Wolves secured just their second win of the Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 victory at St Mary’s, condemning Southampton to a sixth straight league game without a win.
Wolves striker Raul Jimenez made the difference on the day, scoring his first goal since suffering a fractured skull back in November 2020.
Both sides had threatened in the first half without really creating too much of note and for large parts of the contest there was a distinct lack of quality in the final third.
Nathan Redmond did have the ball in the net for Southampton shortly before half-time, only to see the flag go up to signal that he was offside.
But Jimenez’s moment of brilliance was a goal worthy of winning the game when it came on the hour mark, a strike of his own making.
The Mexican raced onto a long ball from quick-thinking Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, outmuscling Jan Bednarek, flooring Mohammed Salisu, beating Bednarek once more and coolly slotting home.
Having forced Sa into a few saves, the goal knocked the stuffing out of Southampton. They huffed and puffed until the end but Wolves stood firm.
SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER RATINGS
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Alex McCarthy (GK) - 6/10 - Stood little chance with the goal and didn't actually have much else to do.
Tino Livramento (RB - 7/10 - Continued to provide excellent support to the attack. A real bright spark.
Jan Bednarek (CB) - 5/10 - Too easily outmuscled when Jimenez broke the deadlock when he should have been in control of the situation.
Mohammed Salisu (CB) - 6/10 - Good in possession at the back. Arguably could have done better when the goal was scored.
Kyle Walker-Peters (LB) - 6/10 - Did well at getting forward and actually had a couple of attempts at goal.
2. Midfielders
Mohamed Elyounoussi (RM) - 5/10 - Threatened at times but the quality wasn't there in the final third when it needed to be.
Oriol Romeu (CM) - 6/10 - Limited what Wolves could create in central areas. Actually dropped deeper into a back three in the second half.
James Ward-Prowse (CM) - 5/10 - His set-piece delivery wasn't of its usual high standards.
Nathan Redmond (LM) - 6/10 - Had the ball in the net in the first half but it was offside. Otherwise lacked a cutting edge.
3. Forwards
Che Adams (ST) - 6/10 - Had a couple of chances but a weak shot in a good position perhaps summed up a limited afternoon.
Adam Armstrong (ST) - 7/10 - A livewire up front. Tried to put Wolves defenders under pressure and was involved in Southampton's best moves.
4. Substitutes
Armando Broja (ST) - 5/10
Moussa Djenepo (LM) - 6/10
Shane Long (ST) - 5/10
WOLVES PLAYER RATINGS
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Jose Sa (GK) - 8/10 - Made some good saves, while it was also his quick thinking with a long ball that put Jimenez in on goal.
Max Kilman (CB) - 7/10 - Performed well, especially when Southampton's late attacks were largely coming from his side.
Conor Coady (CB) - 7/10 - Stood tall and led the back three as expected.
Romain Saiss (CB) - 7/10 - Crucial late block denied Southampton.
6. Midfielders
Nelson Semedo (RM) - 7/10 - Had a good chance to break the deadlock but lacked conviction in his attempt. Defended and attacked well.
Joao Moutinho (CM) - 7/10 - Kept good control of the ball in midfield and was accurate with his passing.
Leander Dendoncker (CM) - 7/10 - Strong in possession.
Marcal (LM) - 6/10 - Covered plenty of ground of the left flank but was occasionally a bit wasteful in possession.
7. Forwards
Daniel Podence (RW) - 6/10 - Important to get more minutes on the pitch.
Raul Jimenez (ST) - 8/10 - Threatened in the first half but later scored a deserved goal that showcased persistence, strength and composure.
Hwang Hee-chan (LW) - 6/10 - Improved in the second half.
8. Substitutes
Adama Traore (RW) - 6/10
Ruben Neves (CM) - 6/10
Ki-Jana Hoever (RM) - 6/10
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Source : 90min