeling fine after Wolverhampton Wanderers came back to beat his former club Bournemouth on Saturday, months after the manager’s controversial dismissal.
Dominic Solanke had Bournemouth in front at halftime but Matheus Cunha and Sasa Kalajdzic scored — the second coming after Lewis Cook was sent off for a headbutt — as Wolves collected the three points.
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O’Neil saved the Cherries from the drop last season but was dismissed in stunning fashion this summer as Bournemouth opted to hire Andoni Iraola.
And the boss did not choose an easy project as Wolves lost Julen Lopetegui over the Spaniard’s concerns they could not compete with their roster.
Wolves are now unbeaten in four and up to 12th on the table with 11 points, eight more than still-winless, 19th-place Bournemouth.
Sweet revenge for Gary O’Neil
Bournemouth essentially gave Gary O’Neil to Wolves, so it’s not without artistic merit that the Cherries gifted a winner O’Neil’s new club.
That’s not to say that Wolves didn’t earn this win — O’Neil’s men were superior over 90 minutes — but a bad giveaway sure helped Sasa Kaladjzic’s super sub winner.
Wolves kept 66% of the ball and took 20 of the game’s 27 shots, no doubt inspired to fire forward in favor of their boss.
Bournemouth, not Wolves, have the personnel problem now and it’s not Iraola’s doing. But O’Neil shouldn’t be worried about that, as Wolves look capable of being comfortably midtable by the end of the Premier League season.
What’s next?
Bournemouth has a monumental match versus fellow strugglers Burnley at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Wolves hosts Newcastle at 12:30pm ET the same day.
Bournemouth vs Wolves final score: 2-1
Goal: Solanke (17'), Cunha (46'), Kalajdzic (88')
Red card: Cook (54')
Bournemouth vs Wolves player ratings
Bournemouth vs Wolves player ratings (fotmob.com)
Bournemouth vs Wolves player ratings (fotmob.com)
Matheus Cunha goal
Hot knife meet butter.
Pedro Neto picks up the ball in acres of space and needs no invitation to drive forward.
He finds Matheus Cunha’s run into the box and the Brazilian
does
not
miss.
It’s a cutting finish from 17 or so yards and we are level here.
Lewis Cook red card video: Headbutt leads to dismissal
Bournemouth vs Wolves halftime analysis: 1-0 to the hosts
It looked like Wolves would be on the front foot the whole game, but Dominic Solanke’s goal really changed the game.
The first 17 minutes aside, it’s been a 50-50 affair and Wolves will feel they let early control go to waste.
Wolves have 57% possession and six of the game’s 10 shot attempts plus a slight edge in xG (0.64-0.53).
No matter, really. The Cherries are 45 minutes from a big moment in Andoni Iraola’s tenure, especially considering the man managing the other side.
Dominic Solanke goal video: Slick back leg finish against run of play
Wolves had the better of the start but all that matters only for rationalizing now because Bournemouth are ahead.
It’s two guys Gary O’Neil knows too well, as Philip Billing — still the Cherries best player — drives the right side on a rare spell of possession.
His cross to the heart of the action is let by Marcus Tavernier. Dominic Solanke is right behind him and uses his trailing leg for a pretty redirection that leaves Jose Sa helpless between the posts.
1-0 to Andoni Iraola’s men.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET (Saturday, Oct. 21)
TV: Peacock
Online: Stream Premier League on Peacock
Bournemouth lineup
Alex Scott makes his debut for the Cherries 🙌
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 21, 2023
Our team for #BOUWOL ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/3qyOyyXOcf
Wolves lineup
✌️ Two changes from #WOLAVL
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 21, 2023
🇮🇪 Doherty at right back
🇲🇱 Traore into midfield
How we line-up to face @afcbournemouth.
🐺📋 @AstroPay_OK pic.twitter.com/UTKSeU1Il1
Focus on Bournemouth, injury news
OUT: Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Philip Billing (knock), Alex Scott (knee)
Focus on Wolves, injury news
OUT: Mario Lemina (suspension), Nelson Semedo (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Hugo Bueno (hamstring)
